Wisdom teeth, or third molars, are the last teeth that erupt in the mouth. They normally appear between the ages of 17-21. Many people have no room for wisdom teeth, which is why they must be removed. Every year, almost 5 million people in the United States go through surgery to remove their wisdom teeth. More than 85% of people undergo wisdom tooth removal during their lifetimes.
Is Wisdom Teeth Removal Painful?
Most people experience slight discomfort, mild pain, and swelling for around 3 days after wisdom teeth extraction. Unless you develop a dry socket, most people feel fine within 3-7 days.
How Quickly Should You Resume Work?
Normally, your dentist will advise you to take 1-2 days off for proper recovery following Wisdom Teeth Surgery. It’s vital to not only follow the instructions of your dentist and surgeon but also allow for fast healing by following a few easy tips.
What To Expect During Surgery
Wisdom tooth oral surgery is an outpatient procedure taking 45 minutes or so. If you’re just receiving local anesthesia (for non-impacted wisdom teeth), you may drive to and from the appointment. For extractions involving moderate to deep sedation, you will need a ride to and from the clinic of your oral surgeon. Depending on the anesthesia option you choose, your first day of recovery could change a little bit. Local anesthetic and conscious sedation are less fatiguing than deep sedation.
Waking Up
For normal wisdom tooth removal, a local numbing agent and mild sedation is enough. You probably will not feel anything during the procedure. But can leave right after the extraction is over. Extraction of impacted wisdom teeth is needed if your wisdom teeth could not erupt through your gums and are probably embedded in your jawbone. In this surgery, the patient will likely receive some form of general anesthesia apart from local anesthesia near the location of extraction.
After impacted wisdom teeth surgery, it may take a little time for you to wake up from general anesthesia. You likely will remember nothing about the surgery, being moved to a recovery room, etc.
Going Home
When you wake up, you’ll experience some numbing in your mouth. Your sensation will be restored over the course of the next several hours. There would be blood in your mouth in the initial 24 hours of recovery. Decide to rest for the evening of your surgery and avoid strenuous activities.
For a short recovery time, comply by these simple rules:
Take the pain medicine prescribed by your surgeon soon after your wisdom teeth surgery.
Put in fresh gauze once every hour.
Remove your gauze pad(s) a few hours after surgery is complete.
Avoid brushing your teeth, flossing, or using mouthwash for one day.
Never touch the area around the extraction location/s.
Don’t try to remove your gauze to inspect the infection site except to replace it.
The Bottom Line
For speedy wisdom teeth recovery follow the instructions of your oral surgeon strictly.
