Getting your wisdom teeth removed is a common oral milestone, and usually not as bad as you think. Recovery time depends on your general oral hygiene, your body's ability to heal, and other factors, such as your age and how long the extraction itself takes. Some discomfort may occur for the first few days, though some people have little to no pain after surgery, according to the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons.
However, smoking after wisdom teeth removal is definitely not a good idea — it can cause complications leading to infection and extended recovery time.
How Smoking Leads to Complications
In addition to the act of smoking which can interrupt the healing process, any use of tobacco products after oral surgery can delay healing and increase the risk of complications. This is because chemicals in cigarettes or other forms of tobacco may prevent or slow healing and contaminate the wound site. The Mayo Clinic suggests that if you smoke or use tobacco, don't do so for at least 48 hours after surgery, and as long as you can after that.