Wisdom teeth are the back molars in our mouths and tend to erupt between the ages of 17 and 21. Most people do not have enough room in their jaw for wisdom teeth to properly erupt. Wisdom teeth can be impacted, or cause issues once they erupt such as overcrowding or infection.
If you require wisdom teeth surgery you may wonder how the recovery will be. Wisdom teeth removal is a common procedure and recovery tends to be pretty easy. The recovery period after wisdom teeth removal is around a week. This depends on the person, and in some cases, the recovery period may take longer if the wisdom teeth are impacted.
What Can I Expect During My Recovery?
Wisdom teeth surgery is done in one appointment, and anesthesia is typically used to help keep patients comfortable and relaxed. After your surgery, you will be brought into a recovery room where you will be monitored until it is safe to go home. We require all patients to bring a family member or friend to the surgery to help get them home safely.
A few hours after your surgery you will regain feeling in your mouth. Swelling and some bleeding are normal, and this should subside after a few days. A cold compress can be used on your mouth at home to help with any swelling or pain. Our team will discuss pain medications, and give you instructions you can take home.
We recommend all patients follow a soft food diet and avoid any alcohol or tobacco products. Patients should avoid using a straw as this can aggravate the surgery area and cause complications. On average patients begin to feel fully recovered around three to four days after their surgery. Patients should follow good oral hygiene habits to help keep the surgery area clean and avoid infection. If you notice any prolonged pain, swelling, or bleeding that does not subside, please call our office to be seen right away.
Looking for Wisdom Teeth Removal and Want To Learn More?
If you are interested in finding out more about wisdom teeth removal contact Smile Design. Dr. Imeni has years of experience in wisdom teeth removal and provides the highest level of care. If you are experiencing any pain, or think you may have an issue with your wisdom teeth, we recommend contacting us right away. Any issues with wisdom teeth should be addressed immediately to avoid complications.
To find out more, or to schedule your wisdom teeth consultation, contact Smile Design Modern Dentistry today!
What Does a Typical Recovery Timeline Look Like?
- Days 1–2: the most swelling and discomfort. Bleeding should settle within a few hours. Use ice on the outside of the cheek in 20-minute intervals.
- Days 3–4: swelling peaks around day two to three, then begins to fall. Switch from ice to gentle warmth.
- Days 5–7: most people are back to normal routines and eating a wider range of soft foods.
- Weeks 2–4: the gum tissue closes over. Any remaining stiffness in the jaw usually resolves here.
- Months 3–6: the underlying bone finishes filling in — invisible to you, but it is why we advise care with the site for a while.
What Is Dry Socket and How Do You Avoid It?
Dry socket is the most common complication, and it is largely preventable. It happens when the blood clot protecting the socket is dislodged before the tissue underneath has healed, exposing bone and nerve. It typically appears three to five days after surgery as a sudden, deep ache that spreads toward the ear, often with a bad taste. To avoid it, for at least 72 hours: no straws, no smoking, no vigorous rinsing or spitting. Each creates suction or pressure that pulls the clot free. If a deep ache starts several days after surgery just as you were improving, call us — it is easily treated, but it will not settle on its own.
What Should You Eat While Healing?
Stay with cool, soft foods for the first few days: yoghurt, smoothies eaten with a spoon rather than a straw, mashed potato, scrambled egg, soup that is warm rather than hot. Avoid anything crunchy, seeded, spicy, or chewy until the site has closed — seeds and grains lodging in the socket are a common cause of a slow, irritated recovery.
When Should You Call the Office?
Get in touch if you have bleeding that does not slow after sustained pressure, swelling that worsens after day three rather than improving, a fever, numbness that persists beyond the day of surgery, or pain that increases rather than decreases. Call Smile Design Modern Dentistry at (919) 220-5505.