Wisdom tooth extraction is a common surgery for most adults. Recovering from wisdom teeth removal is not easy and is linked to many painful events. This article will highlight some guidelines so you can recover from wisdom tooth removal surgery with minimum pain and maximum comfort.
Taking Care of Yourself After Surgery
Some common things that come after wisdom tooth extraction are inflammation, pain, and slight bleeding. Your surgeon will guide you on taking care of your mouth and gums. Adopting the below guidelines will lead you to the road to a speedy and comfortable recovery.
- Go easy with your mouth and try not to disturb the blood clot from the surgery site; otherwise, you’ll end up in great pain.
- For the first few days after extraction, avoid using straws, spitting, flossing, or rinsing your mouth
- Also, stay away from alcohol, tea, coffee, and solid or crunchy foods as they can worsen your condition
How long does it take to recover from wisdom teeth removal?
Recovering from wisdom teeth removal can take 3-5 days. But if you’re one of those with impacted teeth, you can expect your recovery to extend to 7-10 days. Under normal circumstances, wisdom teeth removal pain can take at least a week to subside. However, if the condition is bad, meaning you’ve dislodged your blood clot and now have a dry socket or infection, you’ll have to bear pain and discomfort for a few more days or weeks.
How to Speed Up Healing
The following things will help you recover faster from wisdom teeth extraction:
- Rest and avoid strenuous activities for the first few days after the surgery. Waiting for at least seven days would be in your best interest. Avoid doing anything or eating any food item that can disturb your blood clot.
- Apply a cold compress to the cheek to minimize the swelling and pain. The cold will help with inflammation and bring you to ease.
- For managing the pain go with OTC pain relievers or take those recommended by your dentist.
- On the first day following the surgery, wash your mouth with salty warm water to eradicate the germs and bacteria and keep your mouth clean.
Foods to Eat and Foods to Avoid
For the first few days, only go with soft foods that are easy to chew, including:
- Eggs
- Yogurt
- Soft noodles
- Soup
- Mashed potatoes
- Pudding
- Apple sauce
Foods to avoid:
- Chewing gum
- Sticky candy
- Chips
- Pretzels
- Nuts
- Extremely hot food
Wisdom tooth removal is major surgery, but there’s nothing much to worry about. The healing time is expected to be a few days, but inflammation and discomfort can last for 10-15 days if something goes wrong. To minimize pain and avoid infections, apply a cold compress, eat soft and easy-to-chew foods, and rinse your mouth with warm saltwater.
If the pain doesn’t subside or you notice weird symptoms, don’t wait long to call your Houston Surgeon. Immediately contact Vintage Smile Family Dentistry at 281-251-7770.