How Do I Take Care of Myself After a Wisdom Tooth Removal?

9/23/2019

|In case you ever find yourself at the dentist with a recommendation to have your wisdom teeth removed (speaking from my own experience here), it can be important to also consider the aftercare that you may be needing after this extraction is complete.

Thankfully in my case, I had a family member who was also a nurse by profession to lend a hand after my treatment, so I was actually well taken care of after I had the procedure done. It took about a week to fully recover, so it was very much appreciated to have someone there to check on me and offer support.

This article will also outline some important guidelines to follow after having your wisdom teeth removed so that you can be on the mend quickly... I hope it's helpful, and be sure to share your own experience and any strategies you found helpful.

Please note: The information contained in this article is not professional health advice. If you are concerned about your health, please seek professional support from a doctor or hospital. This is a collaborative post.

How Do I Take Care of Myself After
a Wisdom Tooth Removal?

Wisdom teeth are molars that usually appear in the back of the mouth by age 20. Since they can lead to overcrowding that affects the rest of the teeth, it’s often necessary to remove them. If you do need to undergo a wisdom teeth removal, is there anything in particular that you do for the next several days? Here are some tips that will help.

Leave The Gauze in Place for a Little While

The gauze is there for more than absorbing any blood that may emerge for a short time. It helps to protect the tender tissue while the blot clots. Typically, the blood flow will stop in less than an hour after the extraction. At that point, it’s fine to gently remove the gauze.

Ice Packs Are Your Friends

For the next day or two, use ice packs. Along with helping with any swelling, the ice numbs the gum and helps with the soreness. A good approach is to apply the ice pack for rounds of 20 minutes, then wait at least another 20 minutes before applying the ice a second time. After a day or two, the swelling will be gone and you shouldn’t have any discomfort.

It’s Light Duty Until Tomorrow

Arrange your schedule so that you can take it easy for the rest of the day. Avoid strenuous activities like lifting any type of weights, running, or working out. It’s fine to take a walk if you feel the need for some exercise. By the following day, you should be able to resume the normal routine.

Soft Foods and Plenty of Water

Professionals like Dr. Eisen, dentist in Barrie will provide guidelines for eating over the next few days. Soft foods should definitely be part of your diet. Anything that requires minimal or no chewing is the way to go. This helps to avoid possible pressure on the portion of gum that’s still healing.

In the case of beverages, water is the best possible choice. There’s nothing in water to irritate the gums. Keep the caffeine consumption to a minimum. You also want to avoid iced beverages for now; something at room temperature or slightly chilled will be fine. Remember to drink directly from the glass or cup instead of using a straw; until the area heals, the suction from drinking with a straw is not the best thing for you.

Keep the Mouth Clean

It’s true that you want to avoid vigorous rinsing for a few days, but you do need to keep the mouth clean. Gently brush your teeth and rinse slowly and carefully. If you use mouthwash, go slow as well. You’ll still get the same fresh, tingling sensation, but without causing any distress to the healing socket.

Depending on the general state of your teeth and gums, the dentist may have some additional suggestions. Follow them closely and you should experience less discomfort in the hours and days after the removal. With the right approach, your recovery from the wisdom tooth removal should go off without a hitch.

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