Wisdom tooth extractions can be complex oral surgery procedures. After the sedation wears off, it’s essential to rest and get plenty of restful sleep. Mild to moderate discomfort is normal after extractions but can be managed using over-the-counter pain relievers like Tylenol or Ibuprofen or prescription pain medications.
Ice is also useful in soothing pain and swelling, as well as bruising. Stick with soft foods and stay hydrated to maximize healing.
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Pain
Painful recovery for wisdom teeth surgery can be expected as it results from pressure exerted on other teeth and the jawbone by an erupted wisdom tooth pushing on other ones. Your surgeon may inject an anesthetic injection to temporarily relieve any discomfort; but once this wears off it’s common to feel an ache in both your mouth and jaw that could increase with time after the procedure.
Over-the-counter pain medication will provide immediate relief. To achieve optimal results, follow the prescribed dosage. Heat can also help ease jaw discomfort by increasing blood flow to it – try placing a heating pad or towel-wrapped ice pack against your jaw for 15 minutes at a time to alleviate pain.
Reducing strain and complications by resting for 3 to 5 days following wisdom teeth extraction can help ensure you recover and avoid complications, which could arise as a result. Avoid strenuous activities and physical labor and be sure to leave gauze in place for 30-60 minutes post procedure for blood control purposes and dry socket prevention.
Swelling
After extracting wisdom teeth, swelling can often occur. But this can be reduced with some simple recovery tips and by avoiding certain foods and drinks that irritate extraction sites.
As part of your initial recovery period, it’s crucial to leave a blood clot behind to protect and promote healing of the tooth socket and promote recovery. A small amount of oozing may occur; if excessive bleeding occurs please notify your oral surgeon.
Your doctor may advise against eating crunchy or hard foods that could aggravate the surgical site, such as crunchy nuts. Instead, opt for soft diet options that are easy to chew and swallow, like soup. Furthermore, rest and water intake is equally as essential to ensure quick healing timeframe and reduced complications risk. Typically three days off is necessary; if your job requires physical exertion it could take even longer.
Bleeding
As part of the natural response to extracting wisdom teeth, blood may begin oozing from the extraction site after wisdom tooth extraction. This bleeding should stop once the wound has formed a blood clot within 24 hours.
At its core, maintaining the blood clot is of utmost importance and must not become dislodged or loose from its position. A dislodged blood clot exposes bone tissues and nerves to infection or pain if dislodged from its position.
To prevent this from happening, patients should refrain from brushing or using mouthwash for at least an hour after wisdom tooth extraction surgery to allow time for their blood clot to form and then gently bite down on gauze for one more hour to help facilitate its formation. After that period, regular oral hygiene practices should resume but care must be taken when cleaning around the extraction site.
To address bleeding effectively, take it easy for several days if necessary and stay off work if possible. Gradually resuming activities will support healing while decreasing risks of complications.
Discomfort
As soon as wisdom teeth have been extracted, discomfort and pain may arise. If this persists, over-the-counter medication such as ibuprofen may help ease it by reducing inflammation and blocking pain signals.
Before the wound heals completely, it’s essential that any attempt at rubbing or chewing the area be avoided, in order to protect against dislodging blood clots that could dislodge and potentially lead to painful complications like dry socket.
After surgery, soft foods like yogurt, applesauce and cottage cheese should be consumed within the first few days to aid recovery and avoid anything that might trigger nausea such as fatty, oily or greasy items that could make matters worse.
At this stage, it’s also crucial to limit any activities which increase your heart rate as this can increase bleeding near the surgical site. A prescription-strength mouth rinse should be provided to you to help control bleeding and promote healing, with start dates recommended 48 hours post-op; use it instead of your toothbrush!
