Recovering After Wisdom Tooth Extraction Surgery

The third molars (or wisdom teeth) of roughly 22% to 66% of Canadians will become impacted at some point in their life¹. So it is no surprise that wisdom tooth extraction surgeries are among the most common dental procedures performed by any oral surgeon or dentist in Vancouver.

It is also no surprise that many Canadians facing wisdom tooth extraction feel some degree of concern. Mostly about post-operative pain, complications during recovery, and how long it will take to recover².

Pre-Surgery Plans That Impact Post-Surgery Pain

Before your surgery, it is important to make appropriate arrangements. That includes transportation on the day-of, time off work in the days after, and (if possible) some supportive care while you recover.

It is also important to be aware of your emotions about the upcoming procedure. Some research suggests that people who feel afraid, and who catastrophize or ruminate on their fears, feel greater post-surgical pain³. Disclosing your fears to your dental provider pre-surgery gives them time to work with you to diminish your fear, and consequently, make your recovery better.

Tips For The Best Recovery

1. Know What To Expect After Extraction

After any wisdom tooth extraction, it is normal to experience some:

Pain;
Bruising;
Face/mouth/tongue swelling;
Depressed mood; and
Light bleeding from the surgical site.

It is important to contact your dentist right away if you experience anything more severe, including:

Fever;
Pain or swelling that continues to get worse and cannot be effectively managed with the recommended/provided medications;
Difficulty swallowing or breathing;
Bleeding that you cannot stop by applying pressure to the surgical site;
Expelling blood or pus from your nose.

2. Know The Timeline For Recovery

For most people, recovery follows a similar timeline.

Post-surgical pain should be worst on the day of extraction and the day after. Applying an ice pack to your face, taking pain medications, and avoiding certain foods and activities — like hard, hot, spicy, and/or crunchy food and alcoholic or caffeinated drinks, smoking, and strenuous activity — will help make recovery more comfortable and reduce the risk of complications.
Blood clots should have formed at the surgical site after about 48 hours.
Pain and swelling should be minimal by the seventh day after extraction⁴.
On the seventh day, the surgical site should have healed enough for your dentist to remove the stitches.
Any remaining jaw pain/stiffness and facial bruising should disappear by day ten to fourteen.

Responding quickly to any abnormalities or complications can make a big difference in how much they disrupt and extend your recovery.

3. Manage Pain With Anti-Inflammatory Medicines

OTC anti-inflammatory medications provide the best pain-management post-extraction⁵. Though it may come as a surprise to many people, aspirin and ibuprofen are often much more effective in this respect than prescription opioids. Moreover, anti-inflammatory medication also out-performs corticosteroids, antihistamines, and topical antimicrobial gels for pain-management after wisdom tooth extraction.

If your pain is particularly severe, it may also help to ask your dentist for a long-lasting local anesthetic. Nevertheless, under normal recovery conditions, these kinds of pain-management measures should not be necessary after about 48 hours post-surgery⁵.

Recover Faster With the Help Of A Dentist Near You

Patients working with any highly experienced dentist in Vancouver can expect to feel less pain, experience fewer postoperative complications, and feel fully recovered faster than those who work with less experienced dentists⁶. Likewise, recovery proceeds faster for people who closely follow their dentists’ instructions.

That includes following recommendations for food/drink and activity restrictions as well as avoiding doing anything to compromise the surgical site, like touching, brushing, or otherwise irritating it.

It is equally important to your recovery that you talk with your dentist about your pre-surgery anxiety. The people who anticipate the most pain during and after surgery and who feel the highest levels of anxiety about the surgery also tend to take the longest to fully heal².

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