After Wisdom Tooth Removal

Postoperative care is very important. Unnecessary pain and the complications of infection, swelling and dry socket can be minimized if the instructions are followed carefully.

Immediately Following Surgery

  • A gauze pad placed over the surgical area should be kept in place for a minimum of an hour.

  • Vigorous mouth rinsing or touching the area following surgery should be avoided. This may initiate bleeding by causing the blood clot that has formed to become dislodged.

  • Take pain medications before the local anesthetic wears off.

  • Restrict your activities the day of surgery and resume normal activity when you feel comfortable.

  • Place ice packs to the sides of your face where surgery was performed. Refer to the section on swelling for explanation.

ACTIVITY

Do not plan any activities for the next 24 hours. Use common sense — do not drive, operate heavy equipment or make any important decision for 24 hours following your appointment. Do not go up or down stairs or walk unassisted the first few hours following surgery. You can resume your normal activities as you can tolerate it the day following surgery.

EATING AND DRINKING

Stick to a softer diet the first few days following surgery. Foods such as ice cream, milkshakes, applesauce, puddings, soup or broth, mashed potatoes or yogurt may be the most comfortable for the first day. It is also important to drink plenty of fluids. Do not drink alcoholic beverages for 24 hours following your appointment.

MEDICATIONS

We recommend taking your medications as instructed by your oral surgeon. If necessary, you will be given a prescription for pain medication. If pain continues despite taking the pain medication as prescribed, please contact our office for further instructions. Your oral surgeon may also prescribe antibiotics to treat or prevent infection. Take all of the antibiotics your oral surgeon has prescribed until they are gone.

Antibiotic

Take antibiotics as prescribed.

Pain Medications

Ibuprofen 600mg by mouth every 6 hours as needed for pain. Norco 5/325 tablets. Take 1 or 2 tablets every 4 to 6 hour as needed for pain.

ORAL HYGIENE

Do not brush your teeth for the first 8 hours after surgery. After this time, you may brush your teeth and tongue gently, but avoid the area of surgery. Avoid all rinsing for 24 hours after surgery. This is to insure the formation of a blood clot in the tooth socket which is essential to proper healing. Do not smoke after surgery as this can delay healing. The day following surgery, begin using warm salt water rinses several times daily to promote healing and comfort. Dissolve 1 teaspoon of salt in 1 cup of warm water and gently swirl the salt water rinse in the mouth, then let it fall out of your mouth into the sink. You can apply Vaseline or Chapstick to your lips as needed as they may feel dry and cracked after surgery. Good oral hygiene is important for proper healing.

CARE OF THE EXTRACTION SITE

Before you leave the office, a gauze roll will be placed on the extraction sites. Bite down firmly on the gauze and remove it after one hour. Once you take it out, leave it out. We will also give you a package of gauze to take with you to use at home if excessive bleeding occurs. It is normal for a small amount of blood to ooze from the extraction site for at least 24 hours postoperatively. Avoid spitting, sucking through a straw or drinking carbonated beverages for the first few days following surgery. These activities create suction in the mouth and can cause excessive bleeding and may dislodge the blood clot that needs to form at the extraction site.

COMMON CONCERNS

Excessive bleeding is uncommon but no cause for alarm. Simply dampen a piece of gauze with tap water and roll it into a ball large enough to cover the site. Place the gauze over the site and bite firmly on the gauze for about 20-30 minutes. If excessive bleeding still continues, please contact our office.

Soreness, swelling and occasionally bruising may occur following oral surgery. recommend applying cold packs to your face for 20 minutes several times over the next 24 hours. After 24 hours post-op, use warm moist heat for 20 minutes several times a day. This will also help with discomfort. You can expect that you may have some difficulty chewing or opening your mouth for the first few days following surgery. It is important to drink plenty of fluids and eat softer foods during this time.

Dry socket is a delayed form of healing following removal of a tooth. It typically occurs 3-5 days postoperatively and is described as a dull ache. If you have discomfort that is unresolved with pain medication and other comfort measures prescribed by your oral surgeon, please contact us. If you have any questions about your care or concerns about your treatment, please contact us. We want your healing period to go as smoothly and comfortably as possible.