How Long It Takes To Recover From A Wisdom Tooth Extraction ?

Getting your wisdom teeth removed can sometimes feel like a rite of passage. But it isn’t necessary for everyone. In fact, some 25% of adults are missing at least one wisdom tooth, meaning they don’t have to worry about the issue at all.

But if you do have one or all of your wisdom teeth, you could face a number of problems, especially if they become impacted. In this case, removal is often the best choice. But many of our patients are nervous about the recovery process and how long it will take. 

Don’t fret. Jeremy K. Ueno, DMD, and our other board-certified providers at Ueno Center Dental Specialists are here to give you the information you need about the procedure itself as well as recovery, aftercare, and how to speed up the process. 

Wisdom tooth aftercare: What it entails 

After we remove your wisdom teeth, you need to have someone drive you home. You will still be groggy from the anesthesia and won’t be able to drive yourself. It’s also best to have someone stay with you until this effect wears off, usually a few hours later. 

Once home, follow the instructions we provide you for an effective recovery, including:

• When to use ice and heat to manage pain and swelling
• When to take certain pain medications
• How and when to perform certain activities like salt rinses
• When and how to resume brushing your teeth, eating, drinking, and other regular activities 

The aftercare for wisdom tooth extraction is actually quite detailed to avoid possible side effects associated with the surgery. But if you follow all the instructions, you’ll do fine.

The timeline for wisdom tooth extraction recovery 

Recovery from wisdom tooth extraction takes more or less time depending on where the teeth were located and how quickly you tend to heal. The extraction site itself actually takes a few months to fully heal, but you won’t experience side effects this whole time. 

In most cases, it takes anywhere from a week to 10 days for you to feel recovered. Some people may see themselves back to normal in as little as three days, while others might take a full two weeks to feel recovered. 

How to speed up the process of recovery

Of course, it’s very important to avoid rushing your recovery, but here are some tips you can follow to speed up the process. We recommend that you: 

• Do everything we tell you to do (aftercare instructions)
• Change your gauze every 30 minutes until the bleeding has fully stopped 
• Ice your cheek as much as possible for the first 36 hours after your surgery (10 minutes with the ice pack, then remove it for 10 minutes) 
• Keep your head elevated when you sleep with a wedge pillow or by sleeping in a chair 
• Stick to soft foods, and drink lots of fluids, especially water 
• Avoid drinking from a straw, spitting, or smoking 
• Rest, rest, rest to avoid any setbacks 

If you follow these rules and don’t actively try to rush your recovery, you’ll see yourself back to normal in no time. 

Do you need a wisdom tooth extraction?

If your wisdom teeth are causing you pain, discomfort, or other problems, see us at Ueno Center Dental Specialists for a consultation. We’ll be able to let you know if it’s time to have them removed. 

Our office in Campbell, California, is just a phone call away. You can also book an appointment online at your convenience. Let us give you something to smile about.