The Worst Day of Pain After Wisdom Tooth Extraction (or 2-3 Days…)
Wisdom tooth extraction can be a relatively pain-free procedure, but on the first few days, all hell breaks loose. You may experience some of these symptoms:
- swelling in your face or mouth;
- numbness in your jaw and gums;
- pus oozing from where the tooth was extracted;
- fever if an infection develops;
- jaw pain and headache.
While there’s no way to truly avoid the worst day of pain after a wisdom tooth extraction, these tips should help relieve at least some of your pain and swelling and make the experience a bit more tolerable. If your pain is severe or does not subside after a few days, be sure to speak with your dentist as soon as possible.
When to Remove the Gauze?
First and foremost, follow your dentist’s instructions on how long you need to leave the gauze in place after extraction. In general, it should be in place for at least a half hour, but some dentists recommend leaving it in all day. Check with your dentist to determine when it’s safe to remove the gauze.
Proceed With Caution
The good news is that you can survive the worst day of pain after a wisdom tooth extraction with these simple tips. During the first day after the extraction, you should be very careful about what you eat. Avoid chewing on your side with the extracted tooth and only consume foods that are easily chewed. Stick to soft foods for a few days as this will help to reduce swelling, inflammation, and discomfort.
Don’t Eat or Drink Right After
The worst thing you can do after a wisdom tooth removal is to eat or drink right away. You should wait at least 30 minutes to an hour before eating or drinking anything so that the anesthesia has fully worn off. Be sure to take it slow and don’t rush through meals, as this could cause food particles to get stuck in your extraction site.
Oral Hygiene After Tooth Removal
It’s crucial to take care of your oral hygiene following tooth extraction. Brush your teeth and floss regularly, but be gentle around the extraction site. Also, rinse your mouth with warm salt water a few times per day.
Ice Packs!
Applying an ice pack to your cheek or mouth can help to reduce swelling and inflammation. This is a great way to manage pain following wisdom tooth extraction. Just be sure not to apply the ice pack directly on the skin as it might cause frostbite, but instead wrap it in a thin cloth first.
Pain Medications
If the pain is really bothering you, ask your dentist about using a prescription pain medication like ibuprofen. OTC pain medications are not always strong enough to help with the worst day of pain after wisdom tooth extraction.
While there’s no way to truly avoid the worst day of pain following a wisdom tooth extraction, these tips should help relieve at least some of your pain and swelling and make the experience a bit more tolerable. If your pain is severe or does not subside after a few days, be sure to speak with your dentist as soon as possible.
Check for the Unusual Symptoms
If you’re experiencing any unusual symptoms, such as swollen glands, a rash or swelling in your face or neck, be sure to get in touch with your dentist right away. Here are some symptoms that may warrant a trip to the dentist.
Severe Pain
If the pain from your extraction site seems more severe than normal, or if it is radiating to other areas of your face or jaw, you should get in touch with your dentist right away.
Excessive Bleeding
If you are experiencing a lot more bleeding than you would expect following your extraction, this could be a sign that something is wrong. Contact your dentist as soon as possible if you are having excessive bleeding.
Fever or Chills
If you have a fever or chills, this could be a sign of a surgical site infection. Again, contact your dentist or oral surgeon right away if you are experiencing any of these symptoms.
Dental Implants
You should wait at least a couple of days after your surgery before you get dental implants. Follow all post-surgical procedures and make sure that any stitches are removed by your dentist prior to getting the implant.
Complications After Wisdom Teeth Removal: Dry Socket
One of the most painful symptoms that can occur after a wisdom tooth extraction is dry socket. Dry tooth socket occurs when the blood clot where the extraction took place falls out, leaving exposed nerves and bone in its wake. This can be extremely painful and may require some sort of treatment to minimize the throbbing pain.
With these tips, you can survive the worst day of pain after a wisdom tooth extraction and get back to feeling like yourself again in no time!
Wisdom tooth removal is a serious oral surgery, so it’s not surprising that many people experience some pain, swelling, and soreness for a few days afterward. But now you know how to survive the worst days after surgery.
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