Wisdom Teeth Removal After Recovery Tips from Morris Family Dentistry Show
Everyone responds a little differently to oral surgery. Using these tips can make a better recovery for everyone. BleedingDon’t panic about bleeding. When blood mixes with saliva it may seem like more blood than is actually present. You may have some bleeding for an hour to 24 hours after wisdom teeth removal. You’ll be sent home with extra gauze. Fold this gauze into a ball and bite on it to apply pressure to the surgery site. Take advantage of the time you’re still numb to bite with pressure. Good pressure will stop bleeding in less than an hour. It’s not unusual to have slight bleeding or oozing for up to 24 hours. If this happens, apply fresh gauze and bite with pressure. If I could go back in time to when I had my wisdom teeth out, knowing then what I know now, I would do better applying biting pressure to the areas. Good pressure has many benefits: the gums attach to the boney socket, the blood clot has a higher density, and swelling in the gums is minimized. SwellingSwelling in the healing process increases for two days and then decreases for two days. Limit swelling by applying ice packs in the first two days, and warm compresses starting on the third day. Taking 800mg of ibuprofen three times a day will also limit swelling. Ice packs can be applied 15 minutes on and 15 minutes off. The cold limits swelling by decreasing circulation. This is like slowing the number of cars that can enter a traffic jam. By the third day, it is better to switch to warm compresses to increase circulation. The traffic jam has already happened and we need to get the cars out of the area. Use a heating pad or a damp washcloth heated in the microwave for about 15 seconds. Apply the warm compresses to the cheeks. PainUse the prescription medication as directed. Take the first dose soon after your procedure while the mouth is still numb. Start with ibuprofen. If you need more pain relief, combine the ibuprofen with a different medication like a narcotic or Tylenol. It is better to combine two different pain medications than to take too much of a single medication. To learn more about which medicines work best, reference another one of our blogs. Brushing and RinsesBe gentle when you brush in the area from which the wisdom teeth were removed. You should still brush all the teeth. Keeping your mouth clean and healthy will aid healing. If food collects in the socket, use a toothbrush to gently dig it out. Do not use rinses the first 72 hours after wisdom teeth removal. Rinses may be used the third day to bathe the area, but do not rinse vigorously as this may cause a dry socket. Saltwater rinses are more mild than alcohol-based mouthwashes. ActivityOn the day of your procedure, expect to take the day off from work, school, and other activities. Many people feel well enough to return to work and normal activities the next day, though some people benefit from a second day off. Do not exercise for 72 hours after your procedure. What can I eat after wisdom teeth removal? What are good wisdom teeth recovery foods?Most people are comfortable with a soft-food diet after wisdom teeth removal. I recommend cooked vegetables, fish, fruit, protein drinks, scrambled eggs, and plenty of water. Avoid junk food or sugar. If you get good nutrition, your body has an amazing ability to heal quickly with a minimum of pain. Extra Vitamin C will also speed the healing of the gum tissue. Do not do a liquid-only diet. This makes it unlikely you’ll get full nutrition, and the motion of chewing even a soft diet will help keep the jaw more loose and comfortable during recovery. If you have any questions or concerns, don’t hesitate to call. We’re here to help you. General InstructionsAfter extraction of teeth, a blood clot forms in the remaining socket. To prevent post-operative inflammation and infection, it is important to keep this blood clot in place. For the first 48 hours after extraction:
BleedingAfter tooth removal, it is normal to ooze blood from the tooth socket for approximately 24 hours. To minimize bleeding, do the following:
SwellingIt is normal to swell after tooth removal. The swelling is greatest 2-3 days after surgery, and may remain for an additional 3 days before it starts to resolve.
Postoperative discomfortAfter removal of teeth, it is normal to experience some amount of discomfort when the anesthesia wears off. Taking prescribed medication as directed should control discomfort, but may not eliminate it.
InfectionAfter surgical procedures, there is always a chance that infection might develop. This does not happen in most cases. A prescription may be written for you after a procedure that has a higher incidence of post-operative infection.
SuturesDepending on the extent of the procedures, sutures (stitches) may be placed in order to help wound healing. If you have sutures, the doctor will inform you of this after the procedure.
Other InstructionsIf you have had IV sedation or general anesthesia for your procedure, you should rest at home with moderate activity as tolerated. For the next 24 hours following anesthesia:
Brushing
Diet SuggestionsBegin with clear liquids, such as apple or cranberry juice, 7 Up® ,or ginger ale. Advance diet the first day as tolerated, such as Jell-O®, applesauce, or milkshakes. Soft, non-chewy foods are recommended for 1 week after surgery, such as mashed potatoes, scrambled eggs, or pasta. DO NOT eat popcorn, peanuts, seeds, or chips for at least 2 weeks after surgery to prevent an infection in the surgical site from impacted food debris. DO NOT rinse your mouth for the first 24 hours after surgery. After that, rinse gently with the oral rinse, if prescribed by your doctor, or with warm salt water (1/2 teaspoon salt dissolved in 8 ounces of warm water) 2-3 times a day for 1 week. Brush your teeth gently, but avoid the area of surgery for the first 24 hours. Warning SignsIf any of the following should occur, do not hesitate to contact us during regular office hours at (702) 660-5574. During the evening or night hours call (702) 660-5574 and follow the prompts.
FAILURE TO FOLLOW INSTRUCTIONS MAY BE LIFE-THREATENING.It is our desire that your recovery be as smooth and pleasant as possible. Following these instructions will assist you, but please contact our office if you have questions about your progress. Home care instructions / answers to common questions:Bleeding
Dry SocketDry socket is the premature breakdown of the blood clot. This typically occurs between the third and fifth day after surgery. It is more common in females. It is more common in patients that smoke or have medical conditions that affect healing. If you overexert yourself physically then you are more likely to get a dry socket. Symptoms that may indicate you have a dry socket are increased pain and a bad taste in your mouth. Typically, the pain radiates to your ear. If you have these symptoms, please call our office and we can schedule a time to see you. DietWe encourage you to drink lots of liquids and maintain a soft diet. Avoid hot liquids as this may prematurely dissolve the blood clot. Do not drink alcohol as this can have compounding effects with pain medicine and may alter the effects of other prescribed medications. We recommend foods that are soft, thick, and creamy for the first 5 to 7 days. Avoid popcorn and all seedy type food (e.g., raspberries) and any other food that may easily get caught in the extraction sites. Avoid spitting, using straws for liquids, and smoking for at least one week following the surgery. Irrigation SyringeBeginning 5 days after surgery, use the enclosed syringe to clean out the extraction site. To use: stand in front of a mirror and pull back your cheek to see the surgery site. With warm water in the syringe, place the tip near the surgery site and rinse. This should be done after meals and at bedtime as long as debris accumulates in the area. MedicationsPrescriptions should be taken as directed. They are prescribed to provide pain control. As healing occurs the pain will decrease. As the pain decreases you may decrease the frequency of taking the pain medication. PLEASE NOTE: IF YOU ARE TAKING BIRTH CONTROL PILLS AND ARE PRESCRIBED ANTIBIOTICS, STUDIES HAVE SHOWN THAT ANTIBIOTICS CAN DECREASE THE EFFECTIVENESS OF BIRTH CONTROL PILLS FOR UP TO 30 DAYS. Oral Hygiene/MouthwashAs soon as possible, brush your teeth gently. Brush on the tops of teeth only as you near the surgical sites with your toothbrush. Continue to brush your teeth and keep your mouth as clean as possible. A prescription-strength mouth rinse has been prescribed. Start the mouth rinse 48 hours after surgery. Physical ActivityNo activity that increases your heart rate should be performed for the first 5 days following surgery. The incidence of "dry socket" increases when physical activity is performed that raises your heart rate. Stitches (Sutures)Your stitches have been placed to control bleeding and encourage healing. These dissolve on their own in 10 to 14 days. SwellingSwelling to some extent follows nearly every tooth extraction. This is nature's way of beginning the healing process. The swelling is often quite severe after the removal of impacted wisdom teeth. An ice pack applied intermittently for up to 48 hours may help to reduce the swelling. The swelling will usually reach a maximum in 36 to 48 hours. Note: Please do not blow your nose for one week after having upper wisdom teeth removed, as this can lead to healing complications. IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT THESE INSTRUCTIONS OR ANY CONCERNS, PLEASE CALL OUR OFFICE (406) 752-4375. PLEASE NOTE THAT PRESCRIPTIONS WILL BE FILLED OR REFILLED DURING OFFICE HOURS ONLY SO WE ARE ABLE TO VERIFY OFFICE RECORDS. When can I stop using ice after wisdom teeth removal?Swelling usually reaches its maximum 2 days following surgery. To help reduce swelling, sit semi-reclined in a reclining chair; if lying down, keep your head elevated with 2-3 pillows. Icing should be discontinued after 24 hours. While icing your face may feel good, it will act to increase swelling.
Can you over ice your wisdom teeth?Ice packs should be applied to the sides of the face where surgery was performed every 20 minutes. Make sure you don't leave the ice pack on for more then 20 minutes at a time. You don't want to add frostbite to your postoperative care. After 36 hours, ice has no beneficial effect.
Is heat or ice better after wisdom teeth removal?In general, we advise against using a heating pad on the surgical area for at least 48 hours after the surgery. This is because heat can increase inflammation and slow the healing process. If you need relief from pain or swelling, cold compresses are usually a better choice.
Should I sleep with ice packs after wisdom teeth removal?After everything has been removed from your mouth, take any prescribed medications and drink cool water if you are able to do so. You can put an ice pack on your face to decrease pain and reduce swelling, but do not sleep on the ice pack. Don't brush your teeth or use mouthwash.
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How long should i use ice after wisdom tooth extraction
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