What to do with Swollen Cheeks? Is it time to remove a Wisdom Tooth?

Wisdom tooth removal is a common dental surgery that every one of us goes through at some point in our life if we have a wisdom tooth. It may take more than 15 days to fully recover after the extraction. However, proper care can help patients in quick recovery after the tooth removal surgery.

Wisdom teeth are third molars that appear at the very back of your mouth. They got these names because they are likely to come out when you are between the age group of 17 to 25. This is the time when you start to get mature hence the name wisdom tooth.  

If luckily you’ve got your wisdom tooth to develop correctly, they will be more likely helpful in chewing and eating. But if they happen to appear angular or if there’s isn’t sufficient room for your molars to develop and to come out properly, then your dentist may suggest you have a tooth extraction surgery.

Why do Wisdom Teeth come with Swollen Cheeks?

When typically, wisdom teeth begin to pop out from your gums, it’s common to have swollen gums and experience some discomfort.

Once your wisdom tooth develops irregularly, you may face complications such as swollen cheeks and painful gums. You may face more complications if you experience the following along with irregular formation :

• A partially emerged tooth will allow germs to sit on your jaws and gums.
• The incorrectly positioned tooth will make it hard for the food to pass and will build a cavity.
• Cyst formation may damage the bone holding your teeth.

You may also experience swollen gums if you are having vitamin C deficiency, but in those cases, the swelling does not limit your gums.

How long will it take to recover from Wisdom Tooth Removal?

The length of the wisdom tooth removal surgery depends on the position of the tooth and the complexity of the surgery.

Many times, people need stitches after the removal of a wisdom tooth to close the wound, which can be usually plucked within a few days. Sometimes you can experience swelling, bruising, or infection, which may take some time to heal.

That’s why it’s hard to say the exact number of days or time to your recovery. People experience gradual improvements depending on the kind of surgery they had. However, for your reference, we have found what the dentists say about the healing process:

• 24 hours – formation of blood clots
• 48 to 72 hours – reduced swelling from cheeks and gums
• 7 days – removal of stitches (if any)
• 7 to 10 days – jaw soreness and stiffness fades away
• 2 weeks – bruises heal

If you’ve extracted one or more wisdom teeth at the same time, then healing of your gums may take more time than usual. Plus, if the wound becomes infected, recovery would delay a bit longer.

How to speed up the healing process?

Blood clots are an essential part of the healing process. They are formed at the position where the tooth has been extracted. They help in:

• Preventing bleeding
• Building new tissues
• Protects the gums from infection
• Protects the visible, unprotected bone

That’s why it’s suggested not to dislodge these blood clots under 24 hours of your surgery.

Avoid:

• Brushing near the extraction site
• Hot drinks
• Rinsing mouth
• Having foods that need chewing
• Drinking alcohol, using a straw, or smoking for the first 24 hours.

Things to do after Dental Surgery

In facilitating your wisdom tooth to recover fast, you must take advice from your surgeon or dentist for clearer information or follow the prescription to fasten your recovery process.

Pieces of advice may include:

• Place the gauze pad on the extraction area and bite it for half an hour.
• Icing from the outer face area using an ice pack after surgery for the next few minutes to reduce swelling and discomfort.
• Not to drive for 48 hours after the surgery as you may have had minor anesthesia.
• Not to join the office or school for the next few days or until you feel comfortable.
• Take pain killers or prescribed medicine regularly.

Take away

It is important to have the extraction area clean while the wound is healing. Because in the meantime people have to drink and eat food that can stick easily from where the tooth was removed. This can become challenging sometimes.

You can keep the wound clean by:

• Rinsing your mouth after eating anything with warm water.
• Using anesthetic mouthwash to prevent infections.
• Sleeping with a raised head to feel comfortable

People may feel exhausted and tired after tooth extraction surgery and might need to avoid work that needs intense energy.