Our mouth, generally, does not have space to make way for the wisdom teeth or third molar, thus triggering pain, discomfort and even shifting of the other teeth, directly affecting the aesthetics of the smile.
Wisdom teeth have been known over time to be a serious problem in most people, especially because of everything that a wisdom tooth surgery involves, such as pain after extraction, which is usually intense during the first 24 hours and the recovery time, which can range from 1 week to several weeks.
If you want to know in detail how long a wisdom tooth extraction takes to heal , keep reading this FastlyHealarticle.
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How Long Does Pain Last After Tooth Extraction
Third molars represent a problem for most people because our mouth does not have enough space for them to break through. The dentist most of the time decides that it is best to remove the tailpiece, since there is not enough space, the wisdom tooth will not come out correctly through the gums due to lack of space, producing what is known as impaction. If this is complete, the tooth will be completely covered by the gum and if it is a partial impaction, only a part of the third molar will have come out.
The pain basically comes from the wisdom tooth pushing on the teeth. Not all people have all 4 wisdom teeth, however, having one or more of the third molars there is a high probability of presenting complications at some point, so it would be best to remove them.
After the extraction of the wisdom teeth, specifically during the first 24 hours, it is normal that there is swelling and pain , in addition there may be light bleeding.
Once the first day after the removal of the tailpiece has elapsed, a blood clot will form on the wound, which would form a natural barrier against possible infections.
You can continue pain after tooth extraction of moderate to light intensity for at least three to four days . However, everything will depend on the care after the surgery. From the fourth day, the pain will gradually decrease.
Fortunately, you can control pain by taking over -the-counter pain relievers or those prescribed by your specialist. This may include acetaminophen, acetaminophen, or diclofenac every 8 to 12 hours depending on the drug and the intensity of the pain.
How long does a wisdom tooth extraction take to heal?
The time it takes to heal a wisdom tooth extraction will depend directly on the care you have and your health in general.
Remember that the extraction of wisdom teeth is necessary when they have partially erupted or when they simply have not erupted causing pain, inflammation in the gums, displacement of teeth and even infectious processes.
In most cases, the recovery from the extraction of the third molars is a little longer than the rest of the teeth, especially if the extraction was due to the fact that the tooth was completely impacted.
The healing time of a wisdom tooth extraction can take approximately 1 month only if the hygiene measures indicated by the dentist are maintained and the clot remains in place. Beneath the surface it can take as long as 6 to 8 months for the jaw bone to grow back and fill in the space left by the wisdom tooth extraction.
In some cases, the dentist may suggest suturing the wound, the patient must return after a week to remove the stitches.
After the removal of the wisdom tooth, a blood clot or what is known as an empty socket forms, and it is important to follow certain recommendations so that it remains in place. Otherwise, if the clot dissolves, the socket will be exposed causing severe pain and will require additional care.
Wisdom tooth extraction: recovery
As described, full recovery from wisdom tooth extraction depends on the type of surgery and the impaction of the tooth.
To achieve a complete recovery after a wisdom tooth extraction, certain care indicated by the dentist must be followed :
- The specialists usually prescribe pain relievers, antibiotics, and anti-inflammatories, such as acetaminophen, paracetamol, ibuprofen, diclofenac, and amoxicillin plus clavulanic acid. The latter is the antibiotic most commonly indicated in the case of tooth extractions.
- Likewise, it is advisable to apply ice directly on the cheek, this considerably reduces the pain.
- 24 hours after extraction, you can use water dissolved with half a teaspoon of salt and perform mouthwashes every 3 or 4 hours.
- Extreme oral hygiene is required, especially in the extraction sites of the wisdom teeth, following the instructions of the dentist.
- It is necessary to follow a soft diet during the first 3 days of the healing process.
- Avoid smoking during the first days after the extraction of the wisdom teeth, follow the recommendation of the specialist.
- During the first days of recovery, intense physical exercise is not advisable.
- Avoid drinking very hot liquids and do not eat food that contains seeds to prevent them from being embedded in the extraction site of the tooth.
- Do not expose yourself to heat or sun, as this promotes inflammation and pain.
In the following article you can see more Care after a wisdom tooth extraction .
Warning Signs After Wisdom Teeth Extraction
You should pay attention to the possible warning signs that may appear after the extraction of a wisdom tooth or third molar. Any of them can be a sign of complications that require immediate specialist assessment:
- Heavy bleeding
- Pus discharge through the wound.
- Bad smell in the mouth.
- Intense pain that does not subside with the administration of analgesics and anti-inflammatories.
- Fever during the first 48 hours after removal of the wisdom teeth.
- Swelling and pain that progresses and increases in intensity.
Finally, you should know that after the extraction of the wisdom teeth, some complications may appear, generally temporary and mild, such as, for example, numbness in the mouth hours after the intervention, nausea and vomiting as a result of anesthesia, some cracks in the lips afterwards. having been with their mouth open for a long time during surgery and jaw pain.
Do not overlook any manifestation that occurs after the extraction of the third molar and follow the recommendations given by the dentist to the letter to avoid complications.
This article is merely informative, at FastlyHeal .com we do not have the power to prescribe medical treatments or make any type of diagnosis. We invite you to see a doctor in the case of presenting any type of condition or discomfort.
If you want to read more articles similar to How long does a wisdom tooth extraction take to heal , we recommend that you enter our Teeth and mouth category .
I am a Surgeon with a diploma in comprehensive ultrasound and surgical care residency, an area I am specializing in. During the exercise of my profession, I have realized the need for patients to know the diseases they suffer, and I can tell you that a large part of their complications is due to a lack of information. Being a health web writer allows me to transmit my experience, without borders, to all those readers eager for knowledge, educate them in the prevention of diseases and promote a healthy lifestyle.