How Long Does It Take to Heal from Wisdom Tooth Surgery?

Wisdom tooth extractions are among the most common dental surgeries that patients undergo. This is because many people’s wisdom teeth do not erupt correctly, either only partially emerging from the gums or not at all.

These conditions can be incredibly painful and may also put a person at risk of infection. In such cases, it’s usually advised that the affected wisdom tooth is removed, which can be another ordeal in itself.

That being said, wisdom tooth extractions are highly effective and have a high success rate. However, it’s important that a patient recovers properly after such a procedure, but exactly how long does that take?

Healing from the wisdom tooth surgery

If you are planning to undergo wisdom tooth surgery, you might be wondering how long it will take for you to recover from it. In most cases, you can expect to be fully healed around two weeks after. Having that said, complications can occur that may extend the healing time. For example, if the resulting blood clot is displaced or dislodged, an infection can occur, which will mean that the recovery period may take longer.

Assuming that all things go well, here is what you can expect: On the first day after the procedure is done, you can expect to have blood clots form around the gums surrounding the extracted tooth. This can be followed by swelling, which will slowly diminish over the next two or three days. Within a week, the swelling should have fully subsided, allowing the dentist to remove any stitches that were applied. At the same time, any pain should also dissipate, although that can take a few more days. After two weeks, the stitched areas will have fully healed, meaning that your gums are as good as new.

Speeding up the healing process

If you find that two weeks is too long, or that you do not want to spend more than that to recover from the surgery, here are a few things you can do to ensure a speedy healing process.

Within the first 24 hours following the procedure, you should avoid eating chewy foods, drinking hot liquids, smoking, drinking alcohol, and rinsing your mouth. While you can still brush your teeth during this time, avoid doing so around the extraction site, as doing so can cause the blood clot to dislodge.

After the first day, you are free to wash your mouth with antiseptic to address any microbial growth. However, it is good to stick to the aforementioned tips to ensure your gums heal quickly and correctly. You can also rinse your mouth with a warm salt-water mixture to reduce swelling and pain.

Conclusion

With proper care, you can expect to fully recover within two weeks post-surgery. While it is unlikely that problems will occur, there is still a risk of complications that can lengthen that timeframe. If you find that your gums are hurting, swelling, or that pus is forming around the wound during the healing process, do not hesitate to head to the dentist immediately. They will be able to quickly address the problem and ensure you recover as quickly as possible.

Are you looking for wisdom tooth removal services at Ann Arbor and Waterford? Dental House MI can offer you the help you need. Contact us today and book your visit.