After Wisdom Tooth Removal
- Gauze: The gauze should be kept in place for 1 1/2 hours. If excessive continued bleeding is noted, then replace the gauze and bite firmly for another 45 minutes. Slight oozing is normal in the first 24-Hour period. Remember that a little blood and a little saliva mixed together looks like a lot of blood. Care must be taken to make sure the gauze is putting pressure on the surgical site only and that you are not biting the gauze with your other teeth.
- Ice: Ice packs must be placed over the area of surgery. Ice should be started immediately and continued for 48 hours. 20 minutes on and 20 minutesoff works well. After the 48 hrs, discontinue icing for 2 days and then switch to a heating pad: (If you use ICE too long, it will prolong the swelling)
- Rinsing: No rinsing or swishing of mouth for 24 hours. After 24 hours a gentle rinse of warm salt water several times a day and after meals will promote healing, and remove food particles from the surgery site(s). Dissolve 1/4 teaspoon of table salt in a glass of warm water, and continue with the warm saltwater rinses for one week. Do not use mouth-rinse such as Listerine unless told to do so by Dr. Subedar.
- Things To Avoid: Avoid spitting because this may dislodge the blood clot forming at the surgical site. Such dislodgment could cause excessive bleeding, delayed healing, and discomfort after surgery. No stooping, bending or strenuous exercise for several days as this can cause bleeding.
- Rest: Rest is essential. Keep your head elevated at all times. Use two pillows under your head and shoulders when lying in bed the first night so that your head will be slightly elevated.
- Smoking: No smoking for one week. This is the single most common reason for having delayed healing and pain.
- Soft Foods and Liquids: Begin taking liquids within 2 hours after your surgery. If liquids are tolerated well, you may progress to more solid foods such as soup, applesauce, cottage cheese, yogurt, mashed fruit, scrambled eggs, or baked potatoes.
- Oral Hygiene: This is extremely important to prevent infection. You may begin brushing your teeth with a soft bristled toothbrush as usual the next morning. Remember to be gentle.
- Pain Medication: To be taken as directed. You should decrease the prescribed medication as your discomfort decreases, gradually working into an over the counter medication such as Tylenol or Advil. If an antibiotic has been prescribed, please take it until gone.
- Swelling: Jaw stiffness and swelling can be expected and is normal for the surgery you have undergone. The swelling differs from person to person and may vary from significant enlargement to being barely noticeable. On day 3 the swelling will be at its worst and should go down slowly after that. A warm compress at day 4 will decrease the swelling faster.
- Numbness: Until the local anesthetic has worn off, use extra care not to hurt your lips, tongue, or cheeks. This is especially important for children. Make sure that they do not chew their lips or tongue. If you have been given any type of intravenous, inhalation, or oral medication, it is extremely important that you DO NOT OPERATE A MOTOR VEHICLE, or attempt anything which requires total awareness until the effect of the drug has completely gone away. Do not drive until the day after surgery!
When taking antibiotics, Birth Control medications may not be effective! Please use other forms of birth control until you start your next pack of pills.
Our goal is to provide you with the highest quality of care possible. If you have any questions or if your recovery period is not as we have described, please contact our office at the numbers listed above. Thank you for allowing us to take care of you. We consider it an honor that you have chosen us to provide your surgical needs.