In the field of oral health, wisdom teeth are often a love-hate existence for people. Many people have experienced the pain caused by wisdom teeth and eventually choose to have them extracted to solve the problem. However, after wisdom teeth are extracted, the recovery time has become one of the most concerned issues for everyone. How long exactly does it take for wisdom teeth to recover? This question does not have a simple answer. It is influenced by a combination of multiple factors. Next, let’s delve into the entire process of wisdom tooth recovery in detail.
Different Stages and time Ranges of wisdom tooth recovery
(1) Immediately after the operation to 24 hours: Peak period of bleeding and pain
When a wisdom tooth is successfully extracted, a blood clot will immediately form at the extraction site, which is the first step for the body to initiate self-repair. Within 15 to 30 minutes after the operation, doctors usually ask the patient to bite a cotton ball and help the wound stop bleeding initially by applying pressure to stop the bleeding. In most cases, as long as the blood coagulation function is normal, bleeding will be significantly reduced during this period of time.
However, within 24 hours after the operation, the wound remains unstable, and slight bleeding is a relatively common phenomenon. At this point, the pain at the wound site is also quite obvious. This is due to the tissue damage and inflammatory response caused during the tooth extraction process. The degree of pain varies from person to person. Some people may only feel a mild distending pain, while others may experience more severe pain and even need to take painkillers to relieve it. This stage is the most uncomfortable period in the recovery process. Patients need to pay extra attention to rest and avoid strenuous exercise to prevent an increase in blood pressure that could lead to aggravated bleeding.
(2) 1-3 days after the operation: Swelling and pain persist
From the first day after the operation, the tissues around the wound will gradually become swollen, which is a normal inflammatory response of the body to the trauma. Swelling usually peaks 2 to 3 days after the operation. The face may become significantly swollen, and it may even affect normal mouth opening and eating. Although the pain may be alleviated to some extent, it still exists, especially when swallowing saliva or eating. The wound is stimulated and the pain becomes more obvious.
At this stage, patients can relieve swelling and pain by applying cold compresses. The principle of cold compress is to cause local blood vessels to concontract, reduce blood seepage, and thereby alleviate swelling. Apply cold compresses for 15 to 20 minutes each time, once every 1 to 2 hours, for better results. At the same time, taking anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving drugs on time as prescribed by the doctor can help control inflammation and relieve pain.
(3) 3 to 7 days after the operation: Swelling subsides and pain relieves
Starting approximately from the third day after the operation, the swelling will gradually subside and the pain will be significantly alleviated. At this point, the blood clot at the wound site has begun to organize and gradually form granulation tissue, which is an important process for wound healing. Patients can start to try eating some semi-liquid or soft foods, such as rice porridge, noodles, steamed eggs, etc. However, they still need to avoid spicy, stimulating foods and hard foods to prevent irritation to the wound and affect healing.
About 7 days after the operation, if there are no abnormal conditions such as infection at the wound site, the doctor usually recommends a follow-up visit to remove the stitches. Removing the stitches means that the sutures on the surface of the wound no longer hinder the healing process, and the wound will continue to grow new tissue inward for further repair. However, even if the stitches are removed, the wound is still relatively fragile and requires continued care.
(4) 1-2 weeks after the operation: Initial healing
One to two weeks after the operation, the mucosal tissue on the surface of the wound has basically healed, the pain and swelling have largely disappeared, and the patient’s oral function has gradually returned to normal, allowing them to eat and speak normally. But at this time, the tissues inside the wound are still continuously repairing, and the alveolar bone is also gradually remodeling. At this stage, patients still need to keep their mouths clean, rinse their mouths promptly after meals, and brush their teeth with a soft-bristled toothbrush to avoid food residue causing infection.
(5) 1-3 months after the operation: Complete healing
Starting from one month after the operation, the tissue repair inside the wound was gradually completed, and the remodeling of the alveolar bone was also approaching its end. About three months after the operation, the tooth extraction wound has basically healed completely, and the newly formed bone tissue and mucosal tissue have been able to withstand normal chewing pressure. However, everyone’s physical recovery ability varies, and some people may need a longer time to fully recover.
Factors Affecting the Recovery Time of Wisdom Teeth
(1) The growth condition of wisdom teeth
The position of wisdom teeth: If wisdom teeth emerge normally and are in a relatively upright position, they will be easier to extract, cause less damage to the surrounding tissues, and have a shorter recovery time. On the contrary, if the wisdom tooth is an impacted tooth, that is, the wisdom tooth cannot erupt normally and is partially or completely hidden in the alveolar bone, when it is extracted, the gum needs to be cut and part of the alveolar bone removed, resulting in greater surgical trauma and a significantly longer recovery time. For instance, horizontally impacted wisdom teeth, due to their different growth direction from normal teeth, require more operations during the extraction process to remove them. Postoperative swelling and pain will be more severe, and the recovery time may be 1 to 2 weeks longer than that of normal wisdom teeth.
The complexity of wisdom teeth: Some wisdom teeth have complex root shapes and may have multiple curved roots. When extracting them, more precise operations are required and the time taken is longer. This undoubtedly increases damage to the surrounding tissues and leads to a longer recovery time. Wisdom teeth with relatively simple and straight roots are easier to extract and recover faster.
(2) The patient’s physical condition
Age: Young people have a fast body metabolism and strong tissue repair ability, so the recovery time after wisdom tooth extraction is relatively short. As one ages, various bodily functions gradually decline, metabolism slows down, and the ability to repair tissues weakens, thus prolonging the recovery time accordingly. For instance, teenagers may be able to basically return to normal within 1 to 2 weeks after having their wisdom teeth extracted, while middle-aged and elderly people may need 2 to 3 weeks or even longer.
Health condition: If the patient themselves have some chronic diseases, such as diabetes, blood system diseases, etc., it will affect the body’s blood coagulation function and tissue repair ability, leading to a prolonged recovery time of wisdom teeth. Take diabetes as an example. A hyperglycemic environment can inhibit the function of white blood cells, reduce the body’s resistance, and easily cause wound infections, thereby affecting healing. In addition, long-term use of certain medications, such as anticoagulants, can also increase the risk of postoperative bleeding and affect the recovery process.
(3) Postoperative care situation
Oral hygiene: Maintaining good oral hygiene is the key to the recovery of wisdom teeth. If oral hygiene is not paid attention to after the operation, food residues are likely to remain at the wound site, breed bacteria, cause infection and prolong the recovery time. On the contrary, if patients strictly follow the doctor’s instructions, rinse their mouths with mouthwash promptly after meals, brush their teeth correctly in the morning and evening, and keep their mouths clean, they can effectively prevent infections and speed up recovery.
Diet and rest: A reasonable diet and sufficient rest are also very important for the recovery of wisdom teeth. If spicy, irritating or hard food is consumed after the operation, it will irritate the wound, cause pain and bleeding, and affect the healing process. Choosing nutritious and easily digestible foods, such as those rich in protein and vitamins, can provide the body with sufficient nutrition and promote tissue repair. At the same time, ensuring adequate sleep and rest can help enhance the body’s immunity and accelerate the recovery process.
Precautions during the Recovery of Wisdom Teeth
(1) Treatment of bleeding
It is normal to have a slight bleeding within 24 hours after the operation. However, if there is a lot of bleeding, such as continuous fresh blood flowing out, you should immediately bite a clean cotton ball or gauze and seek medical attention as soon as possible. On the way to the hospital, you can adopt a forward-leaning position to avoid discomfort or vomiting caused by swallowing blood. At the same time, do not spit frequently to avoid an increase in negative pressure in the mouth, which may cause the blood clot to fall off and lead to rebleeding.
(2) Relief of pain
If the pain is unbearable, you can take painkillers as prescribed by the doctor. However, it should be noted that do not increase the dosage of the medicine by yourself or take other drugs that have not been approved by a doctor. In addition to cold compresses, you can also try applying a warm towel to your face (be sure to avoid the wound) to promote blood circulation and relieve pain.
(3) Prevention of Infection
Closely monitor the condition of the wound. If symptoms such as redness, swelling, increased pain, fever, and bad breath occur, it may be a sign of wound infection and medical attention should be sought promptly. During the recovery period, strictly follow the doctor’s instructions, take anti-inflammatory drugs on time, keep the mouth clean, avoid licking the wound with the tongue or touching it with hands to prevent bacterial infection.
(4) The Importance of Follow-up Visits
It is very important to have follow-up visits on time as arranged by the doctor. During the follow-up visit, the doctor can check the healing of the wound and promptly identify and address any potential issues. For instance, the determination of the time for suture removal, the early diagnosis and treatment of infection, etc., all require doctors to make judgments and handle them through follow-up visits.
Conclusion
The recovery time of wisdom teeth is influenced by multiple factors. From the immediate postoperative period to complete healing, it generally takes 1 to 3 months. During the recovery process, patients should understand the characteristics of recovery at different stages, pay attention to various factors affecting recovery, do a good job in postoperative care, and strictly follow the doctor’s instructions. Only in this way can the wounds of wisdom teeth heal smoothly and oral health be restored. If any abnormal situation occurs during the recovery process, it is essential to communicate with the doctor in a timely manner and seek professional assistance.
Related topics:
Wisdom teeth suddenly inflamed or not?
Why are wisdom teeth so painful?
