Wisdom teeth removal is arguably the most common dental surgery procedure. The reason is that wisdom teeth can cause oral issues such as teeth overcrowding, jawbone cysts, and possible infections. Although wisdom teeth grow normally for some people, it is not the case for the majority. The good thing is that the removal of wisdom teeth is a minor procedure and recovery lasts about two weeks. However, recovery is dependent upon post-surgery care. This article highlights tips for speeding up recovery after the removal of wisdom teeth.

Warm Salty Water Rinse

Wisdom teeth removal is a minor surgery, which leaves behind an open wound. Although dentists close the wound with stitches, it is still susceptible to infections. This is because food particles might find their way into the wound, creating a conducive environment for the growth of pathogens. Since brushing a surgical wound is painful and might undo the stitches, the best way to keep infections at bay is regular the rinsing of the wound with warm salty water. It rids the mouth of any food remnants that might accumulate around the wound. Besides, the saltwater solution makes it difficult for bacteria pores to breed inside the mouth. Additionally, the solution increases blood flow to a wound, hastening the healing process.

Use Painkillers

Before wisdom teeth removal, a dentist numbs the gums so that you do not feel pain during the procedure. However, as the anesthetic begins to wear off post-surgery, you will start to feel some pain. It causes discomfort and might prompt you to poke the wound with your tongue or fingers. However, doing so might introduce bacteria and all sorts of germs to the wound, causing infections. You can best prevent the issue by using painkillers prescribed by a dentist. Painkillers help you to cope with pain and allow the wound to heal without any complications.

Post-Surgery Checkup

Dentists usually book patients for a post-surgery checkup to assess how well a wound is healing. Unfortunately, most people tend to skip the appointment if they feel that the wound has closed. However, the self-diagnosis does more harm than good because you might not know what is happening beneath the gum. Only a dentist can establish how well the wound has healed; therefore, you should not skip the post-surgery checkup. Other than using the opportunity to remove the remaining stitches, a dentist will also examine the wound's progress and signs of possible infections. The professional will also recommend corrective measures if there is a problem with your recovery.

For more information about wisdom teeth removal, talk to a dentist.