Siavash Siv Eftekhari, M.D., DMD

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4 Tips And Tricks On How To Speed Up Wisdom Teeth Removal Recovery | Plano, TX

4 Tips And Tricks On How To Speed Up Wisdom Teeth Removal Recovery | Plano, TX

Photo By seanbear at Shutterstock

Wisdom teeth removal services are sometimes necessary, as the wisdom teeth may impact surrounding teeth and tissues. It may also affect the jawbone. In some severe cases, wisdom teeth eruptions can lead to pericoronitis, which is a painful, inflammatory gum condition that can lead to life-threatening symptoms like difficulties breathing.

The wisdom teeth removal process in Plano, TX is relatively quick. You’ll be in and out of the office within an hour or two depending on the number of wisdom teeth that you’ll be removing. Some patients will choose to have all of the wisdom teeth removed at once while others will schedule several appointments to remove the wisdom teeth one-by-one.

Fortunately, this isn’t considered a complicated or difficult procedure. You’re unlikely to experience any complications although you’ll have to wait for the affected area to heal. In this article, we’ll look at some of the tips and tricks involved in speeding up the healing process.

How Long Does It Take to Recover from a Wisdom Teeth Removal?

This will largely depend on how successful the wisdom teeth removal was. It will also depend on how difficult it was to remove the wisdom teeth. Most people will need stitches to close up the wound and the stitches will either dissolve on their own or will need to be removed by a professional after about a week.

Sometimes, wisdom teeth removal can lead to bruising, swelling, and pain, but all of these symptoms should easily subside with time. They also should not impact your day-to-day life too much although you might want to consider taking some time off work the first several days in order to adjust more smoothly.

In general, you should start to see:

  • The formation of blood clots within the first 24 hours
  • Improvements in swelling within 2 to 3 days
  • Improvements in soreness and jaw stiffness within 7 to 10 days
  • Complete recovery within 2 weeks

This timeline will vary from one individual to another. It also depends on whether you’ve taken care of the wound and whether you’ll follow all of the aftercare recommendations made by the professionals who completed the wisdom teeth removal. With that said, there are several things that you can do to speed up recovery. We’ll look at them below.

#1. Use an Ice Pack for Several Hours after the Surgery

After you’ve gotten your wisdom teeth removed, hold an ice pack to your cheeks for several hours. The ice pack will be able to reduce discomfort and swelling. It could also reduce the amount of bruising that you’ll experience. If you live close to the dental center, you can apply the ice pack when you get home. However, if you live a little further from the center, you might want to consider bringing an ice pack with you to your appointment or stopping by a grocery store on your way home to get one as soon as possible.

#2. Use an Antiseptic Mouth Rinse 48 Hours after the Extraction

The site of removal is prone to infections because it’s easy for food particles and bacteria to make their way into the wound. If the area gets infected, you can expect your recovery time to exponentiate. It really depends on the severity of the infection.

The best way to prevent an infection is to use an antiseptic mouth rinse regularly after the wisdom teeth removal. With that said, you should not use an antiseptic mouth rinse until 48 hours after the extraction. This is because you want to ensure that there’s enough time for a blood clot to form. Before the 48 hours are up, gently rinse your mouth with a warm water and salt solution several times a day.

#3. Do Not Interrupt the Blood Clot Formation

One of the key things that will help speed up recovery is the formation of blood clots at the site of the surgery. Blood clots are essential to recovery because they prevent bleeding, protect the wound from infection and the exposed bone and encourage new tissue to grow at the surgical site. To speed up recovery, do everything in your power to protect the blood clot. This can include things like eating softer foods that do not require a lot of chewing, avoiding the use of straws, and avoiding hot drinks.

You want to avoid disrupting the injured area as much as possible so that the blood clot becomes stronger and more secure. The blood clot will also help prevent dry sockets, which can develop one to three days after the removal. This happens when the socket becomes inflamed with food debris.

#4. Relax and Rest

Last but not least, you should avoid doing any type of strenuous activity and exercise. Now is not a good time to go for a jog in the middle of the day or take part in a heated debate at work. The best thing that you can do is to relax and rest at home. In fact, many professionals may recommend that you take several days off work, so you can focus solely on yourself.

Before your appointment, think about what you want to do for the next several days. This can be anything from curling up in bed for a well-deserved break or catching up on some reading.

We Offer Wisdom Teeth Removal Services!

Are you looking for wisdom teeth removal services in Plano, TX? Look no further! The NextGen Oral Maxillofacial and Reconstructive Surgery Center is a reputable clinic that offers high-quality medical services. We are ranked as one of the top 10 special doctors in Dallas, and we are able to serve many of the surrounding areas, like Plano, TX. Our mission is to always offer the global standard in diagnosis and treatment, and the wellbeing of our patients is always our top priority.

To schedule a consultation or an appointment, give us a call at 817-893-2662. Speed things up by downloading and filling in our new patient intake form!