When it comes to long-term dental health, surgically removing your wisdom teeth is often necessary to prevent problems from occurring down the road. To gain the benefits of wisdom teeth extraction, you must also make sure to follow your dentist’s aftercare instructions so that your mouth can heal without complication. If you’re planning to have this common oral surgery, here are a few important do’s and don’ts to follow after having your wisdom teeth taken out.    

Do:

Take time to rest.

As with any other surgery, wisdom teeth extraction will take a toll on your body and require you to rest. After your procedure, have a designated driver bring you home where you can sleep and recover in peace. Take a few days off work or school to ensure you aren’t distracted during the healing process.

Follow medication instructions.

Before the surgery, be sure to fill any prescriptions that your dentist provided. After the surgery, follow all medication instructions. For example, antibiotics should be taken as directed to reduce the risk of infection. Prescription pain medication, on the other hand, can prevent severe discomfort and ease swelling.  

Keep the surgical site clean.

In the first few hours after the procedure, gently apply a clean gauze pad to control bleeding around the surgical site. Once the blood has clotted, use a warm saltwater solution to clean the area and prevent infection. Don’t brush or floss, as this may dislodge the blood clot and cause a painful dry socket.

Don’t:

Eat irritating foods.

Biting and chewing in the first few days after the procedure can disturb or injure the surgical site—and sometimes cause a dry socket. To prevent problems, avoid any foods that are hard, chewy, or sticky and instead opt for items that are soft and easy-to-swallow—such as yogurt, soup, or applesauce.

Smoke or use straws.

Puffing on a cigarette or sucking on a straw creates suction in the mouth that can cause the blood clot to fall out of the surgical site. To prevent dry sockets, its best to avoid these activities until the site has fully healed.

Ignore complications.

After your wisdom teeth extraction, you should expect to feel some pain and discomfort. However, if the pain becomes unbearable or gets progressively worse, you may be experiencing complications. Persistent bleeding or tissue infections are other warning signs you shouldn’t ignore. If you notice these issues, call your dentist for responsive care.  

 

 

Offering care for patients of all ages, BridgeView Dental Group of Kodiak, AK, knows how to pinpoint problematic wisdom teeth and perform teeth extractions to keep mouths healthy. With a strong commitment to patient care, this practice will guide you through every step of the surgery so you know exactly what to expect. They’ll also offer detailed instructions to ensure your recovery is as comfortable as possible. To learn more about what this local dentist can do, visit the clinic online. For appointments or emergency dentistry requests, call (907) 486-3257.