When can i return to work after wisdom tooth extraction

16 Oct How Soon Can I Return to School or Work After Wisdom Tooth Extraction?

Posted at 14:19h in wisdom teeth

Your oral surgeon will discuss all of the post-operative aspects of your care, including the amount of time you must restrict activity after the procedure, at your consultation before the wisdom teeth extraction is scheduled. You will also get detailed instructions on how to care for the extraction site at home. If you follow these instructions, you’ll greatly reduce your risk of complications that could extend your recovery timeline.

Dry sockets and infection are the most common issues that patients encounter after having their wisdom teeth removed. To prevent dry sockets, patients should avoid drinking straws and smoking until they have completely healed from the procedure. Both of these activities can disrupt the formation or attachment of the blood clots that protect the sensitive nerves in the empty sockets.

Additionally, your oral surgeon will instruct you on proper oral hygiene practices to keep the extraction site clean and reduce the likelihood of infection. You likely will need to adjust your brushing and flossing technique for the first few days after having your wisdom teeth removed, as the site may be a little tender, but you still need to keep the area clean.

Patients also may need to adjust their diet for a few days, as chewing can cause some discomfort and tougher foods may harm the healing tissue. Your surgeon will give you instructions about this, as well.

If you have questions about any aspect of your wisdom teeth extraction, including what to expect from the post-operative recovery period, feel free to call our office and speak to one of our knowledgeable team members.

If you have an upcoming wisdom teeth removal procedure, you may be wondering how many days you will be out of your normal schedule. Continue reading to learn the expected recovery time for wisdom teeth removal. If you have any additional questions, do not hesitate to reach out to our experienced dental team.

What can I expect my recovery time to be?

You can expect your recovery time after wisdom teeth removal to be three to four days. However, if your wisdom teeth were impacted, this could increase your recovery time to about a week to heal. You may experience discomfort or pain after wisdom teeth extraction for three days to one week. If you experienced an infection or dry socket, which happens when the blood clot is dislodged from the extraction site, you may experience discomfort for longer. The swelling in your mouth and cheeks will last about two to three days while the soreness will go away after seven to ten days.

Can I speed up the recovery process?

While you are healing after your wisdom teeth extraction, there are a few ways you can speed up the process to heal more quickly. First, you should take it easy for the first at least three days. It is best to wait a full week to resume normal activities. Exercise caution to avoid doing anything that could dislodge the blood clot from the removal site. Next, you should take prescription pain killers that were prescribed by your oral surgeon, or you can take a recommended over-the-counter pain reliever to get some relief from the discomfort. It is also important that you ice your jaw to help with swelling and reduce inflammation. After your first day of recovery, you should practice rinsing your mouth with salt water a few times a day. This will keep the mouth clean and prevent infection from occurring.

What should I avoid after wisdom teeth removal?

To expedite the recovery process, it is also important to recognize the “don’ts” to avoid while you heal. You should avoid brushing, flossing, rinsing, drinking with a straw, and spitting for the first day of recovery. It is also important that you avoid consuming solid foods, alcohol, coffee, hot beverages, and soda in the first few days after your wisdom teeth removal. Each of these actions can risk dislodging the blood clot from where your teeth were removed and causing complications and further recovery.

Contact The Dental Associates of Basking Ridge

Dental Associates of Basking Ridge is a compassionate, gentle, and professional state-of-the-art dental practice serving Basking Ridge, Morris & Somerset County. Our office is always ready to greet our patients with a smile, take the time to answer any questions, and provide the quality dental services our patients expect. Please contact us to schedule an appointment. We look forward to serving you!