Recovering from Wisdom Teeth Removal – What to Expect

What to Do After Wisdom Teeth Removal

Wisdom teeth extraction is considered an outpatient surgery, which means you’ll leave on the same day. Since anesthesia was used for the procedure, you’ll slowly regain feeling in your mouth afterward. Some pain and swelling are normal. Most people fully recover in three to four days. It might take a little longer to recover if your wisdom teeth were impacted or came in at an awkward angle.

However, the wound left behind will take several months to heal completely after surgery. So it’s essential to care for your mouth and watch out for any potential issues. While you can resume your normal, daily activities a day after surgery, you must avoid any activity that could dislodge the stitches or the blood clot formed over the extraction site. Some of these activities include:

• Smoking
• Spitting
• Drinking from a straw
• Strenuous exercise

While some swelling, pain, and bleeding are normal afterward, call your dentist if the pain becomes unbearable or the bleeding is extensive.

What to Eat After Wisdom Teeth Surgery

Although you might not have a strong appetite for a day or two, staying hydrated and eating well is essential for recovery. For the first few days, stick to foods that don’t require much chewing and that are soft. Some suggestions include:

Foods to avoid include:

• Nuts or seeds that can get stuck where your wisdom teeth used to be
• Extremely hot foods that can burn the extraction site
• Hard, crunchy foods that could puncture the site
• Avoid slurping or drinking from a straw which could disrupt the blood clot

As your mouth feels better, slowly return to eating your regular diet.

Wisdom Teeth Removal

At The Dental Anesthesia Center, we will begin with an oral examination and x-rays of the mouth to evaluate the position of your wisdom teeth and predict present or future complications. Studies indicate that early evaluation and treatment often result in a better outcome for the patient.

All outpatient surgery is performed under the appropriate anesthesia to maximize patient comfort. We are the only board-certified dental anesthesiologists in the State of Missouri, including the St. Louis Metro Area. However, depending on the type of extraction you may need, Dr. Hoffmann or Dr. Behl may refer you to an Oral Surgeon for your wisdom teeth removal.