Most people get their wisdom teeth removed by the age of 25, and whether you’re in school or working a full-time job, most of us are curious about the recovery time. How many days do I need to take off for wisdom teeth removal? We’ve created this guide to help you understand what to expect and how to plan for your wisdom teeth after-care.
Wisdom Teeth Removal Surgery
The routine procedure of removing your wisdom teeth requires anesthesia, but no matter what type you choose, you won’t feel a thing. It’s your level of awareness that varies. Your options range from a local anesthetic and nitrous oxide to oral sedatives and general anesthesia.
Details Matter
Whichever type of anesthesia you choose, the key to a great recovery is diligently following all the post-operative instructions even if you’re feeling no pain. Details matter. We believe our patients have great experiences because they pay attention to the small stuff. We make sure to be consistently detailed when we see and treat you, and we count on you to follow our detailed instructions at home.
The First 24 Hours
If you’re doing anything other than relaxing on the couch and enjoying ice cream on day 1, you’re probably doing too much. In other words, the only thing you should plan to focus on the first day is your recovery. In fact, you may feel drowsy over the course of the day, so find a cozy place and watch movies. We will give you gauze to keep on the extraction site. Forming a clot around the surgery area is one of the most important steps in the recovery process as it reduces pain and bleeding and prevents infection.
Things to Avoid for a Speedy Recovery During the First 7 days
- Strenuous activity (leads to more inflammation and pain)
- Drinking with a straw (disturbs the well-formed clots)
- Smoking (significantly impairs healing and exacerbates infections)
- Drinking alcohol, especially with antibiotics and narcotics (causes an adverse reaction with medications)
- Hot foods (promote bleeding and can burn tissues)
- Carbonated beverages (delay healing)
- Particulate foods, such as chips, granola, popcorn, etc., and those with skins and seeds, like berries, tomatoes, etc. (get stuck in the wound and can cause infection)
Things to Do for a Speeding Recovery
- Take pain medications as directed on a FULL stomach.
- Rest and relax.
- Prop your head up, keeping it above your chest.
- Drink plenty of water.
- Use ice packs on your cheek and jaw for the first 48 hours, then warm compresses intermittently thereafter.
- Consume lots of fluids and remain on a soft diet.
The First 3-5 Days
You will feel little to no pain as you recover, and you will be tempted to test your limits. Resist the temptation. We recommend you avoid any strenuous activity in the first 3-5 days following your surgery. Activity promotes more swelling/inflammation and potential discomfort.
When to Call Us
Contact us immediately if you experience any of the following:
- Extreme pain
- Pus around the surgery site
- Excessive bleeding
- High fever
- Tingling or numbness beyond the third day
- Recurrent swelling after the initial surgical swelling subsides
What is a Dry Socket?
As mentioned above, forming a blood clot in the surgery area is essential for the healing process. When a clot does not form or the clot is dislodged due to straw use, smoking, or vigorous rinsing in the first 2 days, the underlying nerves are exposed, and a painful condition called “dry socket” occurs. So, take extra care to follow all the after-care instructions to ensure a safe and comfortable recovery. We are proud of our track record with less than 1% of patients experiencing an infection or dry socket.
Returning to Work or School
By day 5, many of our patients can return to their normal, non-strenuous activities. But we encourage you to listen to your body. Swelling often peaks on days 3-5, so be gentle with yourself. Don’t force anything, including playing with or pulling at your stitches with your tongue. If they are loose or starting to come out, this is a normal part of healing.
While wisdom teeth extraction is not “a big procedure”, it is a surgery, and your body needs to recover. So, take your time, and return to work after 4 or 5 days if you’re feeling up for it. Hold off on normal, more strenuous activities until you’re a week past surgery. The best way to speed up your recovery time is to follow your after-care instructions very closely.
We admit the instructions can be monotonous, and it is easy to become complacent with the details.
But details matter! This is a mantra we live by in our practice and the reason we can assure our patient’s great experiences.