So, you’ve taken the leap and had your wisdom teeth removed. While it’s a common procedure, the days that follow are crucial for a smooth recovery.
Here’s what you need to know:
Safe Journey Home: After the procedure, especially if you’ve had a sedative, make sure you have someone to drive you home. It’s all about ensuring you get back safely.
Managing Discomfort: A bit of pain at the outset is expected, a tooth extraction is technically an amputation after all. Would you expect zero pain after any other surgery?
Follow the pain relief instructions given to you, and always avoid applying anything directly to the surgical site. All effective pain relief will be systemic, so ingested from tablets and not a topical application. Home remedies are not recommended. If the pain doesn’t seem to let up or gets worse, it’s a good idea to get in touch with your dentist.
Swelling & Mobility: It’s common to experience some swelling or find it a tad tricky to move your jaw. If this doesn’t improve over a few days or seems to get worse, reach out to your dental clinic.
Possible Bruising: A little bruising or discoloration below the jaw might make an appearance, but it’s a part of the healing process.
Rest and Recovery: People often wonder “How many days off do you need for wisdom teeth?” or ask: “Can I go to work the next day after wisdom tooth extraction?” Consider taking up to four days off work or school. Use this time to:
- Relax and recover.
- Stick to a soft-food diet. Think along the lines of custards, soups, and soft boiled eggs.
- NO physical activity is recommended during this period as the boney socket wound site can be disrupted easily by an elevated heart rate and start to bleed again. If this happens you risk a very painful surgical side effect known as ‘dry socket’
Oral Hygiene during Healing: The mouth is a resilient healer, but it’s essential to keep it clean, especially when you’re still eating and talking during the recovery phase. Good oral hygiene helps fend off potential infections.
About Bleeding: A slight reddish hue to your saliva due to mild bleeding can occur. However, each day should bring noticeable improvement.
A Note on Stitches: If you feel something unusual in your gums, those might be the absorbable stitches. They typically dissolve on their own in about a week to ten days.
Recovery is a unique journey for everyone. Stick to these guidelines, and don’t hesitate to ask questions or voice concerns to your dentist. Here’s to a comfortable and swift recovery!
