Dos And Don’ts After Wisdom Tooth Extraction?
By :
Salt Lake Dental | December 23, 2022
Have you recently experienced wisdom tooth extraction? Are you unsure of what to do and what not to do for a successful recovery? If so, keep reading! This blog post will discuss the dos and don'ts following a wisdom tooth extraction. We will explain why certain behaviors should be avoided to prevent any complications or infections affecting your mouth's healing process. From brushing habits to pain management tips - this blog post will serve as your source of information on how best to recover from dental surgery. Learn more now to begin healing safely.
What Should You Do After Wisdom Tooth Extraction?
The steps to follow after getting your wisdom teeth removed at a dental office have provided in the pointers below:
- Take all medications prescribed by your dentist, as directed. This includes antibiotics, painkillers, and any other medications prescribed. These medications will help reduce inflammation and pain and speed up healing.
- Rest after the procedure and avoid strenuous activities like exercise or sports until your dentist has given you the green light to return to your usual activities.
- Apply an ice pack to the area for 10 minutes at a time, several times a day, in order to reduce swelling and discomfort. Never apply heat directly to the area, as this can lead to infection or longer healing times. Make sure that the ice pack is wrapped in a soft cloth so as not to cause any further damage to the area.
- Rinse gently with warm salt water several times every day in order to reduce inflammation and prevent infection from forming in the wound site.
- Eat soft foods like soup, smoothies, mashed potatoes, scrambled eggs, etc., for at least 3-4 days after your surgery, as eating hard, or crunchy foods can cause pain or worsen bleeding from the wound site.
- Keep up with regular brushing and flossing but be careful not to brush too vigorously around the area of extraction, as this could lead to irritation or infection of the wound site.
Which Steps To Avoid After Undergoing Wisdom Tooth Extraction?
Avoiding certain things after wisdom tooth removal will help prevent complications and speed up recovery.
- Do not smoke cigarettes or use tobacco products for at least 72 hours after your procedure. These substances can impede proper healing of the wound site due to nicotine constricting blood vessels which reduces blood flow around that area of tissue repair needed after surgery.
- Do not drink alcohol for at least 24 hours after surgery since alcohol thins out blood which can slow down recovery time.
- Do not take aspirin (or products containing aspirin) unless instructed by your dentist.
- Do not eat anything hard or crunchy for at least three days following surgery.
- Do not pick at scabs that form on top of stitches.
- Refrain from rinsing too vigorously with a saltwater solution.
- Remember good oral hygiene habits even after your wisdom teeth have been extracted - continue brushing twice daily and flossing once daily.
- Do not forget follow-up appointments with your dentist.
Following these dos and don'ts will help ensure that you heal properly after having a wisdom tooth extraction procedure done by your dentist or oral surgeon – remember it's important to take care of yourself while also following their post-op instructions! Taking good care of yourself now will allow you to enjoy better oral health later on in your life's journey.