What to Expect After Your Wisdom Teeth Are Pulled

If you’re looking for wisdom teeth extractions near you, then you probably realize that the removal of wisdom teeth will be a relief for your mouth—but recovery takes some care and patience. Understanding what your body will go through after the extraction of wisdom teeth will make the healing process more manageable and easier to endure.

What Will Happen Right After the Extraction?

After having your wisdom teeth extracted, your mouth will be numb due to the anesthesia for several hours. While your mouth is numb, you should:

• Make sure the gauze pads remain in place to soak up and stop the bleeding.
• Bite gently to allow the blood clot to form where the tooth was extracted.
• Refrain from touching the area with either your tongue or fingers.
• Rest for the first day! Stay away from lots of physical activity.

Your dentist near Little Italy will give you instructions regarding pain relief, swelling, and oral care for the next few days.

What to Anticipate within the First 24 Hours?

In order to safeguard the extraction site and prevent difficulties, the first day is the most important. It is typical to encounter the following:

You will experience:

• Swelling in the cheeks and jaw region.
• A little bleeding or oozing in the area.
• Soreness or mild discomfort, which can be controlled with prescribed or over-the-counter pain medication.

Pro tip: For 15 to 20 minutes at a time, apply an ice pack to the outside of your cheeks. This will lessen how much swelling there is.

How to Speed Up Healing After Wisdom Teeth Removal?

If you are wondering how to speed up wisdom teeth recovery time, follow these steps:

• Eat soft foods like yogurt, mashed potatoes, or smoothies for the first few days.
• Drink plenty of fluids as tolerated, but do not use straws. Suction can dislodge the healing clot and disturb the site.
• To maintain the site’s cleanliness, you can rinse it with warm salt water after a day (see your dentist for the exact amount).
• Do not smoke, drink alcohol, or eat hard foods until your dentist gives you the ‘okay.’
• Getting some much-needed rest for the first three days will determine how quickly your mouth heals.

How Soon After Wisdom Teeth Removal Can You Talk?

If you’ve been wanting to know how soon you can start to talk after wisdom teeth removal, it is as soon as you feel comfortable. You can talk as soon as you want, but try not to talk a lot that first day. You should limit how much you open your mouth on the first day, as excessive jaw movements can start to make it uncomfortable and delay healing. If you are going to talk, do so slowly and with minimal opening of the mouth.

What Are the Signs You’re Healing Well?

By the third or fourth day, you should see some of the swelling go down, and eating and talking should be much more comfortable. Signs of healthy recovery include:

• Less swelling and pain every day.
• No bleeding after the first 24–48 hours.
• Progressive return to regular eating habits.

If you experience an increase in pain or bad taste with swelling or pus, please contact your dentist, as it may mean you have an infection.

How Long Until You’re Fully Recovered?

Many people report feeling back to normal within a week, but recovery of the gum tissue, including normal eating, can take an entire month. The bone under the gum also would be recovering, so try not to put too much pressure on this area. Continue to follow your dentist’s recommendation for care until your next appointment.

Ready for a Smooth Recovery? Visit Team Roncesvalles Dentistry

With a kind and encouraging dental team to help you through your recuperation, having your wisdom teeth extracted doesn’t have to be a stressful procedure. At Team Roncesvalles Dentistry, we do our best to ensure that you feel comfortable from your consultation to your final check-up and everything in between so that you have the best possible care with us.

Don’t wait for your wisdom tooth problems to get worse—come in for your visit today and take the first step toward a healthier, pain-free smile. Call us now so that we can make your recovery as easy as possible.

FAQs:

1. Can I brush my teeth the day after having my wisdom teeth extracted?

Prevent brushing the extraction areas for 24 hours. If you do brush, it will be better to go ahead and brush gently to your comfort, but avoid brushing directly over the healing areas.

2. When can I start eating solid foods again?

Most people will start a slow introduction of soft, solid foods (scrambled eggs or pasta) after 3–4 days, depending on their comfort level and progress of healing.

3. How do I get the swelling to go away faster?

For the first 24 hours, you should apply ice packs and keep your head elevated while resting. After the first day, you can use warm compresses to provide circulation for healing.