Wisdom tooth removal recovery healing tips

Wisdom tooth removal or 8th tooth extraction is a form of a minor surgery that is quite common. Proper oral care can help heal the wound.

Wisdom teeth are the last ones to grow in adulthood. If a wisdom tooth becomes misaligned and affects the adjacent teeth, you will need to undergo a tooth extraction surgery to avoid any possible dental problems or infections.

What should I do after the wisdom tooth is pulled?

After having a wisdom tooth removed, you should take time to rest and relax at least 2 - 3 days as well as limit excessive activities (drinking water with a straw, playing sports) to promote wound healing. Also, you may want to try using an ice pack or a cold compress to reduce the pain.

Also, for the first 24 hours after surgery, it is advised to drink plenty of water and avoid consuming alcoholic drinks, caffeine, carbonated, or hot beverages.

How long does it take to recover from wisdom tooth removal surgery?

Most people fully recover from wisdom tooth surgery in 3 to 4 days. In some cases, it could take a full week to recover. However, the way you take care of the wound may also affect your recovery time.

How long do you have to wear gauze after wisdom tooth removal?

Usually, the bleeding stops within 30-60 minutes after the surgery. Mild bleeding within the first 24 hours is completely normal since it is a part of blood clotting (coagulation) to help prevent excessive bleeding. If the bleeding continues, you should get back to the dental clinic immediately to have it checked.

Wisdom tooth extraction home care instructions

Some methods to help with proper dental care that you can refer to after having your third molar extracted include:

Prevent bleeding

Bleeding can occur the first day after your surgery. Therefore, you should avoid spitting or rinsing your mouth too hard. This helps to reduce the risk of continuous bleeding from the incision. You should replace a new gauze as directed by your dentist.

Manage the pain

You can manage the pain by taking an over-the-counter pain reliever, such as acetaminophen or prescribed pain medications from your dentist. Also, a cold compress is also an effective treatment for pain and swelling.

Choose the right drinks

It’s best to choose drinks that are lukewarm, not too hot or too cold and cut on alcohol or carbonated drinks.

Choose the right foods

Some soft foods to eat for the first 24 hours after oral surgery are porridge, soft ripe bananas, soup, mashed potatoes, eggs, etc. On the next few days, avoid foods that are hard, chewy, hot, or spicy as they can irritate the wound. Besides, don’t forget to add vitamins and minerals to your diet since they can help improve your oral health.

Practice good oral hygiene

After your wisdom tooth removal, you should brush your teeth twice a day and rinse your mouth gently with warm salt solution every two hours or after meals to get rid of the remaining bacteria. In addition, you had better choose a soft-bristled brush in order to not cause any discomfort to the gums in its recovery process.

Quit smoking

The chemicals in cigarettes or any forms of tobacco could affect the wound as well as the overall oral health. Therefore, you should avoid or quit smoking to prevent possible oral health problems.

When you should go to the dentist

If you experience any of the following symptoms, you should visit the dentist immediately. The reason is that these symptoms can be a warning sign of infection, nerve damage, or other serious complications.

• Fever

• Swollen or puffy incision

• A discharge of pus from the incision

• Nose bleeds

• Prolonged tingling sensation at the incision

• Difficulty swallowing or breathing

• Unusual smell or fishy smell in the mouth

• Severe pain that does not go away even after taking pain relievers

• Constant bleeding despite using gauze with light pressure

Hope this article has given you the answer to the question “how long wisdom tooth extraction takes to heal” as well as tips on oral care after this minor surgery. In addition, finding a dental clinic with modern equipment and highly qualified dentists can really help the operation go smoothly, reduce pain as well as minimize the risk of infections later on.