Tips for a Fast Recovery from Wisdom Tooth Removal
If you’re reading this, it’s probably because you’ve been told you need a wisdom teeth removal procedure and you’re freaking out about recovery.
Typically, getting your wisdom teeth out is one of those experiences you dread because of the recounts you’ve heard from others.
“My dad said it was the worst pain imaginable.”
“My brother ended up with dry socket after his wisdom teeth removal, which got infected.”
“A friend of mine said she had two dentists trying to yank her wisdom teeth out.”
But recovering from wisdom teeth removal can be much more manageable than others might lead you to believe.
1. Prepare for the Procedure and Plan Your Recovery
Do not ‘wing it’ or plan to get straight back to work after your wisdom teeth removal – getting your wisdom teeth out is considered a surgical procedure and you need time to recover.
The full healing process lasts around two weeks; however, you should experience significant improvement within 2-3 days.
Before your wisdom teeth removal, your dentist should provide you with some guidelines for recovery post-procedure, which you should adhere to in order to help with a speedy recovery.
It is worthwhile considering your entire recovery process before the procedure takes place, from how you’re getting home after the procedure to how you can best recover with some time off work.
2. Follow Your Dentists’ Advice
This tip ties into the first, but there is a wealth of advice that your dentist will have for you post-procedure and it’s important to follow it.
Your dentist will recommend some care advice to assist with recovery, such as:
- Restrict strenuous activities, including vigorous gym workouts, running etc. – anything that would elevate your heartrate.
- Avoid certain foods and consume more soft foods and liquids
- Avoid touching the inside of your mouth around the extraction site.
- Rinse your mouth with warm salt water 24 hours after the procedure.
- No rinsing straight away. When rinsing, you must be gentle. Place the salty water in your mouth and move your head gently from side to side. When spitting, do not force the water out, instead, just let the water fall out of your mouth slowly.
- Take medication as directed, particularly anti-inflammatories, pain medication and antibiotics (if prescribed).
3. Rest, Rest, and More Rest
Wisdom teeth removal is an outpatient procedure performed in your dentist’s office and most patients will experience mild discomfort, pain and swelling for around three days post-procedure.
However, if you’re feeling minimal pain, it’s important to not just jump back into a regular routine. Some activities, like exercise or strenuous work, may dislodge the blood clot from the extraction site, causing dry socket.
Your dentist may recommend for you to take a day or two off work to help you with your recovery. They can provide you with a doctors certificate for your workplace.
4. Be Cautious of What You Eat
While your mouth will be tender and you may not feel like eating much, you still need to eat! That said, you also need to stay away from certain types of foods, which can get stuck in the extraction site, cause stinging or otherwise injure your mouth.
Some of the foods to avoid include:
- Foods that crumble easily, such as chips, crackers, cookies or foods containing nuts, as they can get lodged in the wound.
- Acidic food and drink
- Spicy food
- Sticky food like caramel or anything that requires you to open your mouth wide
You should also avoid drinking from a straw after your wisdom teeth removal, as the sucking motion can cause the blood clots in your wound to dislodge, which can lead to painful dry sockets.
5. Rinse With Salt Water
A warm salt water rinse is a great way to help alleviate pain and rinse any leftover blood or food from your mouth. However, you shouldn’t rinse your mouth until at least 24 hours post procedure.
It’s important to do this gently, as the rinsing motion can also dislodge any blood clots that have formed in your wound, as mentioned above.
Wisdom Teeth Removal with Glen Forrest Dental Care
At Glen Forrest Dental Care, we are committed to providing the highest level of care to each of our customers, ensuring that troublesome wisdom teeth are carefully removed, and our customers are provided with the best aftercare and advice to help them recover.
If you need wisdom teeth removal in Perth, call Glen Forrest Dental Care today to book an appointment with our trusted, friendly and skilled dentists.
