One of the most common things people want to know after having their wisdom teeth removed is when they’ll feel better. According to the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, full recovery can take six weeks. But don’t panic yet. Most people consider themselves to be back to normal within a week. Here are some things you can typically expect in the week ahead.

Wisdom Teeth Removal Recovery: Day 1

While everyone’s experience will be different, in the first 24 hours it’s common to experience some soreness, swelling and mild bleeding. Plan on spending the remainder of the day at home relaxing. 

For the first 24 hours, you should:

• Apply ice: Ice or a cold pack wrapped in a towel against your jaw can help reduce swelling.
• Avoid brushing or flossing: Your surgeon will give you take-home instructions. But typically, you shouldn’t brush or floss for the first 24 to 48 hours.
• Bite down on the gauze: Mild bleeding is quite normal. Biting down on the gauze we placed around the site can help with clotting. It’s also important to replace the gauze if it becomes soppy.
• Eat soft foods: Stick to very soft foods like yogurt and applesauce. 
• Elevate your head: Keep your head above your heart to reduce bleeding.
• Rest: This is essential to the healing process.
• Take medications: Your surgeon will recommend an over the counter or prescription pain medicine to ease your discomfort. Please take it as instructed to ensure your optimal comfort—and that you get some rest.
  

Wisdom Teeth Removal Recovery: Day 2

Hopefully, you’ve cleared your calendar and can rest today, too, as you will likely continue to feel drowsy and experience some soreness and swelling as the anesthesia wears off.

To help with recovery:

• Continue to apply ice: For some people, swelling peaks on day two.
• Eat semi-solid foods: Think oatmeal, mashed potatoes, and scrambled eggs. 
• Gently rinse your mouth: Use salt water or antibacterial mouthwash.

By now, the bleeding should have stopped. If it hasn’t, contact your dentist. 

Wisdom Teeth Removal Recovery: Day 3

Recovery is different for everyone. But many report that day three is the most painful day of recovery. So, while some people can return to normal activities on day three; others may need more rest and continued TLC. Follow your dentist’s orders, listen to your body and contact your dentist if you’re experiencing significant pain, which can be a sign of dry socket. 

Wisdom Teeth Removal Recovery: Days 4-7

By now, you should have reduced pain and swelling—and more energy. Typically, it’s also OK to resume all normal activities. Continue to follow your take-home instructions and contact your dentist if you have any questions or if any symptoms worsen.

Experiencing Tooth Pain? 

Tooth pain can be a sign that it’s time to have your wisdom teeth removed. Contact us today to schedule a consult so we can determine the root of the problem. If wisdom teeth removal is right for you, our gracious and caring team at Purcell Family Dental will guide you every step of the way from early X-rays through recovery.

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If you’ve been curious about teeth whitening, you’ve likely wondered if an over the counter (OTC) kit will get the job done or if you should invest in a professional whitening kit. OTC versions, which can include strips, trays, pens, toothpaste, and rinses, are available at almost any retail store these days —and you don’t need to visit a dentist or have a prescription to buy them. Professional-grade teeth whitening kits, on the other hand, are custom-made for every person.  

Here, we share some of the differences between professional teeth whitening kits and OTC options, and their pros and cons. 

Professional Kits: Pros 

Popular reasons people choose professional teeth whitening kits over OTC versions include:

• Custom trays: Professional teeth whitening kits have custom-made trays that fit your mouth perfectly.
• Fast results: It can take weeks or months to see results from OTC kits. Professional whitening kits, on the other hand, can result in a brighter smile in just a couple of hours.
• Less sensitivity and irritation: OTC teeth whitening kits can use harsh chemicals that may irritate your teeth and gums, causing them to be more sensitive. With professional teeth whitening kits, your dentist can help you adjust the amount of bleaching agent you use to ensure less sensitivity.
• Long-lasting results: Many factors determine how long the results of professional teeth whitening can last but typically it’s about three years.
• More effective on different types of stains: Professional teeth whitening kits can have a powerful effect on discoloration and deep stains that OTC teeth whitening kits may have trouble correcting. 

Professional Teeth Whitening Kit: Cons

Some reasons people may choose an OTC whitening kit over a professional version include:

• Cost: Professional teeth whitening kits can be more expensive than OTC kits. However, it’s important to consider lifetime costs. OTC teeth whitening kits aren’t as long-lasting, so you may spend more money in the long run buying more kits.
• Convenience: Professional kits require a trip to the dentist while OTC teeth kits can be purchased at a store or ordered online any time. 

The Benefit of Partnering with a Professional

Teeth whitening isn’t an exact science. Different people have different needs, which is why so many types of whitening kits exist. Purchasing an OTC teeth whitening kit is a bit like playing the lottery: You can’t be sure your choice will have winning results.

Consulting with a dentist before beginning the teeth whitening process can help ensure the kit you’re using best suits your needs. You’ll also have an expert on hand to answer your questions throughout the process.

Interested in Professional Teeth Whitening?  

Making your smile brighter is one of our favorite things to do at Purcell Family Dental. Contact us today to schedule a consult so we can create the best custom teeth whitening experience possible.

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You’ve finished your orthodontic treatment, so your days of wearing braces and aligners are through. Congratulations! But that doesn’t mean there isn’t a little more work ahead since your retainers play an important role in keeping your teeth in place. Learn how to care for your retainers with expert advice from Purcell Family Dental.

Ways to Protect Your Retainers

Removable retainers are both fragile and small. And that makes them easy to lose. Just ask the teachers and students who sort through trash cans in school cafeterias every year. Retainers can also break when they’re dropped or stashed in unprotected places, like in the bottom of purses or backpacks.

By caring for your retainers with four simple tips and tricks, you can protect them from unneeded damage—and safeguard your perfect smile. 

1. Buy a Retainer Case (or Two) 

If one retainer case is helpful, owning several is even better so you can keep them in different places. You can order retainer cases in every size, shape and color from your dentist or buy them online. Hint: Picking a color that stands out can make yours easy to spot.

Storage isn’t the only reason to use a retainer case. Keeping your retainers in a case can also keep them from becoming brittle over time. Soaking your retainers in water before putting them in a case also protects against them drying out.

2. Be Mindful of Where You Put Your Retainers

You’ll take your retainers out several times each day. And if you put them in the wrong place, they could get lost or broken. Many people, for example, wrap their retainers in a napkin while eating. But a scrunched-up napkin can easily be mistaken for trash. 

Other places to avoid include:

• Your pocket, purse, or backpack 
• Anywhere a pet may find them (pets love to chew on retainers!)
• Anywhere they could melt (such as outside on a hot day, inside a car, or on the stove)

3. Clean Your Retainers Regularly

It’s important to prioritize clean retainers. Different retainers require different types of cleaning, so follow your dentist’s instructions.

The following methods can also help you keep things clean:

• Brush your retainers with antibacterial soap and rinse them well
• Brush your retainers with toothpaste if your dentist says it’s okay
• Use an effervescent cleanser
• If your retainers become stained or yellow, you can try to remove the stain by gently brushing your trays with a mixture of baking soda and water. Some people also use white vinegar or a 50/50 blend of water and hydrogen peroxide.

4. Don’t Hesitate to Get New Retainers When You Need Them

Retainers last a long time, but they do wear out. Contact your dentist if your retainers no longer fit properly or are broken. Remember, you’re in the home stretch: You’ve likely spent a couple of years in orthodontic treatment to get where you are today—and well-fitted retainers preserve your hard work. 

Wondering Where to Get Retainers? 

You should contact your dentist right away if your retainers change shape, deteriorate, or get lost. Without properly fitted retainers, your teeth will eventually shift.

At Purcell Family Dental, we know retainers are an important part of preserving a beautiful and healthy smile for years to come. We can help you get new retainers or replace lost or broken ones. Contact us today.

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