Wisdom teeth removal 

If you go to hospital for the wisdom tooth extraction, you should be able to go home the same day, even if you have a general anaesthetic.

If you do undergo a general anaesthetic, you should arrange to have a friend or relative to help you get home afterwards, as you may be disorientated and must not drive.

If you cannot arrange friends or family to pick you up, make sure you arrange transport with the hospital.

You will probably have some soreness and stiffness in the jaw afterwards, as well as some swelling inside and outside the mouth, which can last for anything between a few days and two weeks.

You will be given painkillers to help relieve any discomfort and may also be given antibiotics to help prevent an infection. You will also be given an antiseptic mouthwash to use at home.

It can take a few days to get back to normal, but your mouth and jaw could still feel sore for a couple of weeks. You should expect to take a few days off work at first until you are feeling better, while avoiding any strenuous exercise or activities.

What can I do to help my recovery?
Do not rinse your mouth for 24 hours after the operation, as you could dislodge the blood clot that forms over the wound. If this happens, the healing process will slow down (the blood clot seals the wound until stronger gum starts to form over the top).

After 24 hours, rinse your mouth regularly but very gently with warm salt water (a level teaspoon of kitchen salt in a cup of warm water) to keep the wound free from bacteria and food particles.

Other things you can do to make your recovery faster include eating soft or liquid foods only for the first few days and, if you do have to chew, make sure you use the teeth on the other side of your mouth.

Keep your mouth as clean as possible for the first couple of weeks.

You should not smoke, as it can delay the healing process. Smokers are also more likely to develop a complication called dry socket (alveolar osteitis), which can be very painful and delays healing (1).

Infolinks:
British Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
British Dental Association
British Dental Health Foundation

Reference:
1) Nusair & Younis
Prevalence, Clinical Picture, and Risk Factors of Dry Socket
The Journal of Contemporary Dental Practice, Volume 8, No. 3, Mar 1 2007