Posted by Wisdom tooth removal is a painful yet uncomfortable experience. These are the third molars or the last teeth that surface when the person is usually between the ages of 17 and 21. They emerge on the top and bottom of both sides of your jaw. When it happens, teeth shift to accommodate the wisdom teeth. If there isn’t enough space in the jaw to accommodate the wisdom teeth, the dental surgeon will extract them surgically.
It is one of the most common surgeries that takes a couple of weeks for a person to recover fully. However, in complex cases, the wisdom tooth removal process includes cutting bone, gum, and the tooth itself into sections. It’s obvious to feel discomfort and pain after such a surgical process when the anesthesia wears off.
In this article, we will help you get acquainted with what you can expect after wisdom tooth removal so that you can have a healthy recovery.
How long does the pain last?
Normally, the pain would last 3–4 days after simple wisdom tooth extraction. However, in complex cases, the recovery time is 7 to 10 days.
How does the improvement take place?
When a person is recovering from wisdom tooth surgery, they can experience improvement by allowing the body to rest. It allows the body to create more white blood cells that keep away any infection that may originate in the jaw.
People can experience limited mouth opening or jaw tightness after the surgery. It can be due to the stitches made to close the wound or the swelling, pain, or bruising caused during the surgery.
The swelling wears off from the mouth and cheeks in 2-3 days. The dentist removes the stitches usually after one week. The soreness and jaw tightness diminish in 7–10 days, and you will be left with mild bruising on the face at the end of two weeks.
What are some possible conditions you could experience in your recovery phase?
The recovery time of wisdom tooth removal surgery often includes some general conditions as same as after emergency tooth extraction. We have listed them down for you.
- Nausea and vomiting are some of the common experiences once the sedation wears off.
- The prescribed drugs can also cause nausea and vomiting. However, don’t hesitate to contact your dentist about it if it persists.
- In cases where a wound becomes infected or blood clots become dislodged, the recovery time may take longer than usual.
- There is a possibility of the formation of a blood clot when the tooth is removed. So, to avoid it, the patient must consume the foods recommended by the dentist for a speedy recovery. Avoid foods that require chewing, drinking hot drinks, or alcohol.
- Complications like numbness, unstoppable bleeding, worsening swelling, trouble breathing or swelling, fever, ineffective painkillers, and blood or pus from your nose are some signs of nerve damage or infection.
With all that addressed, we have prepared something for you to take extreme care of.
Here’s a checklist to pin to your to-do boards in your recovery phase after wisdom teeth are removed.
- Drink lots of fluids and consume soft foods like rice, soup, or pasta.
- If you are experiencing any swelling or skin color changes, an ice pack will offer you significant relief.
- If you are experiencing a sore jaw, use a moist heat towel to comfort the area.
- Avoid brushing against any blood clots, and start brushing your teeth on the second day of the surgery.
- Take the doctor-prescribed drugs to ease the swelling and pain promptly.
- If the condition deteriorates, call your doctor and consult them.
- Avoid smoking or eating any sticky, crunchy, or hard foods that can open your wounds.
- Rinse your mouth gently with salt water.
- Avoid drinking any fluids through a straw, as it can scratch the blood clots and slow down the healing process.
- Avoid doing any exercise in the first 24 hours after your wisdom tooth surgery. Try to lie down or sit down with your head in an elevated position.
- It is advisable to rinse your mouth with an antiseptic mouth rinse 24 hours after having surgery.
- Anti-inflammatory medications such as naproxen and ibuprofen can work wonders in reducing swelling.
Get started!
Wisdom tooth removal usually happens for one of the following reasons.
- Wisdom teeth are impacted.
- Wisdom teeth emerge at the wrong angle in your mouth.
- An additional set of molars would not fit in your jaw due to space constraints.
- You are suffering from gum disease or cavities.
These reasons are enough to make you a candidate for wisdom tooth removal. It’s a common procedure that takes a few days for you to heal and feel back to normal. So, worry not, let your body heal the wound in your jaw with time. Just stick to the above-mentioned guidelines, and you will be enjoying your food just like the times before your surgery.
We wish you a happy and speedy recovery.