What is the Best Aftercare for Wisdom Teeth Extraction?

After having a tooth extraction, The Wisdom Teeth Guys will provide you with a list of aftercare instructions. However, you may want to know what to expect in advance for improved planning such as scheduling any shopping for another day. In truth, there are several ways to ease discomfort and promote healthy healing following a wisdom tooth extraction.

Aftercare for wisdom tooth removal is fairly basic from what to eat for the first few days to oral hygiene, pain management, and more. Having everything that you anticipate needing in advance will allow you to relax and rest when you return home from your procedure.

Foods to have on Hand

It’s normal to experience jaw and gum tenderness, and sometimes pain during the first couple of days. As a result, you’ll want to avoid hard foods, or food that are difficult to chew, and opt, instead, for softer foods that will be gentler on your gums such as applesauce, cottage cheese, yogurt, soups, jello, pudding, and scrambled eggs.

Oral Hygiene

We recommend that you avoid brushing your teeth and flossing for the first 24 hours to allow your gums the necessary time to clot and begin the healing process. After the first 24 hours, you can resume brushing your teeth with care and ensuring that you avoid the extraction site to prevent accidentally dislodging any blood clot that forms there during healing. Beginning with day two, you can also use a salt water rinse to aid in the healing process. However, avoid vigorously swishing and gargling with the liquid. The best way to use salt water is with a gentle rinse and tipping your head forward to allow the water to fall out of your mouth and into the sink.

Limit High-Impact Activity

High-impact activity and heavy lifting have the potential to increase bleeding. It’s recommended to avoid it for the first 24 hours to give your gums a chance to form the protective blood clot at the extraction site.

Pain Management

Controlling pain after your procedure is always a concern of a majority of our patients. There may be times when the dentist will prescribe pain medication for you. However, in most cases, over-the-counter pain relief may be recommended. When you schedule your wisdom tooth extraction, ask us how your individual situation will be handled when it comes to pain relief. If over-the-counter medication is recommended, having the necessary supplies on hand in advance will prevent an unnecessary shopping trip when you’re not feeling your best.

Additionally, the use of an ice pack against the outside of your cheek in the area where the extraction was made can aid in reducing any swelling that you may experience.

While it’s important to rest after your procedure, ensure that you elevate your head to decrease swelling at the extraction site. Elevating your head when you lie down can also prevent a prolonged bleeding time as well.

Prevent dry socket

Dry socket is the bane of many patients who undergo a tooth extraction procedure. It is a very painful inflammation at the extraction site that generally happens when the blood clot is dislodged too soon.

Preventing dry socket is easier than you think. Avoid using straws, smoking, or anything else that requires you to suck or change the force within your mouth. Another preventive measure is to avoid rubbing, prodding, or poking at the extraction site with your tongue, finger, or anything else.

If you are planning on having one or more wisdom teeth extracted, give The Wisdom Teeth Guys a call today for a full consultation and estimate.