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Care After Wisdom Teeth Removal


WE ARE OFTEN ASKED questions about wisdom tooth extraction and how to best care for your teeth and mouth after surgery. As your trusted dental practice, we’re here to calm your fears and address your concerns!

Steps To Take To Promote Healing


There are several reasons why people may need to get their wisdom teeth removed. Here are some things you can do after the procedure to facilitate healing:
  • Rest: Rest for the remainder of the day after surgery and as needed after that. Avoid strenuous activity for at least a week.
  • Eat soft foods: For the first 24 hours, eat only soft foods such as yogurt, ice cream, or applesauce. Broth-based soups without many chunks are good to eat 1 to 2 days after the procedure. Avoid spicy, chewy or hard foods for 1 to 2 weeks.
  • Drink water: Drink plenty of water and avoid alcoholic, caffeinated, and hot beverages in the first 24 to 48 hours.
You will most likely experience one or more of the following symptoms: minor pain, swelling, bruising, and limitation in opening or closing your mouth, pain in jaw or ear, sore throat. It is important to listen to your body and take it easy. No heavy lifting, spitting, sucking through a straw, alcohol or smoking after the procedure.


Oral Hygiene


Brush gently. A gentle, lukewarm salt water rinse can be used to freshen your mouth. But again, do not spit; just let the fluid passively empty. The corners of your mouth may become cracked and dry so make sure to moisturize frequently.

Swelling


If you experience swelling, apply cold compresses to affected area for ten minute intervals for the first 24 hours to minimize swelling. Any swelling that occurs usually begins to diminish within 72 hours; call the office if there is no change after 72 hours.

Bleeding


Some oozing of blood is normal for the first 12-24 hours. Put a hand towel on your pillow as some drooling can occur when you are numb. If you experience excessive bleeding, apply firm pressure with 1-2 folded gauze pads or a damp tea bag on the affected area for 30-60 minutes and keep your head elevated. Call the office if bleeding does not subside.

Prevent Dry Socket


After wisdom teeth removal, preventing dry socket is important. When a tooth is extracted, a blood clot forms to protect the bones and nerves underneath. Dry socket occurs when the blood clot is dislodged, exposing the bone and nerves. This condition can be avoided if the proper precautions are taken after tooth extraction.



We're Here For You


Our job is to make the healing process easy and comfortable for you. Call us or set up an appointment if you have any questions about wisdom teeth removal or would like to discuss your options! We are here for YOU.

If you experience anything not addressed in this blog post, have questions or any post-surgical problems, please call the office as soon as possible.



We love our patients!