How can I take care of myself after I have my wisdom teeth removed?
Taking good care of your mouth after getting your wisdom teeth removed is so important. You can heal faster and avoid painful complications by following some simple guidelines.
What should I do?–Bite down hard on the gauze pads for about two hours after getting home from your wisdom tooth surgery or until the bleeding has completely stopped. –Apply ice to your face to reduce swelling. –Take any medications as prescribed by your oral surgeon. – Eat soft foods like yogurt, applesauce, soup, pudding, oatmeal, shakes, mashed potatoes, and ice cream. – Rinse areas gently with fresh water after meals. This will help you to avoid infection caused by food stuck in the incision and bacteria. –Rest up! Get extra sleep and take it easy. |
What should I NOT do?– Do not rinse the areas too vigorously: This could lose the stitches from the incisions leading to a dry socket and a slower healing process. –Do not participate in any strenuous activities like dancing, running, hiking, etc. –Do not drink alcoholic beverages or smoke: Alcohol kills good bacteria in our mouths and leaves the bad. –Do not touch the incision site because the bacteria on our hands could cause infection. –Avoid drinking from straws or blowing your nose too hard for 2 weeks after your surgery: these can dislodge the blood clot from the socket causing bleeding and dry socket! |
What is Dry Socket?
Dry socket is a painful dental condition that can occur after an adult tooth is extracted. This happens when the blood clot formed after a tooth extraction is dislodged or dissolves, exposing the bone and nerves underneath. This can cause great pain.
It can be avoided by taking good care of your sockets and following all your dentists’ instructions until you have fully healed.
If this happens after your surgery you can be prescribed pain medications until the incision heals. You should flush out the spot where your teeth were removed with saline and water and should keep gauze over the site, always following your dentist’s instructions.
If you’re looking for wisdom tooth removal in Washington DC, Virginia or Maryland, then Just Wisdom Teeth can help you! Call us at (301) 719-5890 or fill out our contact form to find out more.