Wisdom Tooth Removal Recovery
Impacted wisdom teeth can cause pain, damage to tooth structure, and an increased risk of cavities. That’s why there are countless wisdom teeth removal procedures performed each year. It’s a routine oral surgery that Dr. William B. Stofer has done for many patients in the greater Warsaw, IN area.
Many patients ask us what to expect after their oral surgery is completed. Below is a brief explanation of the wisdom tooth removal process.
Will I Need to Take Time Off from Work or School?
You might need a day to three days off work or school just to focus on recovery. The primary concern is making sure patients are well enough to perform simple tasks and are not adversely impacted by pain, discomfort, and facial swelling.
The amount of time off will vary based on a number of factors, including the nature of your job, the day of the week the surgery is performed, and how your recovery from surgery goes in the initial day. We can discuss the ideal amount of time off during the consultation process.
What to Expect Immediately After Oral Surgery
Immediately following wisdom tooth removal, it’s normal to feel groggy and tired. This is what happens as sedation and anesthetic wears off. It’s important that you be accompanied to and escorted from the practice by a loved one.
Be sure to rest after wisdom tooth removal and avoid strenuous physical activity.
Pain Medication After Wisdom Tooth Removal
We will typically prescribe pain killers to our Warsaw wisdom tooth removal patients. This medication will help manage severe discomfort in the first days after getting your wisdom teeth pulled. Be sure to take this medication only as needed, and to never exceed the recommended dosage.
Temporary Adjustments to Your Diet
To avoid pain while eating and to prevent issues with recovery, it’s important that you temporarily adjust your diet while you are healing. We recommend eating soft foods or creamy liquids that do not require chewing. That includes:
- Yogurt
- Smoothies
- Applesauce
- Soups
- Meal-replacement shakes
- Jello
- Eggs
Avoid spicy foods and anything that results in tiny crumbs until you are fully recovered. Do NOT use drinking straws after surgery. The suction from the drinking straw can negatively affect blood clots and undo stitches.
How to Manage Swelling
Swelling around the jawline and sides of the face is common. If needed, use a cold compress in a towel. Keep the compress against the side of your face for about 10 minutes and then leave it off for 10 minutes. Repeat as needed. This can also help dull the pain after surgery.
Follow-up Visits After the Removal
A few follow-up visits are scheduled after wisdom tooth removal to monitor your healing and make sure you are recovering okay. Attend all of these visits as scheduled.
What to Do in Case of Urgent Issues
If pain persists or you experience excessive bleeding and other serious side effects, be sure to alert the practice as soon as possible. This is usually the sign of a serious complication that requires professional attention.
Contact Dental Solutions
For more information about healing after wisdom tooth removal and what to expect after surgery, be sure to contact a skilled cosmetic and restorative dentist. The team at Dental Solutions can be reached by phone in Warsaw at (574) 269-1199.
