Although not everyone needs to have their wisdom teeth removed, especially if they don’t present potential issues, it is imperative to know what the recovery period will be like if you happen to be scheduled for wisdom teeth removal. When you get the teeth extraction, it may take several weeks to recover fully. You must care for the wound properly to reduce the wisdom teeth healing time.
What to Expect after Your Wisdom Tooth is Extracted?
A dentist in Seattle will perform wisdom tooth extractions under anesthesia. Therefore, you will not have pain during the removal procedure, but you may experience it after the numbing agent wears off. Immediately after the tooth is removed, a dentist gives you gauze that you bite down on. It helps stop bleeding in the open wound after the extraction.
It is crucial to keep the operation site clean and avoid drinking and eating on that side to allow a blood clot to form. You should refrain from touching the wound or site with your fingers or tongue. The reason is that you may introduce bacteria to the wound or dislodge the clot.
What is the Wisdom Teeth Healing Timeline?
The wisdom teeth recovery will be gradual, but you will see some improvement daily. The healing process timeline would look like this:
- First 24 hours: During the first 24 hours, blood clots form on the wound.
- 2-3 days: Within the 2 to 3 days, you expect the swelling to subside
- Seven days: Any jaw stiffness and soreness you have been having go away
- Two weeks: The mild bruising lingering around on the faces disperses.
What to Eat and Avoid after Wisdom Teeth Removal?
You want to eat liquid foods in the first hours and then gradually switch to soft food. This way, you prevent damage to the wound. Some foods you can eat include:
- Thin soup
- Jell-O or pudding
- Gelatin
- Soft noodles
- Mashed potatoes
- Yogurt
- Smoothies or milkshakes
- Instant oatmeal
Avoid foods that can break into small pieces or crumble easily, such as chips, cookies, popcorn, crackers, and foods containing nuts. The reason is that the small and hard pieces from these foods can lodge in the extraction site, disrupting the clot formation, which may, in turn, risk causing an infection. Also, avoid acidic and spicy foods because they can lead to stinging at the site, causing pain and discomfort. Refraining from chewy and sticky foods also helps protect the wound from injury.
How Long Does Pain Last After Wisdom Teeth Removal?
For most patients, pain associated with wisdom teeth removal subsides in a week or so after extraction. It takes roughly 2 to 4 weeks for the tooth socket to heal.
4 Wisdom Teeth Removal Tips
You should consider important things besides watching over what you eat to help with recovery. Use these tips for wisdom tooth extraction aftercare:
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Elevate the Head
You should keep your head elevated in the first three days when lying flat; blood volume and blood vessel tone near the site of extraction increase, making it throb. When you keep the head elevated during sleeping, it helps reduce swelling and accelerate recovery.
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Prevent Dry Socket
When the blood clot forming on the extraction site becomes dislodged, it may cause a dry socket, which is very painful and could delay the healing process. Avoid vigorous mouth rinsing, smoking, drinking through straws, or kissing. It would help if you avoided any action involving suction.
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Massage your Jaw
When the wisdom tooth is getting extracted, your mouth remains wide open. This may lead to temporary lockjaw involving cramped or sore muscles and myofascial pain. One of the muscles that aid chewing, known as a masseter, may become sore after the surgery. Therefore, massing the muscle helps release the tension within the jaw, thus helping in recovery.
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Be Careful When Brushing and Flossing
The American Dental Association says that you should not clean the area or teeth next to the extraction site for the first few hours after the extraction. You can begin brushing and flossing the next morning. Use a manual brush for the first two weeks. Also, rinse with salt water and use milder toothpaste.
Remember to visit our emergency dentist near you in if the pain persists or if you have other complications. For wisdom tooth removal, contact us today and talk to our professional cosmetic dentist.