What to Expect during Wisdom Tooth Extraction Recovery

The wisdom teeth typically do not erupt until an individual is between the ages of 17 and 25. Many people do not have room in the mouth to accommodate the wisdom teeth, so they either become impacted or result in bite alignment. Because of the potential complications that can be caused by the wisdom teeth, wisdom tooth extraction is common.

Wisdom tooth extraction is a safe method of removing these unnecessary teeth and protecting a patient’s remaining teeth from dental complications. At Suburban Oral Surgery and Implant Center, our surgeons combine sedation methods and advanced surgical techniques to minimize discomfort during and after wisdom tooth extraction. Here, we discuss what our patients should expect from wisdom tooth extraction recovery following treatment at our Bolingbrook, IL practice.

Side Effects

Wisdom tooth extraction is a form of oral surgery, so patients should expect to experience some side effects during recovery. The severity of these side effects will be partially dependent on how many wisdom teeth were removed, and whether those teeth were fully or partially impacted. Although each patient’s recovery will be unique, most should expect to experience some degree of the following side effects during wisdom tooth extraction recovery:

• Bleeding: It is common for the area of extraction to ooze blood for about 24 to 48 hours after surgery.
• Swelling: Swelling is a normal side effect of any surgery. Swelling will likely be most severe around two to three days after wisdom tooth extraction, but should begin gradually subsiding after that.
• Discomfort: Patients will likely experience some pain and discomfort during wisdom tooth extraction recovery. Pain will probably be at its most severe the first day or two of recovery. We will prescribe pain medication to control discomfort. When used as prescribed, most patients find that this medication keeps discomfort to a manageable level.
• Nausea: Patients may experience nausea during the first day of wisdom tooth extraction recovery. This nausea may be caused by a combination of pain medication and minimal food in the stomach.

Care Tips

There are several tips a patient can follow to minimize discomfort during wisdom tooth extraction recovery, manage side effects, and encourage healing. Some helpful oral care tips during this time include the following:

• Bite down gently on gauze pads to control bleeding and oozing
• Use ice packs on the side of the jaw to minimize swelling
• Keep the mouth clean and continue to brush as usual (being especially gentle around the surgical site)
• Begin warm salt water rinses 24 hours after surgery, repeating at least two to three times a day
• Eat liquids and soft foods until oral comfort returns
• Avoid bending, lifting, and other strenuous activities

With proper post-surgical aftercare, most patients are able to heal within just a few days after wisdom tooth extraction. If pain or side effects persist for more than a week, they should be reported to our dentists so that any complications can be ruled out.

Contact Us

If you are interested in learning more about wisdom tooth extraction at Suburban Oral Surgery and Implant Center, contact us at your earliest convenience.