Wisdom teeth extraction is a major oral surgery. In fact, despite the pain that wisdom teeth cause when they are coming in, it is natural for Bel Air, MD residents to be anxious about having any type of surgery Rest assured, when you come to The Maryland Center, located in Bel Air, MD, your safety and comfort is our top priority. Our surgeons are experts at surgical wisdom tooth removal, using the least invasive techniques possible to minimize discomfort following surgery. To help ensure you have the best recovery possible from your wisdom teeth extraction, we have prepared this list of wisdom teeth extraction do’s and don’ts.
After Your Wisdom Teeth Extraction, Do:
- Elevate your head. Doing so will help reduce the amount of swelling you experience.
- Ice your face for the first 24 to 48 hours. Icing will help reduce your pain and minimize your swelling.
- Bite on your gauze to stop bleeding. Once the bleeding has stopped, you’ll no longer need to bite down on the gauze.
- Stay on a liquid and soft food diet initially. Slowly transition to harder foods as you begin to heal.
- Perform jaw exercises by gently opening and closing your mouth.
- Drink ample amount of fluids – but not from a straw!
- Take your pain medication as prescribed. Don’t skip a dose, or it will be harder to “catch up” and soothe the pain later.
- Brush your teeth beginning the second day after your surgery, but don’t brush the wisdom teeth extraction sites.
- Call the Bel Air, MD Maryland Center immediately if you develop a fever (which could be a sign of infection) or if you have pain or swelling that just won’t subside despite following the above instructions.
After Your Wisdom Teeth Extraction, Don’t:
- Use straws, suck, spit, or smoke. Avoiding these activities helps maintain the blood clot that forms over the wisdom teeth extraction site. If the clot becomes dislodged, you may have more bleeding, more pain, and a potential side effect called dry sockets.
- Avoid pretzels, popcorn, potato chips and other hard or sharp foods for at least 1 week.
- Stop using ice packs after the first 48 hours after your wisdom teeth extraction. Instead, switch to heat, either on the outside of the face or directly in the mouth on top of the wounds. Hot water on your wisdom teeth extraction site can be soothing and promote healing.
- Don’t rinse your mouth too vigorously, though rinsing with saltwater may be recommended.
What Else Should I Know About Wisdom Teeth Extraction?
Because so many Bel Air, MD wisdom teeth extraction patients choose a form of sedation dentistry to increase their comfort during their wisdom teeth extraction, it’s important to remember that everyone responds to these types of medications differently. If you are choosing a sedation dentistry option besides nitrous oxide (also known as laughing gas), you will not be able to drive yourself home from your procedure. Instead, you must arrange for a friend or family member to transport you home. You also should not be alone in the first few hours after your procedure, to make sure that if you encounter any problems from your sedation medication, you have help if you need it.
Call to Schedule Your Wisdom Teeth Extraction Today
If you’re ready to schedule your wisdom teeth extraction, contact our Bel Air, MD offices today at (410) 838-7301.
