After you have had a tooth extracted it is recommended that you allow the area to recover. Something that ruins the recovery process is smoking or sucking through a straw, which can lead to dry sockets and dry rot, a condition which really impacts your dental health.
Why do your Wisdom teeth need to be extracted?
Wisdom teeth erupt from the gums near the back of your jaw. As they arrive they interact with the teeth nearby, either moving them out of place or constricting their spacing in the jaw. This alone requires some recovery and adjustment. However, if patients allow the teeth to fully erupt, where the tooth has penetrated the gums, the gums themselves may be impacted. The teeth that are shifted as a result will suffer, leading to gum damage and tooth loss. Tooth loss leads to more tooth loss, as the jaw and gums attempt to deal with the disruption in ergonomics. This can all lead to loss of dental health standards, and longer recovery times after treatment. The more recovery time you have, the more time you should avoid smoking, drinking through straw, and certain dietary choices.
How long does it take to recover after Wisdom Tooth Extraction?
Wisdom teeth extraction is a process. First you will have a cleaning and examination. They will most likely take x rays to see the state and trajectory of the molar’s eruption.Once this is determined you will make an appointment for extraction. The procedure is an outpatient procedure, and patient’s can decide whether they would like anesthesia, numbing medication, or nitrous oxide. The molars are removed and the patient is provided with care and recovery instructions, and usually another person drives them home. It is as easy as can be.
The recovery itself takes about a week. It could take 2 weeks to a month, depending on how dutiful your care, hygiene, and recovery is. The main problem patients run in to involves not listening to instructions. If you do not practice proper hygiene, you run into issues with infection, which can derail recovery and set you back. If you do not listen to instructions related to dietary and lifestyle changes, like continuing to smoke during recovery, you may develop dry sockets.
Dry Socket
Dry socket occurs when the blood clot protecting the molar extraction site becomes dislodged, and infection finds its way into your gumline. Signs of Dry Socket include
- Redness
- Inflammation
- Bleeding
- Dry mouth
- Bad Breath
- Discharge
- Pain and Discomfort
If infection develops in your gums you could be in for a world of hurt. Infection leads to gum disease, and tooth loss. This is painful, and could lead to disastrous complications during your recovery. The extraction of third molars was probably based on your desire to protect your other teeth and avoid pain. If you are not careful during your recovery–as in choosing to smoke anyway– you could expose yourself to dry socket or infection. Speak to your doctor about how to avoid dry socket, and what steps you need to take to expedite your recovery.