Wisdom Tooth Removal Singapore: How Long does it take for one to Recover After Wisdom Teeth Removal?
Wisdom teeth removal is considered the most common oral surgery. The removal of wisdom teeth can involve two different procedures: “simple” or surgical extraction, which often requires only local anesthesia and doesn’t have any effect on the surrounding area, and orthognathic surgery, which is usually reserved for more complex cases. Orthognathic surgery at Smilepoint Dental wisdom tooth removal in Singapore involves carefully cutting the jawbone to reposition it into a proper alignment.
How long does it take for one to recover after Wisdom Teeth Removal?
Wisdom teeth removal recovery times tend to vary depending on the type of oral surgery you had. The average recovery time for a simple extraction is usually about seven days, while orthognathic surgery can take around 4-12 weeks to recover completely.
Typically your dentist will prescribe an antibiotic just before your procedure, which you should start taking at least one hour before the surgery. Some people may experience discomfort after surgery, so your dentist will prescribe you pain medication that can be taken for up to 7 days post-operation; however, try not to overuse the medicine because doing so can cause stomach problems.
Hot and cold packs are also recommended to reduce swelling and promote healing. Other factors like your general health condition, age, lifestyle habits (smoking), or other medical conditions may also influence how fast or slowly you recover after wisdom tooth removal in Singapore.
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For example, if you smoke cigarettes, it could slow down the healing process, whereas maintaining a healthy diet with Vitamin C-rich fruits like oranges will aid in boosting your immune system. Some doctors also recommend eating soft foods after the surgery.
For most people, eating should start about 1-2 days post wisdom teeth removal – but only soft foods for a few days or up to a week. However, it’s important to note that you will still have stitches even if the process was minor, which means you would need to avoid hard food until they are removed.
What more should I Expect after Wisdom Tooth Removal?
It is recommended not to use your mouth wash within one hour of having dental treatment done because doing so can create irritation in the area where your tooth extraction was performed. It is also recommendable that you take an over-the-counter pain reliever if necessary; however, do not take aspirin as this would interfere with the blood clotting process leading to greater bleeding risk.
Here are ten things you should expect after wisdom teeth removal in Singapore
- It’s normal to feel pain, swelling, bleeding gums, or bruising immediately after your procedure. The pain will gradually subside as you start taking medications prescribed by your doctor. Cold compresses placed over your cheeks near the affected area provide relief within a few days. Your doctor will also recommend soft foods, ice cream, or soups to help reduce the pain and speed up your recovery.
- Don’t eat hard or tough foods for a couple of weeks after removing your wisdom teeth. These foods put you at risk for developing an infection, inflammation, damage to the surgical area, or having permanent lumps on your gums. Even brushing your teeth can be painful at this stage in the healing process, so don’t do it unless otherwise directed by your dentist. Allow enough time for any bleeding that occurred during surgery to clot and heal before you start brushing again. Use toothpaste without fluoride if necessary because fluoride can also delay wound healing.
- You’ll need to take prescribed pain medication after wisdom teeth removal. The dosage and type of pain relief medication you receive before, during, and after surgery will depend on the complexity of the procedure and your medical history. Your doctor may prescribe stronger or longer-acting narcotics such as Vicodin, Norco, Percocet, Oxycontin, or Tylenol with codeine to relieve severe postoperative pain.
- Expect significant swelling in the first 24 to 48 hours after surgery. Swelling is one of the unavoidable symptoms following wisdom teeth removal, so don’t be alarmed by its severity. To minimize the negative effects associated with this side effect, take antihistamines such as Benadryl to reduce your body’s inflammatory response and use ice packs instead of heat packs for swelling.
- Your orthodontist will need to reposition your jaw after surgery. You may feel like you’ll never be able to chew or talk normally again, but this is only temporary. Expect the discomfort and difficulty chewing to subside within a couple of weeks.
- Apply an antibacterial ointment to the affected area as directed before replacing your bandage or dressing. This will help reduce the risk of infection and speed up your healing time.
- You may feel like you’re unable to talk after wisdom teeth removal. Your jaw will need time to heal, so avoid foods that are hard to chew until your dentist gives you the green light. The discomfort associated with talking should subside within a couple of days. Still, some patients experience permanent changes in their speech, which can be corrected by speech therapy or future dental work.
- Avoid alcoholic beverages while recovering from wisdom teeth surgery. They slow down blood clotting, which means bleeding is more likely. Also, drinking alcohol on an empty stomach can lead to nausea or vomiting that further delays your recovery time because it interrupts the digestion of food.
- Reduce physical activities for at least a week after surgery. This means no contact sports or strenuous physical activities that may increase pressure in your jaw.
- Wisdom teeth removal does not always require stitches, but if they are needed, your dentist will apply them during the procedure. The stitches dissolve on their own over time, leaving behind no visible marks after healing is complete.
- You can use an electric toothbrush once you’re able to brush your teeth again following wisdom teeth removal. Brushing using only your fingers takes longer and exposes you to harmful microorganisms, so avoid this until told otherwise by your dentist.
- Avoid smoking for one month following wisdom teeth surgery because it increases blood clotting and slows down the process of healing. Nicotine found in cigarettes may also cause mouth sores that prolong the discomfort you experience following wisdom teeth removal.
In Closing
Wisdom tooth removal in Singapore may be your best bet if you have developed severe complications with your wisdom teeth. Call us now for scheduling of your medical assessment if your wisdom teeth are impacting your quality of life or if your GP has recommended an appointment with a specialist for wisdom teeth evaluation and removal. Call: +65 64751028.
Smilepoint Dental Holland Village – Wisdom Tooth Extraction/Removal | Dental Implants
43 Jln Merah Saga, #01-64 Chip Bee Gardens, Singapore 278115
+65 6475 1028
