If your wisdom teeth are causing you pain or are putting you at risk for oral health complications, it’s generally in your best interest to have them removed as soon as possible. Once your wisdom tooth extraction is complete, your mouth will need time to fully heal. Just how long will the recovery process take? What can you expect during this time? And how can you make sure everything goes as smoothly as possible?
The Recovery Timeline for Wisdom Tooth Extraction
It typically takes around two weeks to fully recover after a wisdom tooth extraction. Here’s a brief overview of what the timeline will look like:
- The First 24 Hours: A blood clot will form at the extraction site. The purpose of the blood clot is to protect the exposed nerves and bone tissue while the mouth is healing.
- Days 1-3: During the first few days of the recovery process, you’re likely to experience some swelling and soreness. The swelling will normally reach its peak by day three; after that, it should gradually subside.
- Days 4-10: Your soreness should fade over time. Many people feel mostly normal by days seven to ten.
- Days 11-14: After about two weeks, any facial bruising that occurred after your extraction will have largely gone away.
Tips for a Smooth Wisdom Tooth Recovery
If you want to keep the recovery process on track following your wisdom tooth extraction, then it’s important to adhere to any aftercare instructions that your dentist gives you. Below are some of the steps you should follow while your mouth is healing:
- Protect Your Blood Clot: If the blood clot at the extraction site is dislodged, it can cause significant discomfort and slow down healing. To keep the blood clot safe, you should avoid drinking through a straw, spitting, or directly touching the site.
- Give Yourself Time to Rest: You will need to spend some time resting at home following the extraction process. In many cases, you should be able to return to your normal routine after about three to five days.
- Use an Ice Pack: You can keep swelling under control by holding an ice pack over the affected area for 15-minute intervals.
- Stick to Soft Foods: While your mouth is healing, you should plan on sticking to a diet of soft foods such as mashed potatoes, scrambled eggs, and soup that isn’t too hot.
- Practice Good Oral Hygiene: To minimize the risk of an infection occurring after your wisdom tooth extraction, you should regularly rinse your mouth with salt water. You can continue to brush your teeth like normal, but you’ll need to be careful near the extraction site.
By following the right steps during the recovery process after your wisdom tooth extraction, you can avoid unnecessary complications and keep yourself as comfortable as possible. If you have any questions or concerns during your recovery, don’t hesitate to let your dentist know.
About the Author
Dr. Gus Bal graduated from Boston University Goldman School of Dental Medicine in 1994. He was voted as “Best Dentist in Scarborough” by the Readers Choice Awards multiple times. Today, at Nepean Dental Centre, he offers his patients a comprehensive menu of services that includes safe, comfortable wisdom tooth extractions. If you think it may be time for your wisdom teeth to come out, you can schedule an appointment with Dr. Bal by visiting his website or calling (613) 228-8768.