If you tune into social media, wisdom teeth extractions get the reputation for causing pain and a lot of swelling. But is it really that bad?  Talking to a few students who have had their wisdom teeth out, it has made it seem like it’s not too bad.

Kendal Fink ’26 talked about how she didn’t have much pain after her wisdom teeth extraction. “You’re very out of it and can’t really feel much. You’re just drowsy and high because of the pain medicine.” Kendal had also talked about her healing process and how she was unable to eat for a couple days. “ I was in pain the next day and I ate a lot of ice cream but I don’t remember much about my wisdom teeth.”

Rossalyn Buck ’23 explained how the experience wasn’t awful. “I didn’t think it was that bad at all,” she said. “I didn’t have much swelling or bruising, because I iced a lot and I was able to eat normally the next day.” 

People on TikTok tend to take videos after their surgeries when they just come out of the anesthesia and make it seem like a big deal. “I definitely wasn’t normal right after I woke up so that part was real, but social media makes it seem bigger than it actually is,” Buck said.

According to the website for local oral surgeon, Dr. Hank C. Ford, there are some pointers on how to make the healing process better.  Buck had a few pointers herself to help the wisdom teeth healing process. “Ice a lot for the swelling and take ibuprofen regularly to stay ahead of the pain,” Buck said. “But other than that, make sure you clean your mouth so you don’t get an infection.”