Tips for Recovery After Wisdom Teeth Removal

About five million people in the United States undergo wisdom teeth removal each year. Dentists recommend this procedure for a variety of reasons, such as tooth crowding and disease. Most people recover from wisdom teeth removal within a few days. But, full recovery from complicated extraction may take a week or longer.

 

Five Post-Extraction Healing Tips

 

A dental surgeon often performs wisdom teeth removal surgery. Tooth extractions help mitigate tooth pain. However, it is common for patients to experience discomfort after the operation. Here are some tips to help you recover faster:

 

1. Bleeding.

Expect some bleeding after your wisdom teeth removal surgery. To slow the bleeding, keep a gauze pad over the extraction site for at least 30 minutes. If the bleeding continues, you may try biting on a moistened tea bag, applying consistent pressure for the same amount of time. Tea leaves have tannic acid, which contracts the bleeding vessels, thus help with the blood clot.
 

2. Swelling.

Positioning your body at a 45-degree angle can help speed up your wound’s recovery and reduce swelling. Whenever possible, use pillows to keep your head and shoulders above your heart. Also, apply ice packs or a pack of frozen vegetables to your face intermittently for a couple of days following the procedure. This is to minimize pain and swelling. If your wisdom tooth was infected before the removal, your dental surgeon might recommend using warm compress instead of ice.
 

3. Dental Care.

To avoid dislodging the blood clot, use a straw when drinking. Limit eating or talking for the first few hours after your operation. Avoid spitting excessively or rinsing your mouth vigorously. You may gently rinse your mouth with a prescribed antiseptic mouthwash or warm saline solution the day after your surgery. You may carefully brush your teeth the night of the operation but avoid the extraction site as much as possible.
 

4. Diet.

Once the bleeding stops, keep yourself hydrated by drinking lots of cold or lukewarm fluids. Proper nutrition is always essential, especially when recovering from wisdom teeth removal. Start with soft foods for a few days, such as soups, cooked cereals, mashed potatoes, and smoothies.
 

5. Other Reminders.

Take your medicine and antibiotics on time and exactly as directed by your dental surgeon. You don’t want to dislodge the blood clot. So, avoid eating hard foods like peanuts and popcorn, as well as drinking carbonated beverages. Refrain from smoking as your wounds recover. Smoke from cigarettes slows the healing process, thus prolonging your discomfort. Your recovery from wisdom teeth removal can be less uncomfortable and disruptive if you get enough rest. So, avoid strenuous activities for several days, and always monitor your symptoms.

 

Any pain or discomfort should improve each day. Call your surgeon if you experience excessive bleeding, swelling that worsens, fever that persists, and severe pain days after your operation.
 

Are you planning to get your wisdom teeth removed but unsure how you can recover fast from the procedure? At Concierge Smile Boutique, we can help get you through the process with little to no complications at all. Call (424)-404-6400 to contact our clinic today in Culver City, California, and schedule your consultation.