Wisdom teeth. Also known as your third molars. They’re the last teeth to show up in your mouth, typically between your late teens and mid-twenties. They’re kind of like the guests who arrive late to the party and sometimes cause a bit of trouble. Because they arrive last, they can sometimes end up pushing against other teeth, causing pain or infection. Sometimes, they don’t fully emerge or grow properly, a problem called impaction. As a result, wisdom teeth removal is often necessary to prevent further issues.
Don’t worry, though! Getting your wisdom teeth out is pretty common and the actual procedure is usually done quickly (about 45 minutes per tooth). But, like any procedure, taking care of yourself afterward is super important to make sure you recover smoothly. If you are looking to have a wisdom tooth removed, keep reading. After this post, you’ll ready to have your wisdom teeth removal at Waterdown Smiles Dentistry.
And if you’ve already had your wisdom teeth removed, we’ve got you covered too! In this post, the Waterdown Smiles Dentistry team will walk you through everything you need to do after wisdom teeth removal to ensure the best possible healing.
WHAT TO DO AFTER WISDOM TEETH REMOVAL: THE ESSENTIAL STEPS
Right after getting your wisdom teeth taken out, it’s really important to look after the surgical site. Be gentle, and don’t mess with the blood clot that forms in the hole – it’s there to help you heal. If you’re in pain, you can take the pain medicine your dentist might have given you. On the other hand, over-the-counter painkillers might be a good alternative. But, as with everything else, make sure to consult with your dentist about any medications.
For the first few hours after surgery, using an ice pack on your face can help with any swelling. Drink plenty of water, but don’t use a straw because the sucking can dislodge the blood clot. If that happens, you may cause an issue called “Dry Socket“. So, avoid solid foods. Eating soft foods like mashed potatoes or yogurt is best, and try to stay away from anything that’s hard, spicy, or needs a lot of chewing. We’ll cover these topics in more detail below so keep reading!
Daily Routine After Wisdom Teeth Removal
Taking care of your oral health becomes even more essential after the extraction of your wisdom teeth. However, your routine will need some changes to ensure a successful and smooth recovery.
In the first 24 hours after your wisdom tooth removal, brushing your teeth as you normally would may not be the best idea Specifically, you should avoid the area around the surgical site to prevent disrupting the healing process. After this period, you can gradually start to clean the affected area, but be sure to do so with a gentle touch. Aggressive brushing can cause irritation or damage, slowing down your recovery.
You have to rethink physical activity too. It’s natural to want to get back to your regular routine quickly, but you must give your body the time it needs to heal. In the first few days following your surgical procedure, you should aim to limit strenuous activities. This doesn’t mean complete bed rest. Rather, you should go for a more relaxed pace and avoid any tasks that could potentially cause strain or discomfort.
As you start to feel stronger and more comfortable, you can gradually begin to incorporate more of your regular activities back into your daily routine. Listen to your body during this period. if an activity causes discomfort, it may be a sign that you need a little more time to heal.
Foods to Eat and Avoid After Wisdom Teeth Removal
In the days right after your surgery, your mouth might feel a bit tender. To make things easier for yourself, it’s a good idea to eat foods that are soft and easy to swallow. You don’t have to worry about chewing much when eating foods like mashed potatoes, yogurt, and soup. These can be quite comforting, and they won’t hurt your mouth.
Try to stay away from foods that could poke, irritate, or get stuck in the place where your wisdom teeth used to be. You should be cautious of hard, crunchy foods like nuts and popcorn, as well as small, pesky ones like seeds.
As your mouth starts to heal and it doesn’t feel so sore anymore, you can begin to eat harder foods again. Start slow and remember to listen to your body. If something doesn’t feel quite right or is still too painful to eat, give it some more time. Before you know it, you’ll be back to enjoying all your favorite foods. Just remember that patience is key, and taking good care of yourself is the most important thing during your healing process.
The Role of Regular Follow-up Appointments
Post-operative visits play a crucial role in your recovery process. These appointments allow your dentist to monitor your healing, address any complications, and ensure that your mouth is returning to its healthy state. You’ll typically have a follow-up visit within a week of your surgery, with further appointments as necessary.
Common Symptoms After Wisdom Teeth Removal and How to Deal With Them
Once you’ve had your wisdom teeth taken out, it’s normal to have some puffiness, a bit of bruising, and to feel a little uncomfortable. Using something cold, like a bag of frozen peas wrapped in a cloth or gauze pad, can help bring down the puffiness and make you feel better. The pain can be controlled with the right medicines and should get less and less over a couple of days. It’s also okay to see a little bit of blood. But if you think you’re bleeding too much or you’re worried about anything, don’t be scared to reach out to your dentist right away.
Potential Complications and When to Seek Help
While most people recover from wisdom teeth removal without significant issues, complications can occasionally arise. Dry socket, a painful condition that occurs when the blood clot is dislodged or dissolves, is one such complication. Dry socket slows the healing process and can cause severe pain. Infection is another risk, with symptoms like persistent pain, swelling, and fever. Always reach out to your dentist if you experience these or any concerning symptoms.
The Wisdom Tooth Removal Recovery Timeline
Healing after having your wisdom teeth pulled out can be different for everyone. Also, it can depend on how tricky it was to get the teeth out. The first day is super important – you’ll need to take it easy, relax, and look after any soreness or puffiness.
In the first week, you’ll start to feel a lot better, and the pain will start to fade. It usually takes a few weeks for everything to heal up completely. But, keep in mind that everyone is different, and healing might take more or less time for some folks. So, don’t worry if it doesn’t go exactly as described – your body knows what it’s doing!
Conclusion
Getting better after having your wisdom teeth pulled out takes some looking after. Also, there will be a bit of waiting, and paying attention to what your body tells you. Your dentist might give you some tips and tricks to follow after the surgery. It’s important to stick to these if you want to heal quickly and easily.
Here at Waterdown Smiles Dentistry, we’re all about being there for you, every step of the way on your journey to a happy, healthy smile. Of course, that includes helping you with what to do after getting your wisdom teeth out. Our team is always ready to answer any questions and clear up any worries. If you’re looking for wisdom teeth removal in Waterdown, book a consultation now!
Remember, you can give us a shout anytime if you’ve got more questions about wisdom teeth, or anything else to do with your teeth. Your smile is what we’re here for – it’s our top priority!
Frequently Asked Questions
How Long Does Wisdom Teeth Removal Take?
Getting a wisdom tooth removed usually takes less than an hour per tooth. The actual time can depend on how tricky the tooth is to remove, but we always aim to make it as quick and comfortable as possible!
Does Everyone Have Wisdom Teeth?
Not everyone has wisdom teeth! While most of us get wisdom teeth, some people are lucky and don’t have them at all. It’s a bit of a genetic surprise! So, you might have all four, just a couple, or none. Feel free to give us a visit and we can let you know for sure with an X-ray.
How Long Does Pain After Wisdom Tooth Extraction Last?
Typically, discomfort might last for 2-3 days after the extraction. With the right pain relief and plenty of rest, it should get better every day. But remember, everyone’s different and if you’re still in pain after a few days, it’s a good idea to give your dentist or oral surgeon a call.
