Introduction
Your calendar is already full since a client trip is coming up and your dentist has now said that a wisdom tooth has to be removed. For many working people in Dubai, the procedure is only half the problem; the other half consists of arranging the extraction around meetings, deadlines and flights without making the recovery any more difficult than it has to be.
The main source of stress is the uncertainty about how the week ahead will turn out. When you know how long healing generally takes, have worked out which day is suitable for the appointment and when it is sensible to fly, planning becomes a lot simpler. This guide focuses on the practical aspects for those who need to keep work going.
Table of Contents
- How Much Time Off Will You Need?
- Choosing the Right Day for Your Wisdom Tooth Extraction
- Flying and Business Travel After Wisdom Teeth Removal
- Getting Through the First Work Week
- A Simple Pre-Appointment Checklist
- When to Call Your Dentist
- Conclusion
- Contact Us
How Much Time Off Will You Need?
Planning time off is usually one of the first questions people ask once a dentist recommends wisdom tooth extraction. There is no one-size-fits-all solution since the outcome depends on the particular tooth and the method of its removal. If a wisdom tooth has completely broken through the gum, it can usually be taken out in a simple manner and most people are then able to return to their normal desk duties within a day or two. In the case of an impacted wisdom tooth, things are quite different; if the tooth is stuck beneath the gum or only partly embedded in the jawbone, your dentist might have to cut open the gum and, in some cases, remove a small amount of bone. This is generally what is referred to as wisdom tooth surgery, and in such cases recovery takes longer and it is often several days before you feel like yourself again.
Your role is important as well; a person who works at a laptop is generally able to carry out simple tasks more quickly than someone who is talking all the time, for example a sales manager or a teacher. The muscles in the jaw, which are used for chewing, speaking and smiling, can become stiff for a few days.
Before you book an appointment, ask your dentist a straightforward question such as: on the basis of my X-ray, how many days should I plan to rest? A panoramic X-ray and, in a number of cases, a 3D CBCT scan reveal the position of the tooth and how near it is to the surrounding nerves. This information enables your dentist to provide you with a realistic estimate.
Choosing the Right Day for Your Wisdom Tooth Extraction
The right time to have a procedure will make life easier for you. As many offices in Dubai have Saturday and Sunday as days off, scheduling your appointment for a Thursday or Friday allows you to recover during the most difficult phase of recovery. Swelling typically reaches its peak between the second and third day, so having the procedure on a Thursday means that the period when you are puffed up will usually occur over the weekend rather than during a meeting on a Monday.
It’s best to avoid making bookings around the time of a major presentation, a product launch, or an important client visit. Although recovery usually proceeds without complications, a deadline must not cause you to go back to work before you’re ready.
If your dentist recommends sedation, then you should ask a friend to drive you home or pre-book a taxi and adhere to your dentist’s instructions as to when you can drive again. Those patients who are fasting during Ramadan should talk to their dentist about the timing. In the early stages of recovery you are supposed to drink water, eat soft food and sometimes take medicine at fixed times, which is difficult to arrange during fasting hours.
Flying and Business Travel After Wisdom Teeth Removal
Dubai functions as a travel hub and many of the professionals based there travel by air for work. Following the removal of your wisdom teeth, your dentist might advise you to stay put for at least one or two days before flying, and for a longer period after having had wisdom teeth extracted. A few individuals find that there is increased throbbing when the cabin pressure changes and the dry air on the plane provides no relief to a mouth that is healing.
The main issue is distance; problems like dry socket usually appear between the second and fourth day and are much more difficult to deal with when you’re in a hotel room in a different country. If possible, keep the first week free from long-haul trips.
If the trip can’t be moved, then you should tell your dentist about your dates as early as possible so that the appointment can be arranged to fit around them. Take your prescribed medicines in your hand luggage together with a few pieces of gauze, bring a copy of your aftercare instructions, and choose soft meals for during the flight. Make sure you save the clinic’s number in case you need advice while you’re away.
Getting Through the First Work Week
It is usual for most people to return to their desk jobs while they are still recovering, and this can generally be managed with a few modifications. Since swelling and slight bruising on the cheek are common, you may want to opt for audio calls instead of video for a couple of days. Make sure you have a water bottle by your desk and drink some of the water throughout the day, particularly during the hot summer weather.
Some thought should be given to business lunches; order soft foods like soup, yoghurt, scrambled eggs or mashed potatoes and eat in such a way as to avoid chewing near the extraction site. Don’t use straws since the suction may disturb the blood clot which protects the socket.
Since both smoking and shisha involve sucking in smoke and this can increase the risk of developing a dry socket, you should avoid them for as long as your dentist advises. You should postpone drinking alcohol if you are taking painkillers or antibiotics and also avoid going to the gym for a few days because heavy lifting could cause the bleeding to start again. When you’re sleeping, using an extra pillow to raise your head may help reduce swelling.
A Simple Pre-Appointment Checklist
A few small tasks the day before can make the first 48 hours calmer:
- Arrange your calendar and put in an out-of-office reply for the first day at least.
- Find out from the clinic if they are able to produce a medical certificate for your employer.
- Get some soft food, ice packs and any medicines that your dentist recommends.
- Inform your manager that you might not respond for a couple of days.
When to Call Your Dentist
It is normal to experience some soreness, swelling and a little oozing on the first day after the treatment. Since all procedures carry certain risks, these may include bleeding, infection, dry socket and, less commonly, numbness in the lip or tongue if a tooth is near a nerve. Your dentist will tell you which of these risks apply to you. If you notice any of the following, please call the clinic.
- Pain that gets worse after the third day instead of easing
- Bleeding that continues despite firm pressure on gauze
- Fever, a bad taste or pus near the site
- Numbness that lingers well after the anaesthetic should have worn off
Conclusion
It’s possible to have your wisdom teeth removed while leading a busy professional life if you plan ahead. Choose a day when you can take some time to rest, avoid long flights for the first week if at all possible, and make adjustments to your meetings and meals for a few days. Since recovery times vary from person to person, it’s better to allow some flexibility rather than set a fixed date for returning.
Contact Us
If you want to arrange your wisdom tooth extraction to suit your work and travel commitments, you should contact the team at Magnum Dental Clinic in JVC.
Magnum Dental Clinic, JVC
Address: Arcadia Tower, Shop 2, Beside CART Supermarket, Jumeirah Village Circle, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Phone: +971 50 719 3374
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