Wisdom tooth removal is a common dental procedure usually performed without complications. But as with any surgery, there’s always the risk of infection or other complications. That is why it is essential to follow your dentist or oral surgeon’s instructions carefully to ensure a successful and complication-free surgery.
Here are some general dos and don’ts to keep in mind after wisdom tooth removal:
DOs
1. Keep Your Mouth Clean
After you have surgery, it is okay to brush your teeth that night. However, you should wait until the next day to rinse your mouth. Then, use a cup of warm water mixed with a teaspoon of salt to rinse your mouth five to six times a day. This is especially important after meals.
2. Get Lots of Rest
You should not do any physical activity for the first 24 hours after removing your wisdom teeth. You should sleep with your head elevated on some pillows and avoid sleeping on the side of your mouth where the extraction occurred.
3. Take Prescribed Medications
The main thing is to control the pain and ensure you are comfortable. Also, if you have been prescribed antibiotics, take them as directed.
4. Do Your Usual Oral Hygiene
After the first 24 hours following wisdom tooth surgery, you can return to your normal brushing and flossing routine. Just be sure to avoid the surgical area. You can also resume wearing your orthodontic retainer if you have one. If the retainer causes discomfort, you can wait up to a week to begin using it again.
5. Use a Tea Bag
Tea can help to reduce bleeding by constricting blood vessels. Apply a wet tea bag to the affected area and bite down for 20-30 minutes.
6. Watch Your Diet
After you have surgery on your wisdom teeth, you will likely have some swelling and pain. To help with this, it is recommended that you eat soft and cold foods at first, like ice cream, smoothies, pudding, and yogurt. You can slowly change to semi-solids and then to solids after the first few days.
DON’Ts
1. Do Not Smoke or Drink Alcohol
You should not smoke or drink alcohol for at least two days after your surgery, preferably not for the first week. This will help your body heal properly.
2. Do Not Use a Straw
You should not disturb the blood clot that has formed in the socket, or you could develop a condition called dry socket. Avoid rinsing your mouth too vigorously, sucking on a straw, or drinking carbonated beverages for the first 24 hours.
3. Do Not Eat Hard Foods
After an extraction, it’s best to avoid eating hard or crunchy foods as they can wound sensitive tissues. Give yourself at least a week to recover before adding these types of foods back into your diet.
4. Do Not Blow Your Nose
You should not blow your nose for the first 14 days after surgery. Instead, you should gently wipe your nose.
Conclusion
It is important to take care of your mouth after wisdom tooth removal. This includes brushing your teeth, flossing, and using mouthwash. You should also avoid smoking and drinking alcohol. If you have any questions, ask your dentist or oral surgeon.
At Chestnut Hill Dental, we offer all aspects of dental care in a multidisciplinary approach, from the simplest option to the most complicated scenario. We are dedicated to quality and precision, so our digital office uses continuously updated protocols. Our dental office offers a wide range of procedures under one roof: dental implants, cosmetic dentistry, crowns, periodontal care, laser gum therapy, root canal treatment, Invisalign, bridges, wisdom teeth extractions and so much more. If you need tooth extraction service in Boston, we can help! Get in touch with us today to set an appointment!
