If you have wisdom teeth, chances are, you may have to get them removed. Wisdom teeth are the third molars, and are the final set of molars to erupt. When these teeth come in, usually between the ages of 16 and 20, there normally is not enough space in the mouth for them to erupt. As a result, they may emerge at an angle and damage adjacent teeth, cause disease in the jaw, or may crowd the teeth in your mouth. This may result in oral health problems like infection and pain. To prevent these issues, it is recommended that you extract your wisdom teeth.
The pain, swelling, or discomfort that can result from extractions is a normal part of the healing process. There may also be some bleeding during the period immediately following surgery. While your mouth heals, you should be careful not to dislodge the blood clot, or harm your healing gums. In this article, we’ll talk about what to expect during the recovery process following wisdom teeth extraction.
- Swelling: This is quite common after wisdom teeth extraction. You can apply ice packs intermittently to the outside of your mouth for about 20 minutes at a time. You can continue this for up to two days to minimize bruising, swelling, or discomfort. If you had an infected wisdom tooth prior to removal, your dentist may ask you to use warm, moist compresses, rather than ice.
- Bleeding: This may occur and to help reduce bleeding, you can keep a gauze pad over the extraction site for 30 minutes after surgery. For heavy bleeding, you can bite down on a gauze pad or place your fingers over the pad for about 30 minutes before removing it. You can also use a moistened tea bag for the same amount of time. This is because the tannic acid in the tea contracts the blood vessels which helps the blood clot to set.
- Mouth care: Rest for the entire day and limit eating, talking, and drinking after surgery. To prevent the blood clot from dislodging, do not rinse vigorously and do not use a straw when drinking. Also, avoid rigorous exercise for a few days, as well as smoking or spitting excessively on the day of the surgery, and also as long as there is bleeding. After 12 hours you can gently rinse your mouth with a diluted mouthwash or salt water. You can brush your teeth, but avoid the surgical area to prevent additional trauma.
- Diet: After the bleeding stops, drink plenty of lukewarm or cold fluids to keep hydrated. You can eat regular meals once you are free of pain, but start with soft foods and clear liquids. These could include puddings, mashed potatoes, eggs, and cooked cereals, as well as vegetables, meats, and fruits that have been liquefied in a blender. You can avoid eating foods such as popcorn and peanuts so that you do not dislodge the blood clot in your mouth.
- Medications: Your oral surgeon will recommend pain medications and antibiotics to prevent infection at the surgical site. You should take medication exactly as prescribed by your dentist. If you are taking strong narcotic pain medication, you should not drive or operate machinery, and avoid alcoholic beverages.
We often get asked about prevention of a dry socket. A dry socket develops when the newly-formed blood clot within the socket dislodges or dissolves, exposing bone and nerve endings. In addition to severe pain, some of the other symptoms include bad breath, an unpleasant taste in your mouth, swollen lymph nodes in your neck, low-grade fever, and visible bone within your socket. This will naturally heal, but the pain can be alleviated with oil of clove in the socket or a medicated packing and irrigation with your oral surgeon.
At the Harbour Pointe Oral Surgery & Advanced Dental Implant Center, we specialize in wisdom teeth removal. We ensure that the process is as painless as possible and that post-surgical recovery takes place quickly and effectively. We work with each individual patient even after the surgery to minimize discomfort.
So, now you know what to expect after the extraction of your wisdom teeth. Do not worry about the procedure and if you have impacted wisdom teeth, pain or infection due to wisdom teeth…we can help!
For more information on wisdom teeth and their removal, contact Dr. Brian Hart or Dr. Kathleen Isdith at 425-353-1009 or at hporalsurgery@gmail.com.