Wisdom teeth appear in our late teens or early twenties. Wisdom teeth may be a valuable addition to your mouth if they are robust and well-positioned. However, they are poorly aligned in most situations and must be removed. Because of that, wisdom tooth extraction is considered a major dental surgery.
When we have surgery, the first thing we want is for it to recover properly and promptly. As a result, we’ve compiled a list of dos and don’ts regarding wisdom teeth extraction.
The Do’s
- Rest. Take it easy for the next few days. However, this does not mean that you must be entirely bedridden.
- Keep your head elevated. This will help to reduce oedema.
- Apply an ice pack. Icing relieves discomfort and reduces swelling for the first 24-48 hours following the extraction. Use the ice packs for 15 minutes on and off each for 1-2 hours.
- Bite your cotton gauze. The pressure will help to halt the bleeding.
- Maintain cleanliness. Once a day, you should gargle with a salt-water solution.
- For a few days, consume liquids and soft foods. Soups, mashed potatoes, yoghurts, milkshakes, smoothies, and so on.
- Eat on the opposite side. It is critical not to disrupt the wound in your gum as it heals.
- Perform jaw exercises. You can do this by opening and shutting your mouth slowly. However, it would be best if you did not do this shortly following your extraction.
- Drink plenty of water. But you should do this without a straw!
- Take your medications exactly as directed. If you miss a dose, it will be difficult to relieve the pain afterwards.
- Brush your teeth lightly. You should only brush your teeth starting the second day after surgery. However, do not brush the extraction site of the wisdom teeth.
The Don’ts
- Avoid using straws. Do not suck, spit, smoke, or consume alcohol. Avoiding them helps to keep the blood clot that develops over the extraction site intact. If the clot becomes dislodged, you may have additional bleeding and discomfort. In addition, dry sockets are a possible adverse effect.
- Don’t eat, drink, or talk for at least an hour following your procedure.
- Avoid solid meals. Stay away from candy, potato chips, and other similar hard or crunchy foods for at least a week. Avoid hot or carbonated beverages, spicy meals, sodas, and so on. Dentists recommend that you eat solid foods only after 4-5 hours following the extraction.
- Never take aspirin. It is a blood thinner that slows the development of clots.
- Icing should be avoided for the first 48 hours following wisdom tooth extraction. Instead, use warm water in your extraction location. It will relieve your discomfort and aid in recovery.
- Don’t stick your tongue, finger, tissue, or toothpick into the gap. It may cause your recovery process to be slowed. Additionally, it may cause bleeding and result in a dry socket.
- Don’t rinse your mouth too aggressively. The pressure might dislodge the blood clot, causing unwanted difficulties.
All in all, if the bleeding persists beyond 24 hours or you have severe discomfort or fever, see your dentist.
