3 Tips For A Smooth Recovery After Wisdom Teeth Removal
Posted on: 19 October 2015
Having wisdom teeth removed can be uncomfortable, but failing to have the procedure done can cause multiple problems. If your mouth does not have enough room for your wisdom teeth allowing them to grow in can cause crowding or shifting of your teeth. Neglected wisdom teeth can also become impacted, abscessed, or infected, which can be very painful and dangerous. The recovery period from wisdom teeth removal is not very long and there are several things you can do to ensure that you have a smooth recovery. Use the following tips to avoid complications after having your wisdom teeth removed and promote healing.
Give Yourself Time to Rest
Since wisdom teeth removal is an oral surgery, it is important that you have time to rest and heal after the procedure. You will likely have swelling, bruising, and some bleeding in the mouth around the surgical sites, so you should not expect to go right back to school or work. Most people try to schedule their wisdom teeth removal on a Thursday or Friday so they will have several days to rest before resuming normal activities. This may be especially important if your surgery is performed under general anesthesia, as it can cause nausea, vomiting, and dizziness as it wears off and is metabolized by your body.
Do Not Use a Drinking Straw or Smoke
As the surgical sites heal after wisdom teeth removal, blood clots form. If these blot clots are dislodged, the jawbone becomes exposed leading to an incredibly painful condition called dry sockets. Not only are dry sockets painful, they can greatly increase the time that it takes for your mouth to heal after oral surgery. The action of sucking through a straw or taking a drag on a cigarette are common causes of dry sockets, so these things should be avoided entirely during your recovery period.
Keep Your Mouth Clean
Once the bleeding in your mouth is under control, you can begin brushing your teeth again. You can brush normally, but try to avoid the surgical sites in the back of your mouth. Your dentist or oral surgeon, such as Skeels David K, will most likely recommend that you also gargle salt water to help keep the surgical sites clean. Some dentists will also give you a small syringe and instruct you to use it to gently clean the surgical sites after you eat to ensure that no particles of food get trapped. It is important to follow these directions carefully in order to prevent infection.
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