Often, wisdom teeth grow the wrong way, are infected, or disrupt the rest of the teeth. They can grow in the direction of molars, pushing your whole set of teeth to the front and disrupting their alignment. Your regular dentist visits and x-rays should identify whether your wisdom teeth are growing right or need to be removed. In the case they need to be removed, there are some pieces of information that would be useful to keep in mind. Apart from the cost of wisdom tooth extraction (wisdom teeth removal cost), and its benefits (benefits of wisdom teeth removal), it is important to know what to expect after wisdom tooth removal.
What to expect after wisdom tooth removal?
So, what happens after wisdom teeth removal? Despite the benefits of wisdom tooth extraction (benefits of wisdom teeth removal), recovery from wisdom tooth surgery doesn’t happen overnight. It will happen gradually, with improvements happening every day. If you need stitches to close the wound of the gums, it will take around a week to heal. You might also experience the following after wisdom tooth extraction:
- Bruising, swelling, and pain, all of which take time to heal.
- Tightness in the jaw, which will limit you from opening your mouth.
- Anesthesia side effects, like dizziness, nausea, or lightheadedness.
How long does it take to recover from having a wisdom tooth removed?
Recovery of the mouth after wisdom teeth removal is different for everyone. It takes several days and up to 2 weeks to recover fully. Here is what to expect days after wisdom teeth removal:
- First day: blood clots formation.
- Days 2-3: The mouth and cheeks’ swelling will start to slightly improve.
- Day 7: If you’ve had stitches, the dentist will need to remove them.
- Days 7-10: The stiffness in the jaw, as well as the soreness, will start fading away.
- 2 weeks after the procedure: Bruises will have healed.
How long does the pain last after wisdom tooth extraction?
Your mouth after wisdom teeth removal will most likely feel painful and swollen. Basically, your removal of wisdom teeth after the procedure will cause discomfort and pain that can be managed with painkillers prescribed by your dentist. On days 3 or 4, the swelling will reach its peak and the pain will subside, making way for soreness. On days 5 to 7, the swelling and soreness will become minimal. It should also be the last days of your antibiotics course (if you were given any). It is also the time to remove stitches or they will dissolve alone. This all depends on the kind of sutures used by your dentist.
Make sure to follow your dentist’s instructions on how to clean your mouth after wisdom teeth removal. Click here to read more about the benefits of wisdom tooth removal (benefits of wisdom teeth removal).
What to do after wisdom tooth extraction? 7 tips for a fast recovery after wisdom tooth extraction
As mentioned above, wisdom teeth recovery time is around 1 to 2 weeks. Healing time for wisdom teeth removal differs depending on your situation and how complicated the procedure was. Below are some tips to help you recover faster and what to do after extraction of wisdom teeth:
[Tip 1] - Avoid hard foods and hot drinks
Eat and drink only what you can tolerate. The first few days, you might not eat much. Yogurt or other liquids might be the best option. In the first 24 hours, avoid drinking something hot, chewing food or smoking, in order to avoid dislodging blood clots.
[Tip 2] - Manage your pain with painkillers
Make sure you manage your pain with the right painkillers and be aware of the side effects they might cause.
[Tip 3] - Contact your dentist if you have signs of infection
Contact your dentist if you feel something is wrong - like fever or any other infection symptom. They can identify early signs of infections and prescribe antibiotics if they haven’t already.
[Tip 4] - Mouth rinse
In the first 24 hours, avoid rinsing your mouth. After the first 24 hours, start by gently rinsing your mouth with antiseptic mouth rinse.
[Tip 5] - Drink fluids
Drinking plenty of fluids will help you feel better and keep you hydrated.
[Tip 6] - Apply ice
Apply ice on your cheeks to help with the swelling or bruising.
[Tip 7] - Make yourself comfortable while sleeping
While sleeping, use extra pillows to elevate your head as it will help with the pain and discomfort.
What not to do after you get your wisdom teeth out?
To facilitate recovery from wisdom teeth extraction, avoid any activity for 2 to 3 days and resume them gradually afterwards. Also, plan accordingly. After-care for wisdom tooth removal is important and will determine your overall recovery time. Make sure you plan to spend the first few days after the procedure at home resting. Allow your body to recover and your jaw and gums to properly heal.
Key takeaways
Like any type of dental surgery, wisdom tooth removal comes with costs (wisdom teeth removal cost), benefits (benefits of wisdom teeth removal), and expectations. It does come with risks and complications, but if you are aware of what to expect and follow your dentist’s instructions, you should recover quickly. Avoiding strenuous activity and following the tips mentioned above can go a long way in reducing your recovery time.
