How Long Does It Take to Recover from Wisdom Teeth Extraction?

Wisdom teeth, also known as back molars, usually come out last as part of your adult teeth. They emerge at both top and bottom of the two sides of your mouth and are usually witnessed when you are between 17 and 21. A lot of people do not have sufficient space to make room for wisdom teeth without making other teeth to shift. This can cause a lot of problems and may necessitate wisdom teeth extraction Houston TX. Wisdom tooth extraction is a procedure in oral surgery and it is very popular. Recovery can last for about one week and this is determined by the nature of your condition. If you have impacted wisdom teeth, your recovery period may be longer. Wisdom teeth extraction Houston is usually carried out by oral surgeons and the recovery path is not so crooked, ensuring that your oral health is enhanced.

The Day of Your Surgery

Wisdom teeth extraction Houston is an outpatient procedure. This means that you will enter and depart the surgical room same day. If a local anesthetic or sedation is administered on you during the oral surgery, there is every possibility that you will wake up on the chair of your dentist. On the other hand, if a general anesthesia is used, it will take more time before you can wake and you will most likely be taken to the recovery room. You can demand to know from your dentist the type of anesthetic that will be used on you. So that you will be able to prepare adequately. When you wake up after your wisdom teeth extraction Houston, you will gently get back your mouth feeling. You will most probably experience swelling as well as pain and some blood may be witnessed in your mouth on your recovery’s first day. You can begin the application of ice pack on the treatment site as soon as you desire. Your dentist will give you instructions on medications to use which will help in managing post-surgical pain. As soon as you wake up with signs that you are feeling fine, you will be asked to go home. You can arrange with someone to drive you home after your wisdom teeth extraction Houston. This is very important especially if a general anesthetic is administered on you. Since you will not be able to drive within that period. You should endeavor to take soft foods after your tooth removal. Furthermore, you should stay away from caffeine, alcohol and tobacco products. The use of straw should also be avoided at this period. So that you will be able to prevent complications.

Long-term Recovery

Majority of wisdom teeth extraction patients recover completely within four days. If impacted wisdom teeth or those appearing at awkward angle are removed. It may take you about one week to recover completely. However, it is important for you to note that the bruise left behind after the procedure may take some months to heal up completely. Hence, it is possible to get infected after the surgery. Especially if you don’t take proper care of yourself. In order to prevent this, you should abide by all the post-surgical instructions given to you by your oral surgeon. Normal activities can be resumed a day after your surgery. However, you should stay away from activities that can lead to the dislodgement of stitches as well as blood clot on the wound. You should endeavor to stay away from strenuous exercises, smoking, drinking with straw, spitting, just to mention a few. Bleeding, pain and swelling are normal after wisdom teeth removals. But if they become severe and unbearable, you should not hesitate to see your dentist. You should see improvements of these symptoms after three days. And they should all be gone after one week. Moreover, some complications can be symptoms of nerve damage or infection. As a result of this, you should contact your oral surgeon if you are having any problem with breathing or swallowing. Also, if you are feeling feverish, numbness or bleeding that refuses to stop, you should seek help immediately. If the medication you are taking does not abate your pain or there is blood or pus oozing out of your nose, it’s time to schedule an appointment with your dentist.

Home Care

As soon as you get home, you should properly take care of your mouth in order to prevent infections as well as complications. You will be given adequate instructions by your dentist on ways to clean and get your mouth protected after the surgical procedure. It may be the only time that you will be asked to stay away from brushing, flossing or rinsing for a full day.

Pain Management

Managing your pain and swelling after the surgery requires the use of pain medication which will be prescribed by your dentist. An ice pack can also be used. But you should ask for the frequency of its use from your dentist. You should not put the ice pack right on the treatment site so as to avoid ice burn. You may also be asked to use antibiotics as you recover in order to prevent infections. Because your mouth will be vulnerable to microbes at this period. It is very important for you take the full dosage of the antibiotics in accordance with the prescription of your dentist.

Foods To Eat and Avoid

Eating properly and staying hydrated is very essential for the recovery process. It is advisable to eat soft foods which do not require much chewing. So that your stitches and blood clot will not be disrupted. Soft foods like pudding, apple sauce, smoothies, cottage cheese, mashed potatoes and so on, are very good for consumption after your wisdom teeth extraction Houston. At this period, you should avoid intensely hot food. So that the treatment site will not be burnt. You should also stay away from nuts or seeds. Because they can get stuck in the cavity where your wisdom tooth is removed. The use of straw for drinking should also be avoided at this period in order to prevent any damage to your stitches.