How Long Does Wisdom Tooth Pain Last After Surgery?
Wisdom teeth removal has become very common these days, and everyone is having their wisdom teeth extracted for one reason or another. As common as it is, many people often wonder what the repercussions of the extraction are and how long the pain lasts. This article will elaborate on the causes of pain after wisdom teeth removal and how long it will take to heal.
If your wisdom teeth were impacted, you might have already experienced pain before the extraction, and you want to believe that the pain will go away after extraction. However, sometimes, this is not always the case. While the pain usually goes away on its own for some people, others may need specialized care and treatment over time to help in pain relief. Perhaps to better understand how long the pain will last after an extraction, you need first to understand what causes the pain.
What causes wisdom teeth pain after removal?
During the extraction of wisdom teeth, the dentist will apply local anesthesia by injection to numb the area so that you don’t feel any pain during the entire procedure. After that, he/she goes ahead to make an incision through the gum, if the wisdom tooth is impacted, in order to expose the tooth for better extraction. Sometimes, he might even need to break the tooth into pieces before attempting to uproot it piece by piece. After the whole tooth/teeth are removed, the dentist then goes ahead to clean the area and stitch up the gaping gum hole left behind. This whole procedure, as you can already see, involves a lot of invasion into your gum tissue and as a result, leaves behind a wound after the procedure.
How long does wisdom tooth pain last?
When your anesthesia wears off, pain is inevitable because you basically have a wound in your mouth. Your gum will be sore from the incisions and stitching did during extraction, and your cheeks may also be sore because your mouth was forcefully open during the surgery. If properly taken care of, the pain should go away in no more than 3 days. However, if not carefully treated, the wound may open up again, requiring medical attention and further treatment, which might take longer to heal, maybe 2 weeks or even more. Your dentist will give you clear instructions on how to take care of your wound after the procedure.
How to take care of your wound after wisdom teeth extraction.
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Avoid spitting
For your wound to heal, it will form a blood clot that needs to remain intact until the area heals fully. Spitting can dislodge the blood clot and cause further bleeding, which will prolong your healing time.
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Eat Soft Foods
Eat soft food in the first 24 or 48 hours after the surgery. Avoid alcoholic beverages and coffee during this time.
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Avoiding Brushing your Teeth
Do not brush your teeth as this can also dislodge the blood clot. Use mouthwash instead by gently swishing it around your mouth, avoiding the wound area.
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Painkillers
You can use OTC pain killers to help with the pain.
Bottom Line
If you want a professional wisdom teeth extraction process and a painless recovery afterward, visit our dentist in Melbourne who will offer the most professional wisdom tooth extraction and offer the best advice on an effortless recovery.