How to Speed Up Wisdom Teeth Recovery

When you lose your baby teeth, the new set of teeth that grow are for life, right? That’s true. But it doesn’t mean your dental development is over. Most people gain wisdom teeth between the ages of 17 and 21 as they erupt from the top and bottom of their jaw.

The problem? Well, wisdom teeth can often grow at an unusual angle, causing pain or becoming impacted. The only solution is a wisdom tooth removal.

Usually, it takes between 3 days and 2 weeks to recover from a wisdom tooth extraction, depending on your age, overall health, and initial problem. However, it will take months for your mouth to fully adjust to the absence of a tooth.

Many people wonder how to speed up wisdom teeth recovery. Below, we cover everything you need to know about recovery from this procedure.

What are Wisdom Teeth?

A wisdom tooth, or third molar, appears at the back of the mouth in the upper and lower jaw. Until later adolescence, everyone has two molars in each corner of the mouth. These molars are flat, ideal for chewing and grinding up food. Sometime between the ages of 17–25, these wisdom teeth begin to emerge behind these two initial molars.

However, around 5–40% of people are missing at least one or more of their third molars. Even worse, depending on the size and shape of your jaw, the wisdom teeth can grow at strange angles or not emerge at all. This is known as being “impacted.”

Often, your dentist diagnoses this problem with an X-ray. If the tooth becomes impacted, you may notice:

· Toothache

· Earache pain

· Infection

· Swelling

· Cysts or abscesses

In addition, if the wisdom tooth grows at an angle, it may cause food to become stuck. This increases the risk of cavities – both in the wisdom tooth and adjacent tooth. If the tooth isn’t removed, it can cause serious dental problems further down the line.

Wisdom Tooth Removal

Your dentist will keep track of your wisdom teeth’s growth, noting if there are any issues. Generally speaking, dentists prefer to take a conservative approach, only removing the wisdom tooth if there’s a clear sign of problems.

Prior to the procedure, your dentist will explain what to expect from the operation. Smokers will be advised to stop their habit for several weeks to reduce the risk of complications. Now is the best time to ask any questions. X-rays are taken to assess the position of the wisdom teeth and determine the best approach for removal.

During the procedure, your dentist will administer a local anaesthetic to prevent any discomfort. Your dentist will cut into your gums to reveal the tooth. If necessary, some bone may be removed, and the tooth can be divided to make it easier to pull out. The tooth is carefully removed from the socket, and the site is cleaned. It’s critical that a clot forms in the site to avoid the risk of a dry socket.

After the procedure, you may notice some mild swelling, pain, and residual bleeding. Your dentist will advise on pain management and healing.

How to Speed Up Wisdom Tooth Recovery

There are lots of ways to speed up your wisdom tooth recovery. We recommend following your dentist’s instructions. Here’s some helpful advice:

Prevent Dry Socket

Dry socket occurs when the blood clot that forms in your extraction site is dislodged. This occurs in around 25–30% of cases. The blood clot protects the underlying bone, allowing the site to heal naturally.

If the clot is dislodged, you may develop dry socket. Dry socket is a painful condition that can last for several weeks. It also increases the risk of infection and other post-operative complications.

Preventing dry sockets primarily means leaving the clot alone. Don’t play with it with your tongue, or try to remove it. You should also leave the gauze in place and avoid any sucking action for at least a week or more.

Eat Healthily

Your diet and overall health determine the speed of your recovery. The healthier you are, the faster your body can heal.

Support the healing process with a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, lean meats, and whole grains. Also, keep your body hydrated to prevent your mouth from drying out. Drink plenty of water – coconut water, in particular, can soothe inflammation and replenish your electrolytes, helping your gums heal from surgery.

Remember, sugary, starchy foods fuel bacterial growth in your mouth. That, in turn, increases the risk of a bacterial infection.

Avoid Smoking

Smoking is disastrous for your oral hygiene. It increases the risk of mouth dryness, exacerbates inflammation, and is a major risk factor for dry sockets. Give your body a chance to rest and recover by limiting or avoiding smoking entirely.

You should definitely stop smoking for the first week or so following the procedure. Any form of smoking will increase the risk of dry sockets.

Keep Your Head Raised

Sleeping is often uncomfortable in the first few days after removal. We recommend keeping your head elevated for the first 5 nights and placing ice on your cheek right before bed. Avoid laying on your side, if possible, as this can apply pressure to your face.

For the ice pack: apply for 20 minutes as often as you can during the first 36 hours post-surgery. After this time, let your body heal naturally.

Rinse with Warm Salt Water

Keeping your mouth clean without brushing the extraction site is difficult. The best approach is to gently swill your mouth with warm salt water a few times a day. Using super-saturated saltwater yields the best results – even if it tastes disgusting.

Don’t spit the water out – you risk dislodging the clot. Instead, just open your mouth over the sink and let the water fall out.

Use a Sonic Electric Toothbrush

Don’t use a toothbrush near the extraction site for 24 hours following the procedure. However, elsewhere, you can use a powerful sonic electric toothbrush to keep your mouth clean. 

The Oclean X Pro Sonic Toothbrush, for example, uses a Maglev motor to reach 84,000 movements per minute. It cleans away any bacteria, food debris, and plaque, leaving your mouth fresh and clean. In fact, there are even 3 brushing modes, letting you adapt around your removal.

Remember, the cleaner your mouth is, the lower the overall risk of infection. So, brush your teeth just as you otherwise would, and be careful around the clot.

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

Most people recover from a wisdom tooth extraction within 3–4 days. However, people may notice some residual bruising around the jawline for up to two weeks.

That being said, the actual wisdom tooth socket itself takes a month or more to fully close, and the site won’t be healed until 3–6 months have passed.

Here’s an overview of the recovery timeline:

Potential Complications

Any complications following wisdom teeth extraction will lengthen the healing time. Most people don’t experience any complications. You may notice:

· Paraesthesia. If the surgeon accidentally hits a nerve, you may experience temporary or permanent nerve damage. People experience pins and needles in the tongue, lips, and/or cheeks.

· Dry Socket. If the blood clot is dislodged, the underlying bone becomes exposed. The condition is quite painful and occurs in almost a third of cases. Dry socket is hard to treat and takes around 7-10 days to heal.

· Infection. This is the most severe complication. It can occur due to dry socket, food impaction, or a very deep tooth socket. Symptoms include pain, swelling, a foul taste, bad breath, and discharge from the extraction site.

If you notice any of these complications, speak to your dentist immediately. They can advise on the best course of action.

How to Manage Pain

Mild to moderate pain is normal following a wisdom tooth extraction. The pressure in your mouth can bruise the surrounding soft tissue and cause an ache in your jaw. This pain will fade within the first 4 days.

Your dentist will recommend over-the-counter pain medication, including:

· Ibuprofen

· Paracetamol

These medications can be taken together as per the instructions. If you’re experiencing more severe pain, speak to your dentist about a prescription medication.