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Although a patient only gets his wisdom teeth removed once, the board-certified oral surgeons at Oral Surgery Associates in Anchorage, Alaska, have removed thousands of wisdom teeth. Because teeth extraction is a serious surgery, the oral surgeons at Oral Surgery Associates have some tips for making sure recovery and postoperative care after wisdom teeth removal surgery goes smoothly.

wisdom teeth removal

Here is what to expect after wisdom teeth are removed:

  • Slight bleeding is to be expected. The oral surgeons will place gauze pads over the surgical areas. Keep them in place for half an hour, and then remove and discard. If bleeding continues, very gently rinse the mouth, then replace with a clean gauze pad for another 30 minutes. Vigorous mouth rinsing might make the bleeding worse.
  • Swelling is normal, even around the cheeks, eyes and side of the face. Minimize by immediately placing ice packs to the sides of the face where the teeth extraction occurred. Use ice packs while awake for 36 hours following the surgery. Then use moist heat to reduce swelling and any discoloration that might occur.
  • There will be discomfort, so take the prescribed pain medications as directed. However, they make patients groggy. Don’t drive, and avoid alcoholic beverages. Restrict activities the day of the surgery, if not longer.
  • Drink more water. But don’t use a straw; drink from a glass. Continue to eat soft foods, and increase fluid intake. Try things such as milkshakes, fruit smoothies, mashed potatoes, and oatmeal.

If any other complications following teeth extraction occur, or you have any questions, notify the oral surgeons. Every wisdom teeth removal surgery is different, but the oral surgeons at Oral Surgery Associates have seen it all.

When it’s time to schedule wisdom teeth removal or teeth extraction, visit the oral surgeons at Oral Surgery Associates in Anchorage, Alaska. Visit the practice's website, or call (907) 561-1430 for more information. 

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