15 Feb 2021
Just had your wisdom teeth removed? Relax, don’t fret – we’ve got you covered!
Here’s the thing – Taking certain precautionary measures after wisdom teeth removal can speed up your recovery and make it more manageable and faster to recover.
In our updated, 2021 guide on the DO’s and DON’Ts for the best recovery after wisdom teeth extraction, we’ll be looking at how to minimise problems, such as bleeding and swelling and the risk of infection.
First, though, here’s a brief overview…
So, you might have been wondering: why are wisdom teeth removed anyway?
In most cases, wisdom teeth removal becomes necessary when lack of room for these third and final set of molars results in pain and/or potential future complications.
Sometimes, wisdom teeth often fail to emerge properly through the gum line because our mouths have become smaller with evolution.
While wisdom teeth pain could be unbearable, besides causing facial pain, these impacted wisdom teeth can result in pericoronitis, causing inflammation of the gums and the dental follicle.
Don’t worry – the healing will take place.
Recovery after wisdom teeth extraction is a gradual process, and some discomfort and swelling are a normal part of the healing process.
The recovery timeline after wisdom teeth removal varies from person to person, but typically looks something like this:
- First 24 hours – blood clots form.
- 2 to 3 days – swelling begins to subside.
- 7n days – your dentist can remove any stitches.
- 7 to 10 days – jaw soreness and stiffness disappear.
- 2 weeks – any facial bruising should have healed.
Want to recover faster?
Listen carefully to your doctor’s recommendations.
You can make your wisdom tooth removal recovery a better experience by taking care not to dislodge post-surgery blood clotting.
Measures to encourage blood clotting – a crucial part of the healing process after wisdom teeth extraction – will also go a long way to prevent infection. Serious complications are rare after wisdom teeth removal but if you get unexpected symptoms like a high temperature – call your dentist, who can prescribe antibiotics.
For the first few days, it’s advisable to:
- Take it easy after the extraction – physical activity can prevent blood clots from developing properly, resulting in bleeding and pain.
- Avoid spitting blood.
- Avoid brushing your teeth.
- Modify your diet.
Further steps you can take to help recovery include:
- Taking over-the-counter pain relief or medication prescribed by your dentist.
- Using a cold compress to help reduce swelling.
- Rinsing your mouth with warm water and salt.
- Gently and slowly opening and closing your mouth a few times a day to ease stiffness.
Time to watch your diet – just for a while!
Immediately after your wisdom teeth surgery, stick to a liquid diet but don’t use a straw – the sucking action can dislodge blood clotting and cause more bleeding. Avoid hot drinks, alcohol and fizzy drinks.
Over the next few days, you can gradually include soft foods that are easy to chew. Ideally, these foods should be rich in protein and vitamins.
Foods that are good for you after wisdom teeth extraction include:
- Soups and broths.
- Mashed potato.
- Mashed bananas.
- Scrambled eggs.
- Yogurt.
- Avocado.
The last thing you need as you recover from your wisdom teeth removal is having to worry about paying for the procedure!
Wisdom teeth removal costs vary with the complexity of the case – at our wisdom teeth removal centre, we offer a full range of interest-free payment plans, so look for a wisdom teeth removal specialist who offers interest-free payment plans to match your budget.
Our highly experienced doctors will make sure that your wisdom teeth removal procedure goes smoothly and our friendly staff will take the best care of you.
