Wisdom Tooth Removal: What to Expect and How to Speed Up Healing

If you or your teen (or young adult) is preparing to have your wisdom tooth removed, you’re likely curious about what awaits and how you can hasten the healing process. Here’s a look at what to expect and some practical strategies to expedite your recovery.

Offering Oral Sedation for Comfortable Removal

At Collins Dental Image, we understand that undergoing wisdom tooth removal can be daunting. That’s why we can prescribe a sedative to ease any anxiety or discomfort you may feel during the in-chair extraction procedure. Rest assured, our team is dedicated to ensuring your experience is as comfortable as possible.

Focusing on Recovery Post Extraction

Once your third molars have been removed, you may experience swelling, pain and bleeding in the days following the procedure. However, with proper care, these symptoms can be managed effectively.

Tips for Faster Healing & Dietary Guidelines

To speed up the healing process, it’s essential to follow a few key steps:

1. Maintain Proper Oral Hygiene: Gently brush your teeth and rinse your mouth with salt water to keep the extraction site clean.

2. Manage Pain: Over-the-counter pain relievers can help alleviate discomfort. It’s crucial to follow the dosage instructions carefully.

3. Follow a Soft Diet: After surgery, stick to soft or liquid foods like soups, smoothies and mashed potatoes to prevent irritation to the extraction site.

4. Transition to Semi-Solid Foods (Day 2-7): As recovery progresses, gradually introduce soft, gentle-to-chew foods like steamed vegetables, soft-boiled eggs, well-cooked pastas and oatmeal.

5. Returning to a Regular Diet: 1 Week & Beyond: After roughly one week, begin reintroducing regular foods to your meals. Avoid crunchy, hard or sticky foods until the extraction site has fully recovered.

Any invasive or surgical procedure may carry risks. Before moving forward, it is recommended that you seek a second opinion from an appropriately licensed medical professional.