As your child gets older, he or she may develop a third set of molars (called wisdom teeth). Because wisdom teeth can cause complications like pain and infection, a dentist may recommend that they be removed.

As your child recovers from his or her wisdom teeth removal, slight pain or discomfort is normal. Read on to learn about wisdom teeth removal and what to expect as your child recovers.

Wisdom Teeth Removal: Timeline of Recovery

To remove a wisdom tooth, your child's dentist will open up the gum tissue over the tooth and take out any bone that is covering the tooth. He or she will separate the tissue connecting the tooth to the bone and then remove the tooth.

The actual procedure: Removing impacted wisdom teeth will take no more than two hours. Your dentist or oral surgeon will use general or local anesthesia, depending on the condition of your teeth.

A few hours after procedure: The anesthesia will wear off and swelling and discomfort will begin. A dentist will likely prescribe a painkiller to minimize pain. Ice can be used to reduce swelling.

24 hours after procedure: Bleeding from the extraction site will subside, and a blood clot will form to fill the empty space where the tooth used to be. During recovery, it is recommended that only soft foods be eaten. Soda and hot beverages should be avoided. After 24 hours, it is fine to gently brush teeth.

Three days after procedure: As swelling and bruising improve, solid foods can be eaten. In most cases, prescription medications should be replaced with over-the-counter pain medications during this phase of recovery.

One to two weeks after procedure: Stitches will dissolve and tooth sockets will form new tissues and heal. 

Three to four weeks after procedure: Soft tissue healing should be complete, and normal eating and brushing can occur without trauma or significant bleeding.

When to Call a Dentist

The following signs and symptoms require a call to your dentist or oral surgeon: 

• Swelling gets worse after two or three days
• Pus oozes from the extracted tooth socket
• Blood is present in nasal discharge
• Severe pain is not relieved by pain medication
• Numbness or loss of feeling is persistent

In most cases, wisdom teeth removal is a simple outpatient treatment, and the major healing process will take approximately two weeks. If you have any questions about wisdom teeth removal, the friendly staff at Kool Smiles is happy to help you find the answers you need.

Call Kool Smiles Today

If your child is experiencing wisdom teeth recovery pain, call your local Kool Smiles for treatment.

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Sources: 

WebMD: http://www.webmd.com/oral-health/guide/dry-socket-symptoms-and-treatment

Live Strong: http://www.livestrong.com/article/pain-relief-for-wisdom-teeth-removal/