What to Expect A Guide to Surviving the Aftermath of Wisdom Teeth Extraction
What to Expect A Guide to Surviving the Aftermath of Wisdom Teeth Extraction
Blog Article
Once you say goodbye to your wisdom teeth, you'll have to navigate several days of recovery. It won't be the most fun you've ever had, but with the right moves, it's not the nightmare scenario you might have pictured either.
In the guide below, we detail several ways to make your post-op experience less about suffering and more about getting back to your normal routine.
How to Deal With Any Pain
Let's not sugarcoat it: pain is part of the package deal after wisdom teeth removal.
Your oral surgeon will likely prescribe you with painkillers, and now's the time to use them wisely. Set reminders to take your meds on schedule to avoid the uncomfortable moments.
If you're finding the pain hard to ignore even with medication, it might be a sign that something needs a closer look. Don't tough it out. Call your surgeon's office immediately.
Avoiding Too Much Swelling
Yes, you will swell up. It's your body's way of saying, "I'm working on fixing this." The whole ice pack routine is about to become your best friend. But remember, too much of a good thing (yes, even ice) can be bad.
Stick to the plan: 20 minutes on, 20 minutes off. Elevate your head with some extra pillows when you sleep to avoid waking up looking like you've gone a few rounds in a boxing match.
Choosing the Right Foods
Here's where creativity in the kitchen becomes your ally. The key? Soft foods, but not boring.
Avocado, bananas, and other mashable fruits can become your staples for nutritious, filling meals. Explore soups that excite your taste buds with bold flavors. No crunchy, hard, or sticky foods – unless you want to undo all the hard work of your oral surgeon.
And remember, sucking from straws is off-limits. It can mess with the healing process, and you don't want to end up back at square one.
Handling Emotional Swings
It's completely normal to feel like you're on an emotional rollercoaster post-surgery. You're healing, you're probably a bit out of sorts, and yes, feeling isolated doesn't help.
Keep the lines of communication open with your friends and family. Now's the perfect time to catch up on all those Netflix documentaries you've been adding to your watch list or to become obsessed with a new hobby you can do from the comfort of your bedroom.
Knowing When to Call for Help
Your body's built to wave red flags when something's not right. Pain that escalates instead of decreasing, bleeding that won't stop, or any signs of infection (think unusual swelling, bad tastes, or fevers) are all cues to get on oral surgeon the phone with your surgeon.
If you're ever in doubt about something feeling off, better safe than sorry. They're there to help you get you through this, not just to remove your wisdom teeth and leave you to fend for yourself.
Staying Active
While it's important to rest, don't become a statue. Gentle walks around your home or neighborhood can help keep the blood flowing and aid your recovery.
Just don't plan on running any marathons or hitting the gym hard for at least a week or until your surgeon gives you the green light.
Keeping Good Oral Hygiene – Always!
It's important to keep the surgery site clean, but this isn't the time for your most vigorous brushing and flossing routine.
Rinse gently with salt water or a prescribed mouthwash to keep your mouth pristine and aid the healing process. Be gentle around the surgery site to avoid dislodging the blood clots that are crucial for your recovery.
Practicing Patience
Recovery from wisdom teeth surgery is a marathon, not a sprint. Every person's body heals at its own pace, so don't compare your recovery to someone else's.
Be patient with yourself. It's okay to have good days and bad days. What's important is that you're on the road to recovery, even if it feels slow.
Better Days (and Smiles) Are Ahead
Recovering from wisdom teeth removal isn't exactly a picnic, but it's not the end of the world either.
Follow the tips in this guide, keep your surgeon's number on hand for any concerns, and remember: this too shall pass.
Before you know it, you'll be all healed up, back to eating your favorite foods, and ready to tackle the next adventure life throws your way – wisdom teeth-free.