So you recently had your wisdom teeth removed. You might not be feeling any less wise, but you could be in some pain. Don’t worry — this is temporary, and this very common procedure is performed often at our dental clinic in Egg Harbor.
Wisdom Teeth Surgery Recovery: What to Expect
It’s typical to be fully recovered after wisdom teeth surgery within four days. In some cases, it may take up to a full week, such as if one of more of your teeth were impacted. That being said, the wound from your surgery will not be fully healed for months, so it is still possible to develop an infection quite some time after your procedure. That’s why it is important to take care of yourself and keep tuned into what is going on in your mouth.
The day after surgery, you can go back to your regular schedule, but be mindful of anything that could be a problem for your stitches or blood clot over the wound. Examples include smoking, drinking from a straw, and exercising strenuously. While it’s normal to experience some swelling, pain, and bleeding, you should call your dentist in Egg Harbor if your pain is unbearable. By the end of the fourth day, you should be feeling much better, and within a week, you should be free of pain and bleeding.
Symptoms You Should Watch For
As we said before, wisdom teeth surgery is a routine procedure that usually doesn’t come with many complications. However, some symptoms you might experience indicate nerve damage or infection. Make sure to talk to you doctor if you experience:
- Difficulty breathing or swallowing
- Ineffective pain management through medication
- Worsening swelling
- Fever
- Numbness
- Blood coming out of your nose
- Bleeding that won’t stop
Home Care After Wisdom Teeth Removal
Make sure to note any home care instructions provided by your dentist at the time of your procedure. It’s very important to follow these guidelines carefully. In general, we will advise you to rinse with salt water to clean the wound. Don’t spit out the water; instead, lean over the sink and let it seep out of your mouth. Then, softly dab gauze on the wound. You want to make sure the scab isn’t disturbed for a week, as this can make it more painful and cause infection, called a “dry socket.”
For pain management, you can ice the area or take pain medication. Your dentist can give you specific instructions on how long to ice your face, just make sure to use a barrier such as a towel between your face and the ice.
We wish you a speedy wisdom tooth surgery recovery. If you’re looking for a dentist in Manahawkin, contact Smiles by Dr. Santos today!