Once you’ve had your wisdom teeth extracted, it’s time to recover. This stage is often the most painful, as it can be accompanied by bleeding, swelling and even bruising. Eating can also become a real headache! We’ve put together this little guide to help you through this not always rosy period.
Returning home
After wisdom teeth surgery, it’s time to recover. After giving you his or her instructions, the dentist will send you home. Your jaw and tongue will still be asleep, but this is normal. It usually takes a few hours for the anaesthetic to wear off completely. If you want to try and eat something, you can. It’s best to eat something liquid, especially if your tongue is still numb. Otherwise, beware of being bitten before you know it!
Our No. 1 tip is: REST! Even if the operation went well, it’s important that you take some time for yourself. So it’s off to the sofa and Netflix for the next 24 hours, guilt-free.
How can I stop bleeding after wisdom teeth surgery?
You will probably still have some bleeding when you get home. You can apply folded compresses that you will then chew on, while applying cold to your cheeks (for about 20 minutes).
Your saliva may be slightly tinged with red over the next few days, which is normal. However, if the bleeding is severe and lasts for several days, we advise you to contact the dental practice again to make sure that everything is fine.
What is the recovery period after wisdom teeth surgery?
As mentioned above, the first thing to do is rest for at least 24 hours. Your dentist will give you instructions to follow, such as
- Take all the medication prescribed for you.
- Avoid physical activity for the first few days
- Do not eat very cold, hot or spicy foods
- Avoid small foods such as rice or quinoa
- Do not drink alcohol or smoke
- Avoid sleeping on the operated side
- Spit (this creates suction and can loosen the clot)
- Do not drink through a straw
- Do not use mouthwash
However, you must maintain good oral hygiene to avoid infection. You can continue to brush your teeth as normal, but be careful when you get close to the stitches. To rinse your teeth, take a little water and gently move your head to swirl the water around in your mouth.
Wisdom teeth surgery often means difficulty eating. But that doesn’t mean you have to fast for a week while you heal. There are certain foods and recipes that you should try to avoid interfering with the healing process, while still enjoying the pleasures of eating.
How long does recovery last?
This depends on the individual. In general, we’ll wait one or two weeks before removing the sutures (unless your sutures reabsorb on their own, in which case you won’t have to return to the surgery). After that, you can eat normally again. The wound will continue to heal without you noticing.
The swelling will also disappear after 3 days, but you may see some bruising. This will also dissipate spontaneously over the next few days. If you experience fever, vomiting or a bad taste coming from your wounds, contact your dentist immediately, as this could be a sign of infection.
In all cases, be sure to follow your dentist’s recommendations to ensure optimal healing.
