Eat with gauze in mouth wisdom teeth

Six Things To Do For A Comfortable Wisdom Tooth Extraction

After your wisdom tooth extraction, your recovery period begins. Because of modern tools and techniques oral surgery, the healing process is the shortest it has ever been. Here are some helpful tips to keep your recovery as quickly and as comfortable as you can.

A Service You Might Be Interested In: Wisdom Teeth Removal

1. Have a Friend With You

You are not going to feel like driving after your surgery and we certainly don’t recommend it. So on the day of your surgery, plan to have a friend give you a ride. If someone else can handle the driving, the prescription, and the many little chores involved, you can focus on your recovery and your comfort.

2. Dealing With the Bleeding

When the surgery is over, the first thing you might notice is the bleeding. Since the surgeon has to make an opening in the gums for a wisdom tooth extraction, you can expect a fair amount of blood. Luckily your surgeon will give you plenty of gauze to staunch the bleeding. Try not to change the gauze out unless it’s bleeding through. The more you disturb the mouth by swapping out the gauze, the longer it will take to stop the bleeding.

If the bleeding doesn’t stop, try adjusting the gauze. The gauze should press against the spots that are bleeding, not just floating nearby to soak up excess blood. Don’t pick at the spot.

Some people have better luck switching to a damp teabag after using gauze to stop most of the bleeding. The tea leaves can encourage clotting and reduce the discomfort in the back of the mouth.

3. Managing the Physical Discomfort

A wisdom tooth extraction is still a surgery, so physical discomfort after the procedure is normal. But you can take steps to lessen the discomfort. First, you may want to take ibuprofen even before the surgery starts. If you wait until you feel like you need it, the discomfort will last longer. Always tell your doctor what medication you’ve taken, so they know what might interfere with your anesthesia.

Plenty of bed rest is still the best course for recovery. After a day, some people will start to feel well enough to resume their daily functions. But others will need longer before going back to their normal routine. Try not to strain yourself; you’ll only make it worse if you exert yourself too early.

4. Preventing a Dry Socket

When the wisdom tooth is removed, the hole where the tooth used to be is called a socket. Typically, a blood clot will form in the socket to protect the sensitive nerves below and encourage healing. But if the clot is dislodged for any reason, a dry socket forms.

Dry sockets are unpleasant post-surgery complications. But they are very preventable. Violent actions like swirling, spitting, or sucking through a straw can all dislodge the blood clot. It does not take much force to cause a dry socket.

Brush gently, eat gently and avoid smoking while you recover. Keeping your head inclined also helps. By following your surgeon’s advice, you will save yourself the needless discomfort of a dry socket.

5. Take Your Antibiotics

If you feel comfortable enough to wean yourself from any prescription or an over-the-counter anesthetic, you can do so without bothering your recovery. But don’t take the same approach with your antibiotics.

Antibiotics fight the risk of infection after surgery. Just because you feel well and recovered, the chances of an infection linger around even after the discomfort is gone. Don’t stop your antibiotic regimen early, or you might end up with an even more serious infection.

6. Choose the Right Oral Surgeon

If you need any kind of oral surgery, the most important thing you can do for yourself is to choose the right professionals. After all, this is your body we are talking about. Whoever you trust with it better be the best.

Beaverton Oral Surgeons has been a leader in the dental industry for over 25 years. We pride ourselves on our experience, our professionalism, and our gold standard care. When you choose us to be your oral surgeons, you can know you’ve made the right choice.

To schedule an appointment with Beaverton Oral Surgeons, call us at (503) 646-7101 or use the form below.

When should I stop using gauze after wisdom teeth?

Does gauze prevent dry socket?

Can I eat if my tooth extraction is still bleeding?