Do you know what to expect after your wisdom teeth removal? This post can definitely help answer some questions. Whether you’re contemplating making an appointment or you already have one set, there’s no need to stress. Recovery can look different for each person, but there are tips you can follow to make sure you’re comfortable.
After your procedure, you may experience the following:
- Some mild bruising on your cheek
- A swollen mouth and cheeks
- Tingling sensation or numbness on your face, lips or tongue
- A stiff jaw or a sore jaw
- An unpleasant taste in your mouth
- Pain in your mouth and jaw
Depending on the type of anesthesia given, you may wake up still in the dental chair or be moved to a recovery room. As the sedation wears off, and once you feel ready, you will be sent home. You should have someone with you for this.
Aftercare at home
Once you get home, you can use an ice pack on your cheek where the swelling is. Make sure you have enough soft food during the week of your recovery.
Activities you should not be doing while your stitches heal include:
- Strenuous activities like exercise
- Spitting
- Smoking
- Drinking with a straw
Pain management
If you experience moderate pain after your wisdom teeth procedure, take Tylenol or Ibuprofen every three to four hours. Your dentist will typically give you a prescription for something stronger in case the pain gets worse. If side effects occur, like rashes, stop taking them.
Pain meds may typically make you feel dizzy, so be sure not to stand up too suddenly. Your pain should also lessen each day so if it persists, call our dentist in Markham.
Eating and drinking after your procedure
It’s essential to be conscious of what you eat or drink after your wisdom tooth surgery to avoid infection.
Obviously, you will not be able to eat food that requires chewing. Eat soft food that is high in protein and try not to miss any meals. Be sure to avoid any food that is too seedy or crumby, so nothing gets lodged in your wound.
Drink a lot of liquids, at least five to six glasses each day. When drinking, you should avoid straws. That is because the sucking can dislodge the blood clots that are trying to help your wound heal.
In case of excessive bleeding
While slight bleeding and red saliva are normal during recovery, that’s definitely not good if there’s too much. To control excessive bleeding, place a gauze pad over the area and bite down for 30 minutes. If the bleeding continues, bite down on a moist teabag for another 30 minutes. Remember to stay calm and sit upright when doing this.
Typical recovery time
An extraction can be very painful and take up to a week of recovery.
A simple extraction has an average of 3 to 4 days of recovery time at home. During recovery, your focus should be on resting and gaining back your strength. If the teeth that were pulled out were impacted, the pain might continue for an entire week.
Don’t worry, though! As the days of recovery go by, daily tasks will get easier.
If you experience any complications during your recovery, do not hesitate to call our clinic. Our team of dentists in Markham will be ready to help you.
If you’ve still got your wisdom teeth, book an appointment with Forestbrook Dental today or ask us about the cost.
