Wisdom teeth removal is something that almost every person on the planet has to go through at one point or another. On average, about five million Americans go to the dental office to have them extracted every year. Do note that it isn’t always necessary depending on the structure of one’s teeth.
When wisdom teeth removal is needed, though, it can be quite a pain to deal with. Dentists will need to surgically adjust the gums in order to remove the wisdom tooth that may have been plaguing the rest of your teeth. Having anesthesia during the procedure can be quite helpful, but it’s a different conversation when it comes to the recovery process.
Healing from an extraction doesn’t happen overnight, but there are tips that can help ease the pain from the wisdom teeth removal throughout this journey. Here are some of them:
Stop Bleeding
Bleeding is one of the most evident parts of wisdom teeth removal. It can be rather stressful to experience as the blood is coming from the gums operated on. The best thing to do is to bite down on a gauze pad and stop the bleeding by allowing blood clots to form.
Be sure to apply just the right pressure. Biting down too hard can reopen the wound on your gums, but biting too gently may not result in blood clotting. Allow your dentist to provide you with the gauze and guide you through this step, which will take a few minutes.
Use Ice
Another tip that can help with wisdom teeth removal is icing the jaw and cheek area near the extraction. A cold ice pack in 15-minute intervals would be pretty good in easing the bruising and swelling that comes as a result of the procedure.
Keep in mind that bruising and swelling usually occur during the first two days normally, perhaps longer depending on how the surgery goes. Just remember to use ice in intervals to relieve the pain.
Brush Your Mouth
Different people will be advised to brush their teeth at different times, with some allowed to do so the night of their surgery appointment. Remember to be extremely mindful and gentle when cleaning your teeth.
Be careful of the blood clot where the wisdom tooth was originally removed. Undoing the cloth by brushing too hard can cause the spot to bleed again, so avoid that area when using your toothbrush. Use warm salt water instead when gargling to clean that area.
Consume Soft Foods
Even though you might crave certain foods after your wisdom teeth removal, do keep in mind that it is recommended to have soft foods for the time being. Anything too tough to chew may aggravate your gums and the area of extraction. Abstain from anything hard and just opt for soups and vegetables instead, topping off the meal with some gelatin for dessert.
Take Medication
The pain can be rather intense on some days while you’re still in the middle of healing from the wisdom teeth removal. Your dentist should have prescribed some medication to cope. Be sure to stick to that pain relief plan or request a consultation if you need another medication prescription to do it for you.
Get Lots of Rest
There’s no better tip than just giving yourself a lot of time to rest. Lay off certain activities that can stress the rest of your body and prevent it from healing. Plus, being immobile and getting enough sleep can help regulate your blood pressure and lessening the swelling on the jaw, neck, and gums.
Conclusion
Most people can recover from their wisdom teeth removal in just 4 to 5 days. However, you may want to extend the use of these tips just to be sure. A good week should be more than enough for you to feel good and confident enough to smile again!
Looking for a dentist in Franklin, TN? Mid TN Dental offers extractions and several other services to help you achieve your personal oral health goal. Get in touch with us today!