Wisdom teeth removal is a common dental care procedure in which the third set of molars are surgically extracted from the mouth to prevent painful impaction and infection. While removing these teeth is often essential to preserving oral health, recovery from the procedure does take time. To ensure your extraction is successful, here are a few do’s and don’ts of wisdom teeth removal aftercare.

Do:

Control bleeding.

After the procedure, it may take up to eight hours for clots to form within the surgical area. To promote clotting and avoid ingesting blood, keep gauze over the affected area. For cleanliness and comfort, change the gauze every 30 minutes during the first few hours of recovery.

Rinse regularly.

Keeping your mouth clean will prevent infection and promote proper healing. The best way to clean the surgical site is to rinse gently with a warm salt water solution. Tilt your head from side to side to move the solution around, then open your mouth over the sink to let the water fall out without force. Continue rinsing several times a day, especially after you’ve eaten.

Apply ice.

Applying a cold pack to the cheek will help reduce blood flow to minimize swelling and pain. During the first few days, apply an ice or cold pack intermittently for no longer than 20 minutes at a time.

Don’t:

Irritate the surgical site.

Swift, forceful, or abrupt movements in the mouth can irritate sutures and dislodge clots—a condition known as a “dry socket.” When you have a dry socket, sensitive bones and nerves are left exposed, causing severe pain. To prevent dry sockets, avoid any activities that may remove the clot, such as smoking, eating hard or sticky foods, spitting, or sucking on straws.

Mismanage medications.

Even if you feel like you’re recovering swiftly, continue following your dentist’s prescription medication instructions. If you forget to take a pain reliever, for instance, the previous medication may wear off and cause sudden discomfort. Skipping antibiotics, on the other hand, may increase your risk of infection where the wisdom teeth used to be.

Ignore dry sockets.

If you believe you have a dry socket or if pain worsens over time, call your dental office. With quick treatment, your dentist can protect the site and minimize pain.

When wisdom teeth pose a risk to your oral health, turn to the caring specialists at Zen Dental Hawaii on Oahu. Backed by state-of-the-art resources and experienced professionals, this locally owned Honolulu dentist office makes the tooth extraction process as stress-free and comfortable as possible. To learn more about the general and cosmetic dentistry services this practice offers, visit their website. To make an appointment, call (808) 532-5888.