Precautions to be taken after wisdom tooth removalAfter a wisdom teeth removal procedure, unnecessary pain and complications of infection and swelling can be minimized if the instructions are followed carefully. Show
Immediately Following Surgery1. Eat COLD, SOFT FOOD as soon as possible and take medications as instructed. 2. Change your GAUZE every 30-60 minutes until there is no more bleeding and then remove. 3. REST, APPLY ICE and ELEVATE your head with pillows 4. Evaluate need for PAIN MEDICINE in 2 to 3 hours. Take medications as prescribed with food. GAUZE PACKS Remove gauze packs from your mouth when you eat. Continue to replace them every 30-60 minutes until bleeding has stopped. Then remove gauze. ORAL HYGIENE Continue to floss your teeth and brush thouroughly at least twice a day with a soft bristled brush so that you do not injure the tissues in your mouth. Following extraction, clean the teeth next to the healing tooth socket very gently for two days, carefully avoiding the surgical area. MOUTHWASH AND RINSING You may use rinse your mouth gently with water or mouth rinse. After the first 24 hours, frequent rinsing with a warm dilute salt solution will aid in your healing. ICE You may use an ice bag over the operated area for the first 24-48 hours following surgery. Apply to the affected area for 20 minutes and remove for 20 minutes; repeat as necessary. Elavate your head with 2-3 pilllows. This will help minimize swelling, bleeding and disccomfort. PAIN Ibuprofen (includes Motrin and Advil) may be recommended by your doctor to help control your discomfort. A stronger pain medication may also be prescribed for severe discomfort. If the pain medication makes you feel nauseated,discontiue and substitute with Tylenol or Ibuprofen. Discomfort usually subsides three to five days following surgery. BLEEDING Some bleeding following extraction of teeth is normal. Tooth sockets may continue to ooze a little during the night and even through the next day. If bleeding seems excessive,rinse the mouth thouroughly with cold water, removing any superficial masses of clottted blood. Then place a tightly folded piece of clean gauze over the bleeding area using enough gauze to apply firm pressure to the tissues when the jaw is closed. Maintain pressure with the gauze pack for 30-60 minutes,keeping head elevated. Should this not control bleeding, wrap a moist tea bag in gauze, place this over the socket and bite firmly. SUTURES (STITCHES) If sutures are present, most of them dissolve. Any remaining sutrues will be removed at the postoperative appointment. SWELLING Swelling is common after oral surgery. It will usually peak at approximately 48-72 hours and resolve 7- 10 days following surgery. Should the swelling persist for an exteded time, please call our office. NUMBNESS Numbness of the facial region following surgery is normal. Take care not to chew or bite your lips ANTIBIOTICS If you have been placed on antibiotics, take them as directed with food. ******Warning for Women****** While taking antibiotics, your birth control pills may become ineffective. It is recommended that you use an assitonal form of birth control for the remainder of your current cycle. REST AND NOURISHMENT Frequent small meals are recommended: cold, soft foods (yogurt, ice cream, Ensure, applesauce, milshakes, smoothies etc.) the first day of your surgery, progressing to warm, soft foods (pasta,soup, oatmeal,scrambled eggs, etc.) the following days. Hydration is essential with non acidic juices and water. NAUSEA Nausea can occur after surgery. Make sure to take medications with food. DISCOLORATION Discloration of the skin frequently seen in patients who “bruise” easily. It is due to bleeding from the operative site into the tissues. This often present two to three days after surgery and may take five or more days to fade. Download Article Download Article Having your wisdom teeth removed by a dentist or oral surgeon requires thorough post-operative care to ensure a full and speedy recovery. If you don't clean your teeth and mouth properly, you could end up with an infection or painful inflammation known as "dry socket" (alveolar osteitis). Dry socket occurs in about 20% of lower wisdom teeth extractions, so you will want to make sure you take extra precautions after your surgery.[1] You’ll need to care for your mouth for at least a week after your wisdom teeth removal using a few simple processes that don’t require much time or effort.[2]
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ReferencesAbout This ArticleArticle SummaryX To clean your teeth after getting your wisdom teeth removed, avoid brushing them or using mouthwash for the first 24 hours after your surgery so you don't interfere with the healing process. Then, for the next 3 days, brush your teeth as normal but avoid the area where your teeth were removed. Instead, rinse the area with warm water mixed with a pinch of salt to clean it. When you go to spit out your toothpaste or salt water rinse, tilt your mouth to the side and let everything drain out instead of spitting so you don't damage the surgical site. Finally, after 3 days, resume your normal brushing routine. To learn how to take care of your mouth after getting your wisdom teeth out, scroll down! Did this summary help you? Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 450,249 times. Reader Success Stories
Did this article help you?How do you keep oral hygiene after wisdom teeth removal?Oral Hygiene/Mouthwash
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.
How do you maintain oral hygiene after oral surgery?Don't rinse for the first 24 hours, and this will help your mouth to start healing. After this time use a salt-water mouthwash, which helps to heal the socket. A teaspoon of salt in a glass of warm water gently rinsed around the socket twice a day can help to clean and heal the area.
When can you start using mouth wash again after wisdom teeth removal?The golden rule is to avoid all mouthwash for at least 24 hours after the extraction. Instead, you can swish around warm salt water in your mouth to keep things clean. This can be done 4 times a day. Also, mouthwash often contains alcohol.
Can I brush my mouth with toothpaste after wisdom teeth removal?Keep the mouth clean
Brushing can be started on the first post-operative day. For the first 5 postoperative days, do not spit the toothpaste out. To remove the toothpaste let it drool out of your mouth. Spitting may result in a dry socket.
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