Wisdom Teeth Removal Post-Care

If you’ve had your wisdom teeth removed, you might be experiencing some discomfort, pain, and tenderness or swelling. This is all part of your recovery and how your body will heal, but there are plenty of things you can do to ensure that you’re as comfortable and hygienic as possible, to avoid aggravating your mouth and interrupting the healing process. Wisdom teeth removal is a common procedure, in Perth and worldwide, so many patients feel very at ease with the procedure and post-care.

Why Do I Have Wisdom Teeth?

Wisdom teeth are your third molars, and are accepted to be superfluous to a healthy or attractive smile. They are usually attributed to our ancient eating habits, but due to changes in our lifestyle they are now known for causing more harm than good. If there is not enough space, or they are erupting on a tilt or a rotation, then it can cause pain or discomfort. Wisdom tooth extraction can be considered a surgical procedure, so dentists are very accommodating of their patients and what their tolerance might be. There are various form of anaesthetic and sleep dentistry which can help to alleviate the discomfort or stress of the procedure, but afterwards it is important that the patient maintains the proper care.

Post-Care:

After your appointment for wisdom tooth extraction, you may experience some pain, swelling, and bleeding. Mouths heal extraordinarily quickly, but it is important not to disturb the blood clot or to aggravate your gums while they heal. Hot beverages like tea or coffee, soda and alcohol, and solid foods can all be uncomfortable to eat and may cause damage to the healing tissue during the recovery period, so we encourage our patients to give their mouths time to heal correctly and avoid these foods. We even give you permission to skip brushing your teeth for the first day of your recovery! Most patients experience three to four days of recovery, while for some cases it can last a week. This all depends on the severity of the teeth and how they were erupting through the gums.

For the week following your procedure, you should plan on taking it easy and avoiding activities or foods that could disturb the blot where your teeth were removed. An ice pack on your jaw should help to reduce the swelling, and your dentist may prescribe you painkillers to help with the pain. Otherwise, regular over-the-counter pain relief can help to manage any pan or discomfort.

Your dentist will advise you on how to properly care for your individual circumstances but you may be instructed to avoid flossing, rinsing, or brushing for a day, and to resume your dental care very softly for the following days. A saline solution such as warm salt water can help to prevent an infection.

Soft foods will be able to sustain you through the initial days, as you readjust and heal. Think yoghurts, smoothies, soups (served slightly cool), and more.

Wisdom teeth are a very common procedure, so if you are at all concerned about your wisdom teeth then talk to our team at Carillon City Dental. We will discuss all of your options with you, and we will ensure that you are comfortable and informed about your choice.