Wisdom tooth extractions can be a major oral procedure. However, there is no need to worry. Most people are back to feeling perfectly normal within 1 – 2 weeks! In the meantime, though, you will have to take extra care of your mouth in order to facilitate a fast and complication-free recovery. Here are some specific steps that you should take to make your healing process as easy as possible:
Control Bleeding
There may be some intermittent bleeding during the first 24 hours after your procedure. To keep it under control, apply some clean gauze to your extraction sites and apply gentle pressure. It would also be wise to keep your head elevated when you are resting; lying flat could worsen bleeding.
Manage Your Discomfort
You may experience some pain and swelling while you are on the mend. To minimize your discomfort, you should:
- Take prescribed or over-the-counter pain medications.
- Apply a cold compress for 20 minutes at a time.
If you experience extreme pain, there might be a problem with your extraction sites. There is no shame in calling your dentist for advice!
Eat a Soft Diet
Because your mouth will be sore, it would be best to avoid eating anything that takes a lot of effort to chew. For example, you should stay away from anything that is hard, sticky, or crunchy. In fact, you may find it best to consume a liquid diet for the first day or two. Then, you can incorporate soft foods, such as scrambled eggs, mashed potatoes, and meatloaf. It is even okay to indulge in some ice cream!
Avoid Dry Socket
Dry socket is a painful complication that occurs in a small percentage of wisdom tooth extraction cases. It happens when the blood clot at an extraction site is prematurely dislodged or fails to form. You can reduce your risk of this issue by:
- Avoiding the use of drinking straws
- Not smoking cigarettes
- Not touching your extraction sites with your tongue or fingers
- Not consuming alcoholic beverages
- Eating a soft diet
- Not spitting or rinsing vigorously
Get Plenty of Rest
Strenuous physical activity could increase bleeding and discomfort. Therefore, you should take it easy for at least a few days. You can use the time to catch up on reading or binge your favorite TV show!
Recovering from wisdom tooth extractions requires that you take special care of your mouth. Follow your dentist’s instructions so you can heal as efficiently as possible!
Meet the Practice
The dentists and team members at Nu Dental in Barnegat are proud to provide a range of dental services for our community, including wisdom tooth extractions. If you have questions about this procedure or what to expect from it, our team would be pleased to speak with you. Contact our office at 609-879-0036.