Wisdom tooth extractions are a common procedure among both teens and adults, but it is completely understandable if you are a bit nervous about undergoing it. You might wonder how it will affect your daily routine and how long it will take you to recover. The good news is that bouncing back from wisdom tooth extractions is easier than most people think! This blog post provides a basic guide to the post-treatment experience.
Full Recovery May Take Up to Two Weeks
Recovery rates vary by age and health. Typically, patients feel normal within 10 – 14 days of their procedure. Here is an overview of the typical recovery process.
- Blood clots usually form at the extraction sites within one day.
- Swelling tends to decrease after 2 – 3 days, at which point most people choose to return to work or school.
- Stitches may be removed after 7 days. If you received dissolvable stitches, you may be able to skip this step.
- Jaw soreness and stiffness usually disappear within 7 – 10 days.
- Full recovery often occurs around day 14. At this point, all swelling and discomfort should be gone, and you should be able to go back to a normal diet.
Tips for a Smooth Recovery
Here are some guidelines that your dental team may give you to help ensure a smooth recovery process after your wisdom tooth procedure:
Immediately after Your Surgery
Your dental team may provide you with a gauze pad to bite down on as you leave the office; it can help to control any bleeding. You might also be advised to place a cold pack on your face for 15 minutes at a time to reduce swelling. If you were sedated during your surgery, you may feel groggy for several hours (perhaps even a full day), so you should not drive or do anything else that might result in harm to yourself or others during that time.
Modify Your Diet
While your mouth is sore, you should eat soft foods that require little to no chewing, such as smoothies, brothy soups, pudding, applesauce, and yogurt. Avoid crunchy, hard, and chewy foods that might increase discomfort or irritate your extraction sites. It can also be helpful to avoid caffeine for at least a few days.
Get Enough Rest
Engaging in strenuous physical activities too soon after your procedure could increase discomfort, cause exhaustion, and slow down your ability to heal. Try to avoid vigorous exercise for several days after your appointment.
Reduce the Risk of Dry Socket
Dry socket is a condition where the blood clot at an extraction site gets dislodged or never forms to begin with. You can reduce your risk of this issue by avoiding the use of drinking straws, not smoking, and refraining from spitting vigorously for at least the first 48 hours of your recovery. While it is important to maintain your oral hygiene, you should not directly brush your surgical sites for at least 3 – 4 days.
Recovery from wisdom tooth surgery can alter your normal routine, but you should be able to return to your usual state within just a couple of weeks!
Meet the Practice
At Piney Point OMS, we work under the leadership of three skilled oral surgeons: Drs. Steve Koo, Thomas Weil, and William Shepard. We are able to handle even very complex wisdom tooth cases. If you have questions about this procedure or what to expect during the recovery process, we would be happy to consult with you. Contact our Houston office at 713-783-5560.