What Makes You Loopy After Wisdom Teeth Removal?

What makes you loopy after wisdom teeth removal? Understand why it happens, how to manage it, and when to be concerned.

So, you’re feeling a little different after having your wisdom teeth taken out? 

Maybe you’re giggling uncontrollably, saying random things, or just feeling like your head’s floating somewhere else entirely. 

You’re not alone. 

The sensation of feeling “loopy” is something most people experience after this super common dental procedure, and it can leave you wondering, What on earth is going on with me? 

Having been there myself, and having had a sibling who was hilariously loopy post-op, I can reassure you: it is not as weird as it feels. 

In this post, we are going in-depth as to why this is such a common phenomenon. 

By the end, you’ll know exactly what’s happening, how to manage it, and when—if ever—you should be concerned. 

Let’s explore this together, just as we would explore how stress and productivity in the workplace can affect our daily lives.

What Does It Mean to Be Feeling ‘Loopy’?

Before we dive into the science, let’s define what we mean here by “loopy.” It’s that out-of-it, slightly dazed, and sometimes silly feeling that makes you say or do things you wouldn’t normally do. Think of your brain having temporarily been set on “vacation mode.”

Here’s a quick snapshot of how it may feel:

• Slurred speech: You may sound like you’ve had a few too many cocktails.
• Uncontrollable giggles or heightened emotions—as in, yes, even tears count!
• Foggy ideas, or as if you were in a dream.
• Unsteady movements, as if one is walking upon a boat rocking in the waves.

I’ll never forget, right after having my wisdom teeth taken out, asking the nurse if I could “buy a spaceship” because “Earth seems overrated.” Embarrassing? Sure. But it’s a perfect example of just how your brain can act up post-surgery.

The Role of Anesthesia: Your Loopy Culprit

And the top reason for feeling loopy? Anesthesia. Whether it’s general anesthesia—where you’re completely unconscious—or local anesthesia, where only the surgical area is numbed—the drugs used play a significant role in how your body and mind feel after surgery.

How Anesthesia Works

In other words, anesthesia hijacks your nervous system to block pain and, in general anesthesia, knock you out cold. Putting your brain on pause mode so that you neither feel nor remember the surgery.

• General Anesthesia: This is where a medley of drugs renders one unconscious and unaware of the world. The grogginess and disorientation associated with waking up are a direct result of these medications leaving your system.
• Local Anesthesia with Sedation: Even if you’re not fully asleep, sedatives like nitrous oxide (laughing gas) or IV sedation can create a dreamy, out-of-body experience.

Why You Feel Loopy

Anesthesia does not simply “turn off” at the end of surgery; rather, it wears off as your body metabolizes the drugs. During this time, your brain is in a transitional phase and can lead to:

• Altered perception of reality.
• Poor memory, which is foggy or fragmented.
• A euphoric or giggly feeling, depending on how your brain reacts to the drugs.

When my sister had her wisdom teeth extracted, she literally spent 10 minutes begging me to believe that our dog was an undercover spy. Literally. Needless to say, anesthesia doesn’t discriminate when it comes to unleashing your imagination!

Medications Contributing to the Feeling

But that loopy sensation doesn’t end with the anesthesia. Painkillers and sedatives prescribed post-surgery can keep the party going.

Common Medications

Physicians commonly use potent pain medications, such as hydrocodone and oxycodone, for several days postoperatively. These opioids can effectively diminish pain but may also be associated with side effects including dizziness, somnolence, and mild euphoria.

• Sedatives or Anti-anxiety medications: If you were given medication to tranquilize you before surgery, it may still be contributing to a loopy feeling.
• Nitrous oxide, or laughing gas, is well-known for making people giggle. It will also remain in the system for a little while longer and continue to make one feel amused.

Example

Think of it this way: your brain is like a computer. Painkillers are just the programs that slow down everything to take the edge off. And while that “lag” is good for pain, it also means your thoughts and reactions aren’t quite as sharp, leading to that loopy feeling.

Other Factors That Could Make You Loopy

While anesthesia and medication are the main culprits, other factors may be contributing to your woozy state:

• Dehydration: Surgery can dehydrate your body, and dehydration starts to make you feel lightheaded or disoriented.
• Low Blood Sugar: If you were advised to fast prior to surgery, your blood sugar may have plummeted, which would explain that out-of-it sensation.
• Stress or Anxiety: Stress related to surgery can heighten the level of cortisol, either enhancing the effect of medications or leaving a patient exhausted after surgery.

My Experience

I remember, right after surgery, feeling like I’d run some marathon, exhausted, foggy, and weirdly emotional. Turns out I hadn’t eaten for almost 12 hours, and my body was just really screaming for some nutrients and hydration.

Is It Normal? When Should You Be Concerned?

Feeling loopy is usually harmless and temporary. Generally speaking, within a few hours, at most a couple of days, you’re usually back to normal.

Yet, it is also good to know when this feeling might really signal something more serious. Here’s when to consult your dentist or doctor:

• Confusion or memory difficulties that persist for more than 24–48 hours.
• Severe dizziness or fainting spells.
• Hallucinations or very high mood swings.
• Difficulty breathing or swelling that doesn’t go away may be signs of an allergic reaction.

Reassurance

To most, feelin’ loopy makes simple side effects silly. Lean into the silly, but don’t hesitate to touch base with your health provider if that feeling is off.

Managing the ‘Loopy’ Feeling

Although you can’t completely avoid feeling loopy after surgery, there are a few things you can do to manage it and recover faster.

1. Stay Hydrated

  Dehydration can heighten dizziness and confusion, so sip water or clear fluids as soon as it is safe to do so. Avoid drinks that contain caffeine or alcohol because these will further dehydrate you.

2. Small, Soft Meals

  Soft foods like applesauce, mashed potatoes, or yogurt will stabilize your blood sugar and give you that extra boost of energy.

  Pro Tip: I lived on banana smoothies while recovering—easy to make, painless in the mouth, and full of nutrition.

3. Rest and Avoid Strenuous Activities

  Give your body some time, permission from yourself to take it easy. No driving, running machinery, or making major life decisions while you’re in that loopy stage!

4. Take Medications as Instructed

  Take only the recommended dosage of painkillers and ask your dentist about alternatives if they make you feel too spaced out.

Key Takings

1. Feeling loopy after wisdom teeth removal is kind of an odd yet common part of the recovery process. 
2. This is how your body deals with such strong medications and stresses from surgery. 
3. While this might feel weird, or even embarrassing, in that moment—trust me, I’ve been there—this is commonly short-lived and nothing to be concerned about. 
4. Keep in mind that your recovery tour is all yours, and there’s no right or wrong feeling at this moment. 
5. Enjoy, laugh at some of the lighter moments, rest when necessary, and don’t feel embarrassed to ask for help or reassurance if you need it. 
6. You’ll be back to your sharp, clear-headed self in no time.

Useful Articles:

1. Postoperative Delirium: You can explore their general information on delirium here.
2. Managing Pain After Surgery: The National Institutes of Health provides guidance on postsurgical pain treatment here.