If you’ve recently had your wisdom teeth removed, you might be wondering how long it will take for the empty hole in your mouth to close up and fully heal. If you’re wondering how long this process will take, here are some tips to help you close up that healing wisdom tooth hole faster!
What are wisdom teeth?
Wisdom teeth are one of many sets of molars in our mouths, although they\'re often called third molars. They typically erupt between ages 17 and 25, although they can appear as early as age 10 or as late as age 30. On average, wisdom teeth will come in handy around age 30; by that time we\'ve usually mastered chewing without them. While some people don\'t have any trouble with their wisdom teeth, others experience pain from impacted wisdom teeth (teeth that don\'t fully emerge) or even infection. In rare cases, impacted wisdom teeth need to be removed because they\'re putting pressure on other teeth and causing damage. The good news is there\'s an easy way to prevent future problems: regular dental checkups and cleanings! If you have your wisdom teeth removed before problems arise, you\'ll never have to worry about closing up a hole left behind after removal. If you already have a problem with your wisdom tooth—or if it has already been removed—it\'s still possible for it to close up naturally over time.
Why do people get them removed anyway?
Removing wisdom teeth isn’t all that uncommon. There are two main reasons for removal: If there’s not enough room in your mouth for it to erupt properly or if they’re impacted, meaning they don’t have enough room in your jawbone to go through proper growth. If you think your wisdom teeth need to be removed, you should visit your dentist and have them checked out. Once their condition is assessed, your dentist can perform any necessary extractions—or if there\'s still time, suggest ways of managing things so that you can avoid having them removed altogether. In general, though, it takes about six months for an empty tooth socket to close up after a tooth has been removed.
What are the ways of removing them?
There are two ways of removing them: extracting and leaving them. The decision as to which way should be done is left entirely up to you, based on how severe it is and your own dental condition. However, because wisdom teeth tend to come in at an angle, they may cause problems with neighboring teeth later on down the road; that’s why most dentists recommend removing them. That doesn’t mean you have to remove all of your wisdom teeth—but if it seems like there’s even a chance that they might be problematic down the line, it might be wise (and cheaper) in long-term savings to get rid of them while you can still easily do so. To be safe, schedule an appointment with your dentist right away!
The importance of chewing after surgery
The goal of surgery is to relieve pressure and reduce inflammation in order for your body to begin healing. Chewing after wisdom tooth removal can be very painful, which is why we often recommend people avoid chewing on that side during recovery. But how long should you avoid chewing altogether? Let’s break it down.
When can I resume normal activities again?
With any kind of surgery, you\'ll want to ask your dentist how long it will take for you to resume normal activities. But in terms of wisdom teeth removal, most patients can go back within three or four days. When going back, use caution—your mouth might be sore and eating hard foods might hurt more than usual. In addition, avoid using your jaw muscles excessively; it\'s also important not to stick anything too far into your mouth for at least a week after wisdom teeth extraction (such as Q-tips or dental floss). Check with your dentist if you have any other questions about what\'s OK and what isn\'t OK after having an impacted tooth removed.
How long does it take for my healing process to begin, and how long will it last?
The healing process begins almost immediately after your wisdom teeth have been removed. During that time, you will experience swelling and discomfort. The length of your recovery will depend on how many teeth are removed and whether there are complications during surgery. The full recovery period can take anywhere from two weeks to several months, depending on all of these factors. As long as you follow your dentist’s instructions for taking care of yourself during that time—and don’t pick at or play with your healing gums—your mouth should be fine in a few weeks. But if you notice anything unusual or uncomfortable, schedule an appointment with your dentist right away.
Where can I get an X-ray done if I am still in pain after two weeks?
If you’re still in pain two weeks after getting your wisdom teeth out, it’s time to start thinking about getting an X-ray. The best place to get an X-ray is at your dentist’s office. Your dentist can take an X-ray of your jaw and any remaining pieces of tooth that may be causing you discomfort. The purpose of an X-ray is simply to confirm what you already know:
Conclusion/Additional Resources
There are times when you want an immediate result from fixing or removing something in your mouth, like pulling out that wisdom tooth that’s been bothering you for weeks. But those quick fixes can come with longer-term issues, especially if it’s your first time having oral surgery. The best thing to do is see your dentist. He or she will remove your wisdom teeth (or fill in those holes left by missing teeth) and then monitor what’s going on in there—likely for months after. (Source: American Dental Association)