How long is your face swollen after wisdom teeth removal

Few things are more nerve-wracking than oral surgery. If you’ve just scheduled a procedure, like dental implants or wisdom tooth extraction, you may have some concerns before the big day. What can I expect after surgery? When will I stop bleeding, and how long do side effects like swelling last? While these answers vary among patients, the specialists at Capital District Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons are here to help. Our team in Albany and Latham, NY, can answer your questions when you come in for an assessment at our clinic.

How long does it take to heal from oral surgery?

The answer depends on the kind of procedure you’re having done. During your dental consultation, we will discuss your surgery timeline in detail so you can understand what to anticipate for the first few days and weeks after surgery. On average, a tooth extraction procedure takes up to a week to fully recover. For dental implant surgery, it takes about 3 – 6 months for a dental implant to fully integrate with your jawbone. Patients may have a swollen mouth during this time.

What about bleeding and swelling?

Before any oral surgery, your surgeon will numb the treatment area to minimize pain and discomfort. You may bleed from the incision site for a few minutes during treatment. After that, slight bleeding can be controlled with gauze. A swollen mouth is another common side effect that can be managed with our help. Depending on the location and duration of your surgery, you may be prescribed medications to help with swelling and inflammation. A cool compress can also make you feel more comfortable.

Taking care of your teeth after oral surgery

After dental implants or wisdom tooth extraction, it's important to maintain good oral hygiene. Capital District Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons can provide detailed guidelines about cleaning your teeth and gums after oral surgery in Albany or Latham, NY. This includes brushing and flossing at least once per day with a soft toothbrush (which can be purchased at your local pharmacy). Avoid hard or sticky foods that may irritate the surgical site. It's also important to stop smoking because this can cause infection and health complications.

Look out for post-operative complications

It's normal for swelling to occur at the surgical sites following any type of oral surgery. It can take a few days or up to a month for swelling to subside. However, if your swelling worsens over time, or you experience any of these other concerning side effects, contact our office for an evaluation right away:

• Increased pain

• Discoloration

• Increase in swelling or inflammation

• Fever or other signs of infection

• Difficulty breathing due to swelling

Safe and successful oral surgery

The thought of any oral surgery is intimidating. You may experience some bleeding, a swollen mouth, and other side effects that make recovery uncomfortable. The great news is that any side effects usually go away on their own. If you have further questions or concerns about dental implants, wisdom tooth extraction, or other procedures in Albany or Latham, NY, call Capital District Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons for an evaluation today. Our caring team members can address all your concerns.

Following the wisdom tooth extraction aftercare instructions is important to ensure a healthy and speedy recovery. After a wisdom teeth removal, you should follow the guideline of your dentist to alleviate swelling, pain, and other related complications.

What to do right after a tooth extraction

• Place a gauze pad over the surgery area to minimize bleeding
• Take over-the-counter pain medication to soothe the pain and discomfort
• Minimize your activities for a day or two
• Apply a cold pack on the cheeks outside the wisdom teeth removal site to reduce swelling with a combo of 15 minutes on and off
• Stay away from alcohol, smoking as it can disturb the blood clot and make you prone to dry socket
• Sucking from a straw can also do the same so avoid it for the first 7-10 days

How To Stop Bleeding At Tooth Extraction Site?

One should expect slight bleeding on the tooth extraction site after you are done with the surgery. You can minimize the bleeding by placing a gauze pad and firmly biting on it for about half an hour.

Swelling after a tooth extraction

Swelling around the cheeks, gums, or the surrounding areas is common after a tooth extraction which will not be visible until a day has passed after the surgery.
For a simple tooth removal surgery, you can expect minor swelling, but if it’s a major surgery like the extraction of impacted wisdom teeth or more than one tooth, the swelling can be significant.

How Long Does Swelling Last After Wisdom Teeth Removal?

Swelling and pain after a wisdom tooth extraction will last for some time and get better within 2-3 days. In the meantime, follow the below instruction to make yourself comfortable.

Apply an ice pack
You can get rid of swelling after tooth extraction by applying an ice pack to the outside of the surgical site.

Elevate your head
Sit in an upright position and keep your head above the heart. When you plan to lay down or sleep, use extra pillows to keep your head elevated. This can help minimize the swelling.

Take pain medication
Take OTC pain relievers to get rid of swelling and discomfort.

Apply a warm compress
Applying a warm compress for 15 minutes and then wait for 15 minutes. Repeat. This can also help alleviate the swelling.

Saltwater rinse
Take a glass of salty warm water and rinse your mouth multiple times a day to get rid of harmful bacteria and minimize the swelling. But remember to avoid spitting as it can be bad for you.

Eat a soft food or liquid diet.
In terms of eating, only go with soft and easy to chew foods for the first few days. Going on a liquid or semi-liquid diet will work best for you. Gradually when the wisdom tooth extraction site begins to heal, and there’s no pain or swelling, you can return to your normal diet. Yogurts, scrambled eggs, and smoothies are some excellent options.

Contact Us

Here at Hermosa Dentistry, we have been providing excellent dental care to the patients living in and around Porter, Texas. For any questions regarding wisdom teeth removal or simple tooth extractions or to schedule an appointment, contact our office at (281) 747-7004.

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