If you’re planning a wisdom tooth removal, you must be wondering how long you’ll have to rest and when you’ll be able to go back to your normal activities. If you live in the Temecula area, you can find a great wisdom teeth removal specialist to walk you through the process. Your doctor will give you simple instructions to help recover sooner.Â
If you’d still like to know more about the healing process after a wisdom tooth extraction, keep reading. You’ll discover the most important do’s and don’ts as well as find out the typical duration of recovery.
What are the do’s and don’ts after wisdom teeth removal?
There are some simple guidelines to help you get through the post-extraction period more easily. While your doctor will talk to you in detail about your specific situation, here are a few things to keep in mind during the recovery process.
What to do
- Bite on a gauze: You’ll leave your dental office with a piece of gauze at the extraction site. Your doctor will tell you to bite on it for the next half an hour to stop the bleeding.
- Relax as much as possible: Rest for a few days after the procedure. While you don’t have to stay in bed, staying at home without exerting yourself is advisable.
- Keep your head up: While some swelling is perfectly normal after a surgery, elevating your head will reduce it.
- Apply ice packs to your face: You should hold an ice pack next to your face for the first day or two after the removal. Do it in 15 minute intervals.
- Rinse your mouth: Use a mixture or salt and water to rinse your mouth daily.
- Brush your teeth carefully: On the second day following your tooth removal, you can start brushing your teeth but avoid vigorous motion and touching the wound directly.
- Chew on the opposite side: This way, you won’t irritate the wound or prevent the clot from forming properly.
- Eat soft foods: For a couple of days after the procedure, eat food like soup, yogurt, eggs, cottage cheese, and ice cream.
- Take the medication prescribed by your doctor: They’ll protect you from infection and minimize your discomfort.
- Open and close your mouth: After a few days, you can begin exercising your jaw to restore your full chewing capacity as soon as possible.
What to avoid
- Sucking on a straw or spitting: These motions could dislodge the blood clot and affect the healing process.
- Smoking or drinking alcohol: Nicotine and alcohol also hinder proper healing.
- Eating crunchy food: Hard foods could hurt the extraction area and slow down the closing of the wound.
- Touching the wound: Don’t interfere with the formation of the clot by disrupting it with your finger or tongue.
How long is wisdom teeth extraction recovery?
After your wisdom tooth extraction procedure takes place, you’ll want to take it easy for a few days. Most patients recover after about 3 to 4 days and they can then return to their normal activities.
Where in Temecula can I find a reputable wisdom teeth removal specialist?
T
emecula Center for Wisdom Teeth & Dental Implants provides comprehensive care to the residents of Escondido and the surrounding areas in Temecula and Riverside Counties. Dr. Tsvetov will make sure that the procedure is the most advantageous option for you as well as help you prepare for the extraction in the best way possible. Thanks to his expertise and commitment, you’ll have a seamless experience. Give us a call!