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AIBU?

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Original poster

WIBU to go camping the day after having dental surgery?

48 replies

mopandsmiff · 04/09/2026 12:42

I’m having an impacted wisdom tooth out (actually - it’s a coronectomy not a full extraction). I’m having it done under local anaesthetic.

I’ve just had the date and it’s the Thursday morning before I am due to go camping with friends (Friday night to Sunday afternoon). We will be doing some walking (circular routes), sleeping in tents and cooking on stoves.

I’ve never had an operation like this done before, but I know I will be sore and only able to eat soft food.

I would be gutted to miss the trip and to miss seeing my friends. I also feel that a dental procedure is a bit of a lame reason to drop out.

But, a colleague who’s had a wisdom tooth out has told me I would mad to go and will want to be in bed. My mum also thinks I should cancel.

If you have had surgery on a wisdom tooth, what do you think? AIBU to plan on going?

OP posts:
BeEagerRubyBird · 04/09/2026 12:44

Mine was a full extraction so I don't know how much the coronectomy will change things, but there is absolutely no way I would have wanted to do this after!

Misshollys · 04/09/2026 12:45

I was feeling pretty miserable after mine, I don't think I would have been up to camping. Also you have to be careful of the site of the extraction and that might be difficult in a camping situation. Sorry,

Happysnappydays · 04/09/2026 12:45

Is there no chance of moving the date of the Op? I was off work after having wisdom tooth removed I didn't expect to me but I was in no state to leave the house

Calypsocuckoo · 04/09/2026 12:46

i have had surgical removal of a wisdom tooth and I was still in bed recovering with a lot of painkillers the day after. That was under a general though, I have had one out under local at the dentist and that was not as bad but I wouldn’t have wanted to be going for long walks after it. You won’t be able to eat enough to sustain you and might also need some string painkillers

Littlegreywolfcub · 04/09/2026 12:47

Nope - if you can't eat normally how will you be able to do a big walk/s?

I had 4 wisdom teeth out at the same time which is worse I guess - but couldn't eat for like a week at least. Lived on soup and milky drinks.

Faceonthewrongfoot · 04/09/2026 12:48

I had a wisdom tooth removed at the dentist, and whilst it was a bit sore for the rest of the day, it was basically fine after that and I would have been able to do this no problem.

So i think the answer is probably that it just depends, and you will have no way of knowing how you will feel until its been done.... So I would probably err on the side of assuming its not possible, and try and move the surgery until after your trip if you can!

Deadleaves77 · 04/09/2026 12:48

Your not going to harm yourself going camping but you may feel crap. Some people feel fine after a coronectomy on just paracetemol, others can be in a lot of pain. It really depends on how impacted the tooth is.

Id just be prepared that you might not feel up to going

AnywayYouLike · 04/09/2026 12:49

Even of you feel fairly 'ok' after the extractiin your body really needs to rest, to give your socket/gums the best chance to heal. Proper healing requires a bit of babying the socket. I would be planning a weekend of rest, and soup, to be honest. I have had extractions and each time I felt bruised, sore and very tired.

ThisMustBeMyDream · 04/09/2026 12:49

I had 2 teeth our recently, including a wisdom tooth. The day after I was remarkably chipper on my pain killers. However, the 2nd day was down hill as I was tired, grumpy, hot and generally not wanting to be near the human race! I did have a GA though so not sure if it was perhaps the effects of that.
The food thing was tricky for me also.
I'd say to probably not go. But could you go and come home easily enough if feeling rubbish? Honestly, I'd say don't. But that's just me.

Casualuser · 04/09/2026 12:51

You need to cancel.

Arcticsway · 04/09/2026 12:55

I was back at work the day after having my wisdom tooth extracted under local anaesthetic. I took pain killers for a couple of days and was careful with eating but felt pretty much okay, I wasn't unwell or incapacitated.

Can you wait and decide how you feel on the day? If you go and then feel unwell, could you get home easily?

Octavia64 · 04/09/2026 12:57

You may or not be in pain but I couldn’t eat anything solid for a few days. Lived on soup and ice creams.

so food may be an issue

ThatGladTiger · 04/09/2026 12:57

i don’t think you’re meant to do anything to get your blood pumping which may disturb the clot and get a dry socket. Which is awful!

So def no hiking. You don’t want to be on a campsite and have an issue.

Maybe call the dentist and see what they say? Or can you move the appointment?

Original poster
mopandsmiff · 04/09/2026 13:01

Oh dear, not really the answers I was hoping for! How disappointing.

I guess I could wait and see how I feel, but I was going to give my friend a lift, so she will need to make other plans if I’m not going. If I let them know one way or another it seems fairer, and less faff.

OP posts:
Original poster
mopandsmiff · 04/09/2026 13:02

It’s about 3 hours drive, so I could get back home, but not that quickly.

OP posts:
Arcticsway · 04/09/2026 13:14

As you've got a 3 hour drive plus camping plus hiking, I probably wouldn't. It's just bad timing unfortunately.

somanychristmaslights · 04/09/2026 13:36

It really depends. I had mine out and I was so swollen, my lips didn’t match up! 🤣. I was in so much pain, kept having blood in my mouth etc. honestly it was worse than childbirth. Whereas my friend had the same tooth out, absolutely no issues, she barely noticed anything!!

OnTheBoardwalk · 04/09/2026 13:39

Do you have to do the hiking bit? Can you not stay at the tent and catch up with your friends there?

user293948849167 · 04/09/2026 14:31

I’d warn your friends that you will have to wait and see what you feel like.
You will probably feel quite bad tbh but maybe going Saturday morning and only staying one night would be an option?

Hetko · 04/09/2026 14:36

I had 4 out together under GA and was fine afterwards. Could eat normally and just took paracetamol. But from reading these replies it looks like it can vary a lot so you probably won't know until after how you'll be!

BillieWiper · 04/09/2026 14:40

I didn't even notice when they took out my top left wisdom.

Just use a salt water rinse, bring that with you. Use it after eating and you'll be fine. And brush around the area without touching it.

Konstantine8364 · 04/09/2026 14:47

Let your friend know and then wait and see! I had 3 teeth out under general when I was at uni and I was eating the pizza the same evening and feeling fine! They had been growing sideways through my face for years and causing me so much pain, the pain from the holes left behind was way less and I felt great. You can't predict if you will be ok to go or not, so just play it by ear. If it's 2 nights away you could always just go for one?

JustGotToKeepOnKeepingOn · 04/09/2026 15:44

I had all four of my impacted wisdom teeth out under general anaesthetic and I’d have gone! I was a bit swollen and bruised but fine.

didgeridid · 04/09/2026 15:49

I had a tooth removed and was a bit achy on the day, absolutely fine the day after. I guess it depends on the individual.

Any1ForTennis · 04/09/2026 15:51

I was back at my desk job the next day but couldn't eat anything chunkier than blended soup.

Mine took 6 hours to stop proper bleeding but still had some seepage the next day.

Personally, I wouldn't risk it.