Many people feel a little apprehensive about their wisdom tooth removal surgery. In particular, they may wonder what the recovery will be like. How long does it take to bounce back? Will there be a lot of pain? What can you do to prevent complications? If you have an upcoming procedure and are thinking about such questions, this blog post is for you. It is a simple guide to recovering from wisdom tooth extractions that will prepare you for the road ahead.
How Long Does Recovery Take?
Most people are feeling normal 1 – 2 weeks after their surgery. Of course, your recovery timeline might be a little shorter or longer; it depends on the details of your procedure, your age, your overall health, and other factors. You should be patient with yourself and comply with all of your oral surgeon’s posttreatment instructions so your recovery can go as smoothly as possible.
Tips for Wisdom Tooth Recovery
Be Prepared for Some Discomfort
Some swelling, minor bleeding, and general discomfort are to be expected during the first few days of your recovery. You may need to use prescription or over-the-counter pain relievers to keep yourself as comfortable as possible during this portion of your healing process.
Cold compresses can help to minimize swelling. You should also keep your head elevated when you are lying down. Additionally, rinsing with warm salt water after the first 24 hours may prove helpful.
Eat a Soft Diet
You might need to stick to a no-chew diet for a few days. Chewing may be uncomfortable for you, and hard foods might disturb the blood clots at your extraction sites. Things like brothy soups, pudding, applesauce, and even ice cream are all acceptable choices. As your mouth heals, you can gradually return to your normal eating habits.
Get Plenty of Rest
Strenuous exercise might slow down your body’s healing process, so you may need to pause your workout routine or take some time off of work if your job involves a lot of physical exertion.
Minimize Your Risk of Dry Socket
Dry socket is a painful complication that occurs in a small percentage of wisdom tooth removal cases. It happens when the blood clot at an extraction site fails to form or gets prematurely knocked out of place. You can minimize your risk by:
- Not smoking
- Not drinking through a straw
- Not touching your extraction sites with your tongue or fingers
- Avoiding hard and crunchy foods.
Call Your Oral Surgeon if You Need Help
If you run into any questions or concerns while you are healing from your surgery, do not hesitate to call your oral surgeon. They may be able to address the problem over the phone, or they might advise you to come see them. They want your recovery to be as easy as possible!
Recovering from wisdom tooth extractions requires a bit of time and patience, but you should be feeling like yourself again before you know it!
Meet the Practice
Dr. Sheng Ji is a highly accomplished, board-certified oral and maxillofacial surgeon in Carmicheal, CA. He provides wisdom tooth extractions and many other advanced services. If you have questions about what to expect while recovering from oral surgery, Dr. Ji’s team would be happy to speak with you. Contact our office at 916-961-1902.