Wisdom teeth are the last molars to come in. Since you only have room in your mouth for two sets of these teeth, if they’re not removed, they can cause problems as they grow in. While some people are able to keep their wisdom teeth, others require them to be extracted, due to health issues or space constraints. Either way, you may want to know how long it takes to recover from your wisdom teeth removal surgery so you can plan accordingly. Here’s what you need to know about wisdom teeth recovery time and how it differs depending on the extent of the surgery you underwent.
9 Important Things To Know Before Getting Wisdom Teeth Removed
This can be a long, painful process. Recovering from wisdom teeth removal surgery is an important part of your dental health, but sometimes an easily avoidable issue can arise after you’ve completed surgery: infection. Infection risk is something you want to know about before you get dental work done, so here are nine important things that should help you understand wisdom teeth recovery time and what might happen afterward. Your tooth won’t regrow itself back in if it gets infected: If infection occurs as a result of wisdom teeth removal surgery, your tooth may not regenerate back into place on its own. It’s pretty rare for these teeth—especially if they were removed by a dentist during orthodontic work—to re-emerge.
If you’re getting only your wisdom teeth removed, it will take 1 week for normal activities.
For most wisdom teeth removal patients, recovery time lasts around one week. While you’ll likely be in some pain during and immediately after surgery, your swelling should go down quickly and you’ll be able to resume normal activities within a few days. If you opt for sedation dentistry (as recommended), you should notice fewer post-procedure side effects such as swollen gums or muscle spasms. As long as your local dentist follows safe surgical protocols, there’s no reason why your wisdom teeth recovery time should be any different than that of other patients. One thing is certain: if complications do arise, they will likely be due to infection from an unsanitary environment or unsterile equipment—not because of any dental procedure itself.
Post operative bleeding is common
Don’t panic if you experience some bleeding after your wisdom teeth are extracted. It happens in as many as 50 percent of patients, according to research from UC San Francisco. This is usually minor and resolves on its own in a few days. If it persists for more than 10 days, or if you have severe pain that requires medication, call your dentist. These can be signs of infection or complications like a broken tooth fragment that is stuck under your gums and needs removal by a professional.
Ice packs are your friend
Ice your jaw (around where your wisdom teeth were) with an ice pack wrapped in a thin towel for 10 minutes, four times a day. This will help control pain and swelling; apply it as soon as you can after you’ve removed your wisdom teeth. If you feel discomfort or have sharp shooting pains, take over-the-counter painkillers like ibuprofen or acetaminophen. Be sure to read all directions before taking them! If severe pain persists, go see your dentist immediately; it could be an infection from improper treatment of impacted wisdom teeth. In any case, if you don’t want surgery later on down the line (which is always an option), stick to these recovery tips for a quick and effective recovery process!
Don’t use straws
In addition to being single-use plastics, straws can often get lost or broken. If you’re getting ready for wisdom teeth recovery time, you probably won’t be in a good place to risk it. Before your surgery, make sure you have alternatives on hand: Think silicone instead of plastic and reusable cups if you normally use disposable cups. Taking these small steps will help reduce waste and streamline your recovery time.
Follow your doctor’s directions
Cavity prevention aside, many mouth rinses—particularly those that contain fluoride—also help to prevent or reduce dry mouth symptoms. Mouth rinses can be used regularly throughout the day and don’t require a trip to your dentist. If you suffer from dry mouth, consider using a fluoride-containing mouth rinse at least once per day. Consider talking with your dentist if you continue to experience dry mouth symptoms despite using a fluoride-containing rinse on a regular basis. They may suggest additional treatments that can improve your overall oral health and decrease or eliminate some of your dry mouth symptoms.
Mouth rinses help prevent cavities and dry mouth
Mouth rinses are a good way to prevent cavities, since they strengthen tooth enamel and reduce acidic mouth build-up. Some rinses can help eliminate bad breath and dry mouth by making your saliva more plentiful. Look for an over-the-counter rinse that contains fluoride—it can be an easy way to maintain strong teeth and gum health throughout your life. If you’re interested in using oral rinses as part of your wisdom teeth recovery time, check with your dentist or doctor first. You may need prescriptions from both before starting on a new regimen. If you use them according to directions, you can avoid any side effects or problems that might develop from overuse of mouth washes or rinses during recovery time following surgery.
