How to Recover Quickly After Wisdom Teeth Removal

In most cases, wisdom teeth, or the third molars, need removal, typically due to tooth crowding, especially if they are impacted or erupt at an angle or only partially. Wisdom teeth trapped within the gums may eventually cause damage to surrounding teeth, infection and pain.

Do you need your wisdom teeth treated?

Wisdom teeth are the last teeth to emerge, so they most commonly become impacted. This may happen because a tooth is turned to the side, tilted, rotated, or there is not enough room in the jaw for it to emerge. Symptoms include swelling of the gum at the back of the mouth, difficulty opening the jaw, bad breath, an unpleasant taste, and pain when chewing or opening your mouth, which can come and go over days, weeks or months.

Wisdom tooth extraction

Before extraction you will receive a local anaesthetic; a general anaesthetic may be used if several teeth are removed at once, and you will usually be asked not to eat or drink after midnight the night before surgery. Your dentist opens the gum tissue over the tooth, removes any covering bone, separates the tissue connecting tooth and bone, and removes the tooth, sometimes in smaller pieces.

What to expect after extraction

• Bite gently on gauze and change pads as needed; call your dentist if bleeding continues 24 hours after surgery
• Be careful not to bite your numb cheek, lip or tongue, and don't eat while still numb
• Don't lie flat; prop your head up with pillows
• Use an ice pack for the first day, then moist heat for the following two to three days
• Rest, and avoid physical activity that may increase bleeding
• Eat soft foods such as gelatin, pudding or thin soup, adding solid food as healing progresses
• Avoid straws for the first few days
• After the first day, rinse gently with warm salt water several times a day
• Don't smoke for at least 24 hours after surgery
• Continue to brush your teeth and tongue carefully

Your dentist will remove any non-dissolving stitches after a few days. United Smiles is conveniently located in the heart of Mernda Village, with ample parking at the rear and wheelchair access at the front.