Wisdom teeth can be a menace. It can take years to erupt out of gums and cause intense, painful episodes during the process. If you’re facing it right now, getting it removed can be a healthy option. 

We know it sounds scary, and you may have many questions like:

How long will the pain last after removal?

When will the swelling subside?

When can you eat solid food after the procedure?

And most importantly:

What if the recovery process doesn’t go smoothly?

These are all valid questions, and so we got in touch with one of the best clinics in the US, Open and Affordable Dental, for expert advice on wisdom teeth removal, recovery and the aftercare. Let usl walk you through everything you need to know before deciding to get your wisdom teeth removed. 

What Happens After Wisdom Teeth Removal?

Right after the procedure, you’ll likely feel groggy from local anaesthesia. You can experience minor swelling, bleeding, and soreness in the jaw. But that’s completely normal. Your dental surgeon will give you a gauze or cotton to bite on, instruct you about the pain management, and a prescription for antibiotics to prevent infection. 

In the first 24 hours, you’ll need to:

• Keep your head elevated and rest as much as possible
• Avoid spitting or using a straw (it may dislodge the blood clot and resume the bleeding)
• Stick to soft foods like yoghurt, smoothies, or mashed potatoes.

We suggest reading a helpful guide on wisdom teeth recovery; it’ll help you understand what each phase of healing entails and how you can prevent any sort of complications. 

Days 2-3: Managing Discomfort and Swelling

The swelling remains and even peaks in 48-72 hours after the removal procedure, and you’ll still feel discomfort around the jaw. Using an ice pack in a 20-minute interval for the first 48 hours can significantly help reduce the inflammation. 

Besides that, OTC medicines like ibuprofen can help with both swelling and discomfort. Just take your medicines on time and stick to mostly cold food to keep the bleeding and swelling reduced. 

You may also notice some bruising on your jaw or cheeks. But again, that’s completely normal. For most people, the pain begins to significantly subside by day three. 

Days 4-7: Healing Speeds Up

By day 4, much soreness and swelling should be fading. You can begin rinsing the mouth gently with warm salt water to keep the area clean. Please avoid brushing directly over the extraction site or a few teeth near it. 

However, you must ensure good oral hygiene to prevent the chances of infection. 

At this stage, you can start switching to more solid foods, just make sure they are not crunchy or spicy, which may irritate the extraction site. 

What To Watch Out For

While swelling, soreness, and discomfort are normal after wisdom teeth extraction, you must watch out for signs of complications:

Dry Socket: The extraction site needs to have a clot after extraction. If you find an empty socket and notice intense pain, immediately consult your surgeon. 

Infection: If you notice any fever, pus formation at the extraction site, foul taste or smell in your mouth, it can be a sign of infection. 

Excessive bleeding: The bleeding usually stops after 30 minutes of applying the gauze. If you’re still bleeding afterwards, that suggests a complication.

If you notice any of these conditions, don’t look them up on the internet; you must immediately contact your dentist.

Healing Tips from Certified Dentists

Here are a couple of aftercare tips that dentists swear by:

• Stay hydrated while avoiding carbonated drinks and alcohol.
• Avoid smoking and vaping, as they can delay healing. 
• Keep your mouth clear to avoid infections, but don’t overdo it. 
• Sleep with your head elevated to reduce pressure and swelling.
• Avoid strenuous physical activity for the first few days. 
• Don’t touch the extraction site with your fingers or tongue. 
• Choose nutrient-rich soft foods for the first week, like bone broth, blended soups, or smoothies with added protein for better healing. 

The Bottom Line

Teeth extraction is not exactly fun, especially if its wisdom teeth. But you must not let it overwhelm you. 

Most people recover to a significant degree within the first week, which is a better bargain if you compare it to the painful episodes that wisdom teeth cause every few months for years. 

When you have a solid recovery plan in place, healing becomes much more manageable. Just make sure to choose a trustworthy dental or oral surgeon who knows what they’re doing, and you’ll be good to go.