How Long Does It Really Take to Heal After Wisdom Teeth Removal? Myths vs Reality?

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How Long Does It Really Take to Heal After Wisdom Teeth Removal? Myths vs Reality?

Having your wisdom teeth removed is a rite of passage, but the healing process. That’s where it gets all fuzzy. Ask five people, and you’ll likely get at least five different responses, from “I was fine the next day” to “I couldn’t eat normally for weeks. So how long does wisdom teeth recovery take? Let’s find out and set the record straight on some of the common myths in the process.

Why Are Wisdom Teeth Removed?

Wisdom teeth, or third molars, typically erupt in your late teens to early twenties. By this time, there is insufficient room for them to come in and that leads to:

• Crowding or pushing other teeth
• Swelling or pain
• Infection
• Impacted teeth – these remain crowded under the gum

Due to such potential risks, dentists usually prescribe wisdom tooth extraction essentially when they start affecting our daily routine.

Myth 1: You’ll Be Back to Normal in a Day or Two

Reality: Most people need 7–10 days for basic healing

The largest myth is that it’s instant, a one- or two-day affair. It’ll be only less than a week before the body will have recovered from the extractions and the swelling goes away. If your teeth were surgically extracted or were impacted then it might go up to 2 weeks.

So what is the correct time it takes to recover?

The correct answer is, Healing takes up to 4–6 weeks, recovery is a process of 7–10 days

Myth 2: You’ll be in horrible pain the entire time

Reality: The pain comes on worst early and then subsides

The first 24 to 48 hours are normally where you will face intense pain. The pain worsens with remote soft tissues which are tender and stiff. They will later go down in intensity. Prescription medication is usually sufficient to manage the majority of patients on a daily basis.

Some ideas for acute pain management:

• Ice pack over the involved area within the first 48 hours
• Cold foods ( like yogurt, smoothies)
• Chair rest

What Actual Recovery Timeline Is ?

Post-Operative Day 1–2

• You will suffer swelling, bruising, and pain in the affected area.
• Liquid only and soft/cold foods
• Don’t brush, and don’t go out of your way  to rinse the area

Post-Operative Days 3–5

• Swelling will be at maximum
• Pain will begin to break
• Ongoing warm salt soaks to attempt draining the area
• You can resume bland foods (such as mashed potatoes or eggs) again

Day 6–10

• Pain is significantly reduced to feeling minimal
• Swelling is normal
• Resume normal activity, with the exception of strenuous exercise, which should be avoided

Week 3 and beyond

• Tissue heals internally
• Stitches (if closed with suture) dissolve or fall out
• It should heal within 4–6 weeks

Myth 3: Dry Socket Affects Everybody

Reality: It’s preventable and rare

Dry socket is caused by throbbing, aching pain on irritation or early breakdown of the protective clot over the wound and subsequent exposure of bone and nerve. Dry socket is also a recognized cause of delayed healing and pain onset.

Only 0.5% to 5% of patients ever develop dry sockets.

Prevention of dry socket

• Don’t smoke and drink through a straw (sucking dislodges the clots)
• Don’t have crunchy or hard food for a while
• Read your post-operative orders word for word to you by your oral surgeon or dentist

If you have no idea whatsoever what to do, don’t be your own doctor, call your oral surgeon or dentist.

Myth 4: You Can’t Eat Anything for a Week

Reality: You can eat, just choose the food wisely

Having your wisdom teeth extracted is a preventative measure that’s life-saving. You begin with liquids and afterwards soft food. You may not be consuming hot or horrific food in the first place, but you won’t starve.

What to consume with regained:

• Smoothies (no straws!)
• Oatmeal
• Scrambled eggs
• Sweet potatoes
• Soup

Myth 5: Everybody Needs a Break from School or Work

Reality: It depends person-to-person and step-by-step.

Because you most likely did not have an immediate extraction (no stitches, no impaction), you’ll be able to go in the morning. The majority of people return to work or school within 2–3 days. The more complicated cases which have impacted wisdom teeth or multiple extractions take longer to heal.

So, if you’re worried, how long before I recover from wisdom teeth so I can go back to work? Your recovery will be around 3–5 days for everyone but there might be a few who take a bit longer to get back to full pace.

Conclusion

All that matters in how long does the healing process for wisdom teeth take is:

• Your recovery period
• Tending to your pain and swelling
• Avoiding dry socket or infection
• Rest,consume liquids, and maintain nutritious diet

You will also be told to be obedient to post-operative orders by your dentist. Don’t miss an appointment, and don’t mess with steak on Day 3.

Healing Takes Time, Not Forever. Week one is the doozy of a lot of the healing, but just takes 4–6 weeks to arrive. Most people are a lot better on Day 5 and pretty much on their way to a normal routine in no time.

Relax, do what your dentist tells you, and remember, every mouth is not created equal.

So the healing will differ.