From having puffy cheeks to eating ice cream for breakfast, there is a lot that comes with wisdom teeth removal. Many people come to me and express their concern over the painful experience they have during the healing stage. While the process can be time-consuming and tough, proper care can actually lead to a quick recovery. If you are also going through a similar situation, then this article is for you. Here, I will discuss how long normal wisdom tooth healing may take, along with some tips and tricks that can help speed up the process. Let’s begin!
How Long Does It Take for Wisdom Teeth to Heal After Removal?
Wisdom teeth are the last molars to erupt. Their eruption can be achy, particularly when there is not enough space for them. When the pain becomes intolerable, tooth removal is the only option that’s left. Many people think the pain ends when the wisdom tooth is removed, which is certainly not the case. The recovery phase can be equally challenging and time-consuming.
The healing time post-removal varies for everyone. Normal wisdom tooth healing takes about 3 – 7 days; however, some patients experience a more prolonged recovery, up to several weeks or months, if the extraction was complex or if they do not follow the aftercare instructions. Though the gums heal naturally in 2 weeks, it’s the deeper tissues and bones that take months to fully recover.
Why Fast Wisdom Teeth Healing Is Important for Your Oral Health
Faster healing after wisdom tooth removal is crucial for several reasons. During the recovery phase, you may feel intense pain or pressure, which can inhibit your ability to properly eat or speak. Not just this, the pain can be so fierce that it may even hinder your ability to focus, thereby greatly impacting your routine activities. Faster healing can minimize the discomfort and allow you to return to your routine activities. Moreover, it can also lower the risk of infection and prevent jaw stiffness. However, to ensure a quicker recovery, you must religiously follow all the aftercare instructions.
Step-by-Step Wisdom Teeth Aftercare for Faster Healing
For a faster wisdom tooth recovery, you must follow these steps in the first 48 hours after surgery:
Rest Well
After you get your wisdom tooth removed, you must rest well. Try to minimize exertion in the first two days after the surgery for maximum comfort.
Use Ice Packs
If you experience pain, redness, or inflammation, use ice packs on the outer part of your cheek. They can help numb the pain and reduce swelling.
Eat Soft Foods
This is very important. Make sure to only eat soft foods after the surgery, such as smoothies, yoghurt, scrambled eggs, mashed potatoes, and ice cream. You can also have bread, beans, and cooked vegetables as a more filling option.
Stay Hydrated
Drinking water is more important than you think. Staying hydrated helps ease the discomfort and speed up the healing. However, make sure to only drink water from a glass or bottle, and completely avoid using straws as they may dislodge the clot.
Take Medicines
Make sure to timely take all the medicines that your dentist has prescribed, such as painkillers, antibiotics, etc. They can be a driving force in making the recovery process more manageable for you.
Wisdom Teeth Recovery Mistakes You Should Avoid
During my years of experience in the field of dentistry, I have encountered many patients who come to me post-surgery and report a painful recovery. In most such cases, the patients make certain mistakes that slow down the recovery process and worsen the pain. To ensure you have a smooth recovery, I would like to share some common mistakes, made by most patients, that you can avoid if you want to speed up the healing process. These include:
- Eating hard foods in the first few days after surgery
- Drinking water through a straw
- Excessive consumption of alcohol or tobacco
- Skipping medicines
- Touching the wound
- Ignoring trouble signs like swelling or intense pain
Pro Tips for a Smooth Wisdom Teeth Recovery
Based on my strong foundation and extensive background in dental care, there are some safe bet tips I want to share with you for a smooth wisdom teeth recovery. Following these tips can not only speed up the healing process but also make recovery more manageable for you.
To begin with, make cold foods, such as ice cream and smoothies, your best friends during the recovery process. They can help reduce pain and swelling. Moreover, sleep with your head slightly elevated to reduce discomfort in the first 48 hours post-surgery.
Apart from this, keep gauze pads readily available and use them if you notice bleeding. Make sure to change the pads every few hours as needed. Lastly, do saltwater rinses every now and then to minimize pain and keep the area clean. Seek professional help if you notice trouble signs like excessive bleeding, swelling, redness, or pain that keeps getting worse.
Why Patients Trust LiT Dental For Wisdom Tooth Removal
Wisdom tooth removal is a complex treatment that should only be performed by a skilled dentist. As a professional McKinney dentist, I can offer you the safest and most comfortable wisdom tooth extraction at LiT Dental. I strive to provide the most painless experience possible to each of my patients, which is why we share a rock-solid bond of trust. Not just this, patients trust me for all kinds of cosmetic as well as restorative and general dentistry procedures, such as teeth whitening, root canal, and tooth extraction. Rely on LiT Dental for a safe wisdom tooth removal, and allow me to help you through the healing process. Schedule your appointment today!
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CONCLUSION
Many people are of the view that wisdom tooth pain ends when it is removed, which is a false narrative. The recovery phase is equally challenging and time-consuming. It can take anywhere from 3 days to several weeks, based on different factors. To speed up the healing process, make sure you follow all the aftercare instructions and get your wisdom tooth removed only from a skilled dentist. Choosing LiT Dental for your wisdom teeth removal is a decision you certainly won’t regret.
Call LiT Dental now at (972) 369-7811.
