Welcome! I am Dr. Edmond Ahdoot, and I am thrilled to help guide you through a significant milestone in your dental health journey. If you or your child are preparing for oral surgery, you likely have a lot of questions. Living in our beautiful community, I often see patients asking about Wisdom Teeth Removal in Woodland Hills. It is one of the most common procedures I perform, and I want to assure you that with the right preparation, recovery can be smooth and manageable.
There is a lot of information out there, and sometimes it can feel overwhelming. My goal with this guide is to break down the recovery process into easy steps. I want you to feel confident and prepared. We will cover everything from what happens immediately after you leave the chair to the best foods to eat while you heal. Let’s dive into what you need to know to get back to your daily routine in Woodland Hills as quickly as possible.
Understanding Why We Remove Wisdom Teeth
Before we talk about recovery, it is helpful to understand why we do this in the first place. Wisdom teeth, or third molars, usually appear between the ages of 17 and 25. For many people, there simply isn’t enough room in the jaw for these teeth to come in properly. This can lead to them becoming “impacted,” meaning they are stuck beneath the gum or bone.
According to the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, an estimated 85% of third molars will eventually need to be removed due to impaction or crowding issues. This is a significant number, showing just how routine this procedure is. When these teeth are left alone, they can cause infection, damage to neighboring teeth, and even cysts. By choosing Wisdom Teeth Removal, you are taking a proactive step toward a healthier smile and preventing future pain.
The First Hour: Leaving the Office
Once the procedure is finished, you will rest in our recovery room until you are ready to be driven home. Because we often use sedation to ensure you are comfortable, you will feel groggy. It is strictly required that you have a friend or family member drive you home. You should not operate a vehicle or make important decisions for at least 24 hours.
Immediately after the extraction, I will place gauze pads over the surgical areas. I will ask you to bite down gently but firmly on these pads. This pressure is crucial because it helps stop the bleeding and encourages a blood clot to form. That blood clot is nature’s band-aid; it covers the bone and nerve endings in the empty tooth socket, setting the stage for healing.
The First 24 Hours: The Critical Window
The first day is the most important part of your recovery. What you do—and what you don’t do—during these first 24 hours can significantly impact how fast you heal. When you get home, your primary job is to rest. Set up a comfortable spot on the couch or in bed with plenty of pillows so you can keep your head elevated. Keeping your head above your heart helps reduce swelling and bleeding.
Managing Bleeding
You might notice some oozing of blood for the first few hours. This is normal. Change the gauze pads every 30 to 45 minutes, or as needed, until the bleeding stops. If bleeding persists, I often recommend biting on a moistened black tea bag. The tannic acid in the tea helps contract blood vessels and form a clot.
Handling Swelling and Pain
Swelling is a natural response to surgery. To minimize this, use an ice pack on the outside of your cheek near the extraction site. I recommend a schedule of 20 minutes on, then 20 minutes off. Do this as much as possible for the first 24 hours. While ice helps with inflammation, it also acts as a numbing agent, which helps with comfort.
Regarding pain medication, I will provide you with a specific plan. If I have prescribed medication, take it exactly as directed. Many patients find that over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen are sufficient, but we will discuss what is best for your specific case. It is always easier to prevent pain than to chase it, so take your medication before the local anesthesia wears off completely.
Dietary Guide: What to Eat (and What to Avoid)
One of the most common questions I get regarding Wisdom Teeth Removal in Woodland Hills is about food. Proper nutrition is essential for healing, but you have to be gentle with your mouth. For the first few days, you will be on a liquid and soft food diet.
The “Yes” List
Think soft, cool, and creamy. Here are some excellent options to keep your energy up:
- Applesauce: Easy to eat and contains vitamins.
- Yogurt: Avoid varieties with chunks of fruit or granola.
- Smoothies: Blend fruits and veggies for nutrition, but use a spoon!
- Mashed Potatoes: A comfort food staple that fills you up.
- Broth and Blended Soups: Ensure they are lukewarm, not hot.
- Scrambled Eggs: Soft and packed with protein to aid tissue repair.
- Ice Cream: The treat you deserve! Avoid cones or flavors with nuts and crunchy bits.
The “No” List
Knowing what to avoid is just as important as knowing what to eat. Avoiding these items will prevent pain and complications:
- Straws: I cannot stress this enough. Do not use a straw for at least one week. The suction action can dislodge the blood clot, leading to a painful condition called dry socket.
- Spicy Foods: These can irritate the wound and cause stinging.
- Acidic Foods: Citrus juices and tomato-based sauces might cause discomfort.
- Crunchy or Hard Foods: Chips, nuts, and popcorn can get stuck in the socket and cause infection.
- Hot Foods: High temperatures can increase blood flow to the area and restart bleeding.
Oral Hygiene During Recovery
Keeping your mouth clean is vital to prevent infection, but you must be gentle. On the evening of your surgery, you can brush your teeth, but be very careful to avoid the surgical sites. Do not rinse your mouth vigorously on the first day.
Starting the day after surgery (Day 2), you should begin using a warm salt water rinse. Mix about half a teaspoon of salt into a cup of warm water. Gently move the water around your mouth and let it drool out into the sink—do not spit forcefully. Spitting creates suction, which we want to avoid. Repeat this after every meal and before bed. This simple habit keeps food particles away from the wound and soothes gum tissue.
The Timeline: Days 2 through 7
Recovery is a process, and every patient heals at their own pace. However, here is a general timeline of what you can expect after Wisdom Teeth Removal.
Days 2 and 3
You might notice that swelling peaks on the second or third day. This is normal. You may also see some mild bruising on your cheek or jawline. Continue with the soft diet and keep up with your oral hygiene. If you feel up to it, you can engage in light activities, but avoid heavy lifting or intense exercise at the gym. Raising your heart rate too much can cause the extraction site to throb or bleed.
Days 4 through 7
By day four, most patients feel significantly better. The swelling should start to go down, and you can begin to transition to slightly more solid foods, like pasta or soft chicken. You should be able to open your mouth more comfortably. Stiffness in the jaw is common; using a warm compress (heating pad) on the outside of the jaw can help relax the muscles and reduce stiffness.
Most of my patients in Woodland Hills feel ready to return to school or work by day three or four, provided their job does not require heavy physical labor.
Preventing Complications: The Dry Socket
I mentioned “dry socket” earlier, and I want to explain it further so you can avoid it. Dry socket (alveolar osteitis) happens when the blood clot at the extraction site fails to develop, or it dislodges or dissolves before the wound has healed. This exposes the underlying bone and nerves.
While this sounds scary, it is relatively rare. Data indicates that dry socket occurs in only about 2% to 5% of all tooth extractions. However, the pain can be intense, often radiating to the ear. The best way to prevent this is by following the post-operative instructions strictly: no smoking, no straws, and no vigorous spitting. If you do experience severe pain that medication does not help, call my office immediately. We can place a medicated dressing in the socket that provides almost instant relief.
For more detailed information on oral surgery recovery and complications, you can read this resource from the Mayo Clinic regarding wisdom tooth extraction.
Why Choose a Local Woodland Hills Expert?
When you are looking for Wisdom Teeth Removal, choosing a local provider in Woodland Hills offers several benefits. First, proximity matters. After surgery, the last thing you want is a long car ride in heavy Los Angeles traffic. Being close to home means you get into your comfortable bed faster.
Furthermore, follow-up care is easier. If you have any concerns during your recovery—whether it is a question about a prescription or a check-up on healing—I am right here in the neighborhood. We pride ourselves on being accessible to our community. I treat my patients like neighbors because, often, they are.
Long-Term Healing
While the initial healing happens in the first week, complete bone healing takes several months. However, you won’t feel this process. After about two weeks, the gum tissue will have healed over the socket enough that you won’t have to worry about food getting stuck as much. You can return to your normal diet and exercise routine once you feel comfortable, usually after 7 to 10 days.
I advise patients to continue keeping the area clean. You may be given a plastic irrigation syringe to gently flush out the lower sockets with water. This ensures that no food debris remains trapped while the gums close up completely.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will I be asleep during the procedure?
Most patients prefer some form of sedation. We offer various options ranging from local anesthesia (numbing only) to IV sedation (twilight sleep). During your consultation, we will discuss what makes you feel most comfortable. With IV sedation, you will likely nap through the procedure and wake up with it already done.
Does it hurt?
During the actual Wisdom Teeth Removal, you will not feel pain because you will be fully numbed. The discomfort comes during the recovery phase as the anesthesia wears off. However, with the pain management plan I provide, most patients find the recovery very manageable.
Can I keep my wisdom teeth?
If your wisdom teeth are healthy, fully erupted (grown in), positioned correctly, and can be cleaned properly, they may not need to be removed. However, this is the exception rather than the rule. Regular X-rays allow me to monitor their growth and recommend removal before they cause damage.
Your Smile is Worth It
Undergoing oral surgery is a commitment to your long-term health. By removing impacted or problematic wisdom teeth now, you are preventing infection, crowding, and damage to your other molars. It is an investment in a pain-free future.
I hope this guide has helped alleviate some of your anxiety regarding the process. Recovery does require a few days of downtime, but it is a great excuse to catch up on your favorite movies and enjoy some ice cream. Remember, I am here to support you every step of the way.
If you suspect you or your child needs Wisdom Teeth Removal in Woodland Hills, or if you are experiencing jaw pain, please do not hesitate to reach out to my office. Let’s schedule a consultation to take a look at your unique situation. We will create a personalized plan to ensure your procedure and recovery are as smooth and comfortable as possible. Your healthy smile is my top priority.