Wisdom teeth removal is one of the common dental surgeries and it helps in preventing issues like cyst formation, repeated infection of soft tissues beneath the wisdom teeth. Wisdom teeth are a set of 4 molars that emerge between the ages of 17 and 25. Our mouth does not have enough space for these teeth, which leads to various discomforts like pain, tooth shifting, etc.
Generally, all third-molar teeth are not problematic. Dentists observed that around 10% of wisdom teeth develop infection whereas 12% will become impacted. Hence dental doctors recommend extracting the third molar teeth when it causes trouble.
Like other dental surgeries, wisdom teeth extraction also takes a lot of time to recover. In this article, our oral surgeons have listed the essential aftercare instructions to speed up the recovery after wisdom teeth removal.
1) Take complete rest
You should return to your routine works slowly following the surgery because our body needs sufficient rest to heal wounds or illness. So you should take rest for a day after extracting the wisdom teeth surgically. A deep sleep after the surgery is also helpful in reducing swelling.
In general, our body takes a minimum a week to fully recover after third molar removal surgery. If you involve in any strenuous activity in this period, the blood clots developed in the surgery site will break and eventually ends in a dry socket.
So we advise take complete rest and do not indulge in any heavy physical activities for a few days after the surgery.
2) Don’t ignore bleeding
Mild bleeding for the first 24 hours after wisdom tooth removal is normal. If it persists after that, you should consult your dentist. If it is not treated at times, the developed blood clots will break and might provide a way for bacteria invasion.
We recommend the following remedies to reduce bleeding and pain around the extraction site:
- Bite down gently on a gauze pad for a few minutes.
- Bite down tea bags for 15 minutes when you notice bleeding
3) Keep the jaw moving
At times, you might feel stiffness in the jaw after oral surgery. Wisdom teeth extraction is not an exception. So it is mandatory to do jaw exercises like opening & closing the mouth slowly.
It helps in stimulating blood flow towards the extraction site that promotes healing.
4) Stick to soft foods
You should take healthier foods for fast healing whilst you have to ensure the cuisines you are taking do not break the blood clots. Switching to a soft diet menu for a few days after the wisdom tooth removal is recommended. Likewise, you should drink a lot of water but use a straw while taking beverages and soups.
Here is the list of foods we recommend for our patients after wisdom teeth removal:
- Boiled eggs
- Smashed potatoes
- Curd rice
- Khichdi
- Porridge
- Mashed rice
- Smoothies
- Mashed potatoes
On the other hand, refrain from spicy, crunchy, and chewy foods because they can get wedged at the surgery site.
5) Don’t smoke and drink
Alcohol, tobacco products in cigarettes, E-cigarettes are powerful to irritate the tissues in the extraction. It delays the healing process and even dislodges the blood clots formed. Hence you should stay away from chewing tobacco, smoking, and alcohol consumption until you recover completely.
6) Keep a check on the side effects
The discomforts you encounter after removing the third molars surgically will decrease gradually. You will feel better in the following days. In contrast, if you notice any atypical symptoms, contact your dentist.
You should monitor the following atypical signs after wisdom teeth removal:
- Numbness
- Uncontrolled bleeding
- Fever
- Difficulty in chewing or swallowing
- Pus from the nose
- Swelling in gums around the site of surgery
Bottom line
In common, Your dentist will give you a list of things to do after wisdom tooth removal to prevent infection. In case of wisdom teeth removal, you will feel better from the 3rd day and can recover completely within a week if you follow the suggested post-care instructions.
