How long does Wisdom Teeth Recovery Take?

If you have just had your wisdom teeth removed or are soon to have them removed, you may be questioning, ‘How long does wisdom teeth recovery take?’ Wisdom teeth removal recovery often occurs in stages and it’s important to understand the timeline of recovery.

Understanding the Healing Journey

Although the healing journey may look different for everyone, there are some important considerations to note during recovery. Here’s a more detailed explanation:

The Initial Phase of Recovery The recovery time for wisdom teeth removal can be broken down into phases. The initial phase of recovery during the first 24 hours after surgery usually involves mild discomfort, bleeding, and swelling. Following your dentist’s post-operative instructions will be of utmost importance to minimize the risk of developing complications. In general, you will be asked to get adequate rest and avoid strenuous activities for the first couple of days after wisdom tooth extraction. A soft food diet, gentle oral hygiene practices, and avoidance of smoking and drinking through a straw will be necessary during the initial phase of healing after wisdom tooth extraction.

What Happens During the Healing Process?

After the first 24 hours post-surgery, you may notice the formation of a blood clot in the extraction site, which is a necessary part of the healing process. During the healing process the oral tissues will begin to regenerate and any discomfort and swelling will begin to decrease. But, how long does wisdom teeth recovery take? That can depend on your compliance with following the post-operative instructions during the healing process and the type of wisdom tooth extraction you had (simple vs surgical). Non-impacted wisdom teeth that have fully erupted into the mouth usually require a simple extraction procedure, in which you may feel back to your normal self and return to regular activities after 2-3 days. However, Impacted wisdom teeth which are partially or fully underneath the gums typically require surgical extraction, which is often more complex and requires an extended recovery period, potentially taking on average 7-10 days.

Key Steps After Your Surgery

Following post-surgery care instructions is key to a healthy recovery. Here’s what you need to know: Immediate Post-Surgery Care For successful wisdom teeth recovery, it’s important to manage discomfort, swelling, and bleeding immediately after surgery. Apply an ice pack to the affected during the first 24 hours after surgery for 20 minutes at a time to help reduce swelling. Keeping a piece of gauze at the extraction site for the first 30 minutes after extraction can help control bleeding. It will be important to stay hydrated with water and stick to a soft food diet, avoiding hard, chewy, sticky or hot/spicy foods for roughly the first two weeks after wisdom teeth removal or as instructed by your dentist.

Medications and Pain Management

Wisdom tooth extraction recovery may involve medications for pain management. Over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription pain relief medications are commonly used after wisdom tooth extraction. In general, healthcare providers including dentists are increasingly recommending OTC medications over opioid prescription medications (hydrocodone/Vicodin and oxycodone/Percocet), as OTC pain relievers can provide effective pain relief with better patient outcomes and less harmful complications than opioids. Common OTC pain relievers include Ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil), naproxen (Aleve), and acetaminophen (Tylenol), which can reduce mild to moderate pain and swelling. Speak with your dentist regarding your recommended pain-relief options and for specific instructions regarding dosage and timing of your recommended medications.

Promoting Optimal Healing for Your Mouth

To heal properly and quickly after wisdom teeth removal, you’ll want to follow these important tips:

Oral Hygiene Tips Immediately after wisdom tooth extraction surgery, you may be instructed to avoid rinsing your mouth and brushing and flossing near the extraction site for the first 24 hours. When instructed to resume brushing and flossing, it is important to do so gently and slowly, avoiding the extraction sites and using a soft-bristled toothbrush. Brushing in small circular motions gently will help avoid damaging the healing tissues at the extraction site. You may be instructed to avoid using traditional mouthwash, as it may disrupt blood clot formation. Instead, warm salt water solutions (i.e. 1/2 tsp salt in 1 cup of warm water) is commonly recommended, avoiding vigorous rinsing or spitting. Warm salt water rinses are known to have antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects, provide pain relief, and promote oral healing.

Foods that Aid Recovery

Eating soft nutritious foods is essential for proper healing. Common soft foods to eat after wisdom teeth extraction that aid in recovery include:

Yogurt
Mashed potatoes
Luke-warm soups and broths
Scrambled eggs
Smoothies
Hummus
Applesauce
Soft or pureed vegetables
Soft fruits (i.e. bananas, avocado)
Quinoa
Oatmeal
Pasta
Salmon or other soft fish
Tofu

Foods and beverages that should be avoided after wisdom teeth extraction that can irritate the healing extraction site include:

Nuts
Seeds
Popcorn
Crackers
Potato chips
Candy
Hard breads
Raw vegetables
Hard or citrus fruits (i.e. apples, oranges, lemons, grapefruits)
Fried foods
Tough meats
Ice cream
Hot soups
Spicy foods (i.e. jalapenos, hot sauce, buffalo sauce, sriracha)
Sugary foods and beverages
Hot beverages (i.e. coffee, tea)
Alcohol
Carbonated beverages

Common Pitfalls to Avoid During Recovery

There are common do’s and don’ts when it comes to wisdom teeth removal recovery. In this section we’ll explain what you should avoid after surgery to prevent complications:

Activities to Steer Clear Of There are several activities to avoid during recovery after wisdom teeth removal. Strenuous exercise, including weightlifting or lifting heavy objects, sports, or other activities that require excessive movement should be avoided for at least the first 2-3 days after dental surgery. You should also avoid touching the extraction site, spitting, rinsing vigorously, or using straws for drinking, which can interrupt blood clot formation and healing. Smoking and consumption of alcohol should be avoided, which can disrupt healing and lead to infection. As mentioned, you should also maintain a soft food diet, avoiding crunchy, hard, sticky, chewy, or hot/spicy foods that could dislodge the blood clot and harm the extraction site.

Signs of Complications

It is normal to experience mild swelling, bleeding, and discomfort after wisdom teeth extraction. However, there are certain signs and symptoms to watch out for that can indicate serious and life-threatening complications that should be reported to your healthcare provider immediately. If you experience excessive bleeding, severe pain, progressive swelling, pus, bad taste and breath, fever, trouble swallowing or breathing, numbness or tingling, nausea or vomiting, dry socket, or any other concerning signs or symptoms, contact your dentist or oral surgeon immediately.

When to Reach Out to Your Healthcare Provider

Certain signs and symptoms warrant immediate medical attention. Find out more below:

Red Flags Post-Surgery For the first few days after dental surgery, it is normal to experience mild to moderate discomfort, swelling, bruising, and bleeding, which tends to subside on its own. However, there are certain red flags that you should watch out for post-surgery. Concerning signs and symptoms that can indicate a potential infection and require immediate contact with your healthcare provider include persistent and worsening pain, bleeding and/or swelling, pus discharge, bad taste or breath, trouble breathing or swallowing, and fever.
Follow-Up Appointments How long does wisdom teeth removal take to heal? Your follow-up appointments are necessary for your dentist to track your healing and determine your progress and healing timeline. During your follow-up visits your dentist can also detect and treat potential complications like infection or dry socket. These visits are also a great time to answer any questions, concerns, and symptoms you may have, and your dentist will provide guidance and recommendations for a successful recovery.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does recovery from wisdom teeth extraction take?

If you’re wondering how long to recover from wisdom teeth removal, the answer can depend on various factors. For instance, the complexity of the extraction, number of teeth removed, underlying dental and medical conditions, and whether or not complications occur. In general, recovery from wisdom teeth extraction takes approximately 1-2 weeks. Some individuals may return to normal activities as quickly as a few days. Complete healing of the tooth extraction sites may take several months.

What can I eat after my wisdom teeth are removed?

After wisdom teeth are removed, your dentist will offer dietary recommendations to prevent complications from occurring at the extraction sites. It is recommended to consume softs foods and avoid hot, spicy, sugary, or acidic foods and beverages for the first 1-2 weeks after wisdom teeth extraction. Great soft food options include room temperature soups and broths, mashed potatoes and sweet potatoes, meatloaf, scrambled eggs, oatmeal, yogurt, apple sauce, smoothies, pasta, and fish.

Is it normal to experience pain after the surgery?

Mild pain and discomfort are normal immediately following wisdom teeth extraction surgery. On the bright side, the pain typically gradually dissipates after the first couple of days after the extraction. Severe and long-lasting pain could indicate a complication like a dry socket or infection and should be reported to your dentist or oral surgeon immediately.

Can I return to work or school immediately after surgery?

Most patients can resume normal activities such as returning to work or school after 1-2 days. Guidance from your dentist on resuming normal activities will depend on your individual circumstances.

What if I have complications during recovery?

Although uncommon, some patients may experience complications like dry socket, persistent pain, swelling, bleeding, or infection after wisdom tooth removal. Mild discomfort, bleeding, and swelling may be normal immediately following tooth extraction. Monitor signs and symptoms of complications during recovery and contact your dentist or oral surgeon immediately if you experience more severe signs or symptoms such as trouble breathing or swallowing, fever, pus discharge at extraction site, or severe or long-lasting pain, swelling, or bleeding.