Dos And Don’ts After Wisdom Tooth Extraction

Wisdom Tooth Extraction is a common procedure many people need. Whether it is due to crowding, impaction, or potential oral health concerns, removing these third molars is often necessary to maintain a healthy and pain-free smile. However, while the dental professionals carefully perform the procedure, what comes after the extraction plays a pivotal role in your recovery and overall well-being.

Aftercare by understanding certain Dos and Don’ts can significantly impact the healing process and determine whether your wisdom tooth extraction post-surgery experience is smooth or has complications.

Dos After Wisdom Tooth Extraction

Here are the specific “dos” after wisdom tooth extraction to ensure a smooth and speedy recovery –

• Follow Post-Operative Instructions: Listen carefully to your oral surgeon’s or dentist’s post-operative care instructions. They may provide specific guidelines tailored to your case.

• Bite Gently on Gauze: Bite gently on the gauze pad placed over the surgical area for 30-45 minutes. This helps in clot formation and reduces bleeding.

• Use Ice Packs: Apply ice packs on the outside of your face for 20 minutes on, then 20 minutes off, for the first 24 hours. This helps in reducing swelling and numbing the area.

• Take Prescribed Medications: Take prescribed pain medications and antibiotics as directed by your oral surgeon or dentist.

• Maintain Oral Hygiene: Keep your mouth clean, but avoid rinsing, spitting, or touching the surgical area for the first 24 hours. After that, rinse your mouth gently with warm salt water several times daily.

• Eat Soft Foods: Stick to soft and cool foods like yogurt, pudding, mashed potatoes, soup, and smoothies for the first few days. 

• Stay Hydrated: Drink plenty of water but avoid using straws, as sucking can dislodge the blood clot and delay healing.

• Rest and Relax: Rest and avoid strenuous activities for a few days. Physical activity can increase bleeding and slow down the healing process.

• Be Gentle with Your Mouth: Avoid vigorous rinsing, spitting, or touching the extraction site with your fingers or tongue. This can disrupt the healing process.

• Attend Follow-Up Appointments: Attend follow-up appointments with your oral surgeon or dentist to monitor your healing progress.

Irrespective of the reasons for wisdom tooth extraction, following these dos can reduce the risk of complications and ensure a more comfortable recovery experience.

Don’ts After Wisdom Tooth Extraction

Avoiding certain activities and behaviors after the procedure is necessary to manage wisdom tooth extraction pain and discomfort. Here are the “don’ts” after you must remember –

1. Don’t Disturb the Clot or surgical site: This means no sucking on straws or forceful spitting, which can dislodge the clot and lead to a painful condition called dry socket.
2. Don’t Smoke or Use Tobacco Products: Avoid these things for at least a week after the surgery. Smoking can significantly delay the healing process and increase the risk of complications.
3. Don’t Consume Alcohol: Avoid alcoholic beverages for at least 24 hours after the surgery, as alcohol can interfere with the healing process and interact with medications.
4. Don’t Eat Some Foods: Steer clear of spicy, hard, crunchy, or sticky foods that can get stuck in the surgical site or require vigorous chewing, irritating the area.

Everyone’s healing process can vary, so it’s essential to follow your dentist’s specific instructions and guidelines tailored to your situation.

Experience Pain-Free Wisdom Tooth Removal With Experts

Don’t let wisdom tooth pain hold you back! Call us today at (972) 801-2788) to schedule your consultation at Pinnacle Dental! With our personalized care and advanced techniques, you can expect quick relief and a seamless recovery. 

Our experienced dentists in Plano, TX, will assess your situation, discuss your options, and create a personalized treatment plan tailored to your needs.