The thought of having your wisdom teeth removed in the dental chair sounds petrifying, even though it is a very commonly done dental procedure. The following Recovery Guide will not only help you through the procedure but also aims to help you quickly bounce back to your normal daily life.
Day-1: Planning Ahead
A great way to go into ANYTHING is with a plan! We recommend the following:
You should not feel any pain during the wisdom tooth removal because of the anesthesia. Start your pain medications and antibiotics (if any) as soon as you feel the first bout of pain, so your body is better prepared to deal with the pain as the anesthetics wears off.
Your dentist will give you some sterile gauze to bite on for the next hour or so. Start your liquid diet when your sensations return. Remember to drink water to keep yourself hydrated!
Avoid brushing or rinsing the site of extraction for the next 24 hours at least as this may remove the blood clot which is your body’s natural defence against bacterial infections.
The Next Day or Two: Feeling a Little Better
The first 24-hours following the procedure can make some people very anxious. You’ll probably feel bouts of pain come and go as you continue to recover. Be sure to take regular painkillers prescribed by the doctor (even if you feel the pain may be minimal at times) so your pain tolerance is better regulated.
You may still see some oozing of blood from the cuts and the wounds. If this happens, change to a fresh gauze and bite down. Ice pack to the areas may help reduce swelling and inflammation. Apply an ice pack every 20-minutes or so with at least 30-minute intervals in between each application.
Continue with your liquids-only diet and rest up.
2 – 3 Days Later: The Swelling Reduces
After 48-hours the pain, swelling, and discomfort should have reduced significantly. Even the intermittent bleeding should have subsided.
Alternately, you may want to rinse with diluted mouthwash a couple of times a day. By this stage, you may feel like you can start brushing your teeth. If you do make sure to do so very lightly.
Remember to take your antibiotics regularly (as prescribed!)
4 Days Later: You’re Almost There!
The pain and swelling should have substantially subsided by now.
Your use of pain medication should also REDUCE 72 hours after the procedure.
Unfortunately, it’s still not yet time to order that burger or steak! However, you may now be ready to switch from a liquid-only diet to eating soft or processed foods – like yogurt, porridge and pureed vegetables such as soups.
You may still need to take it easy though, try and avoid doing strenuous house work or heavy activities (Rest is key to recovery!)
Most patients have fully recovered by day 5, following the extraction. If you haven’t progressed as outlined in the timeline above, it many be a good idea to consult your doctor, as you may experience a non-healing condition called Dry Socket.
Even though wisdom teeth removal may sound very daunting, rest assured that it is done on a daily basis on many patients. Having an experienced dental surgeon looking after you can make a big difference to your wisdom tooth experience! If you need any advice regarding your wisdom tooth removal, be sure to give us a call on 9978 4869!