What to Expect After Wisdom Tooth Removal
April 16, 2023
Wisdom teeth, also known as the third molars, are your last set of molars to emerge. They typically erupt when you’re in your late teens or early twenties.
Not everyone may experience problems with their wisdom teeth but if you do, it can be for a number of reasons. One of the main reasons behind why wisdom teeth can cause you trouble is the fact that by the time they start to emerge, there may not be enough space in your mouth. In addition, wisdom teeth can also give you trouble when they emerge at an angle, get stuck against neighboring teeth or emerge partially.
If your wisdom teeth are causing you trouble, it’s best to talk to our dentist to see if you need to get them removed. Removal will offer you some relief from the discomfort and you also won’t have to worry about complications in the future.
Symptoms of Wisdom Teeth Infection
Some symptoms of wisdom teeth infection include:
- pain and sensitivity
- facial swelling
- inflamed gums near your wisdom tooth
- difficulty swallowing and opening the mouth
- food getting stuck and difficulty in cleaning your teeth
If any of these symptoms sound familiar to you, it’s best to consult our dentist ASAP. If necessary, our experienced dental team will carry out your wisdom teeth removal procedure, and you will be in safe hands.
Recovering from Wisdom Teeth Removal
What to Expect
When the anaesthetic wears off, you are likely to feel some initial discomfort. This is completely normal, and your dentist will prescribe medication to help ease this. It’s also normal to experience swelling after wisdom tooth removal. Place an ice pack over your face to help with the swelling and initial pain you may be experiencing. If you continue to experience any pain after 2-3 days, make sure to contact our dentist as soon as possible.
Our dentist will have a thorough discussion with you on how wisdom tooth removal works and the right steps to follow after the procedure. If you follow our dentist’s instructions and get plenty of rest, your recovery is bound to be smooth and speedy.
Recovery Time
Everyone’s recovery is different. While recovery time can vary from person to person, it can typically take up to 2 weeks. However, with proper care and rest, you should be able to resume your regular activities within a week. Our team at Melton Dental will give you individualised post-operative care instructions to make sure you have a smooth recovery.
Care After Wisdom-Tooth Surgery
Here are a few things you can do to ensure a speedy recovery:
- Take medication as prescribed to manage the pain.
- Avoid aggressively rinsing your mouth out or spitting out.
- Avoid using straws as this has a suction motion that will disrupt the healing.
- In the first 24-48 hours, only consume liquids like soups and juices, and avoid anything hot. You can gradually begin eating soft, easy-to-chew foods after 24-48 hours depending on your healing process.
- Hold warm, salty water in your mouth after meals. We recommend doing this at least 24 hours after surgery.
- Get plenty of rest and try to avoid talking for a couple of hours after surgery.
- Do not smoke for at least 48 hours after the surgery.
- Refrain from consuming alcohol and engaging in strenuous exercise or activities.
- Be gentle and careful when brushing your teeth in the days following the procedure to avoid dislodging the blood clot formed over the extraction site. If dislodged, you can develop dry socket, which can be painful.
Don’t worry, with our experienced team by your side, we’ll make sure you have all the information you need to make quick work of your wisdom tooth removal.
If you have any concerns or questions about your wisdom teeth, our friendly team is always here to help you! So contact or visit us today!