The Dos and Don’ts of Wisdom Teeth Removal
The removal of wisdom teeth (also called third molars) is one of the most common procedures performed in orthodontics, but there are also some things you should know before undergoing the procedure. Learn what to expect from wisdom teeth removal from an orthodontist, and find out about the dos and don’ts after surgery with wisdom teeth removal below.
Do: Follow doctor’s advice
After having your wisdom teeth removed, make sure to follow your dentist’s advice on how to recover. Your dentist will probably recommend resting for a few days, consuming soft foods, or applying ice packs several times a day. Also make sure you visit your dentist about a week after surgery to make sure everything went well and that you’re recovering on schedule. If you have any questions or concerns about recovery from wisdom teeth removal surgery, be sure to bring them up with your dentist.
After all, they’ve had more experience removing wisdom teeth than anyone else! It’s also helpful to ask friends who’ve had their wisdom teeth removed for tips and tricks on dealing with recovery. They’ll be able to tell you what worked (and didn’t work) for them, which can help keep you comfortable during healing. It might seem like it’ll take forever before your mouth feels normal again—but don’t worry! With proper care, it won’t take long at all before life is back to normal (or close enough). Do: Make healthy choices: To ensure that you get better as quickly as possible, try making healthy food choices when selecting snacks during recovery. Instead of grabbing chips or candy bars, try chewing gum or drinking water instead.
Do: Follow your gut feeling
Should you take them out? Maybe they’ll come in on their own, maybe not. If it’s been over 2 years since your last checkup and X-ray, and there’s still no sign of room in your mouth for wisdom teeth, or if your dentist recommends removing them because they could be a problem, go ahead and have them taken out. But don’t delay—missing only a few days is OK, but weeks could lead to infection in surrounding tissue.
The longer you wait to get something done about it, the worse it can become. Don’t: Let pain be your guide: You may feel some discomfort when eating after surgery, but that doesn’t mean you should push through it. Pain and swelling are normal after wisdom teeth removal surgery, so ask yourself: Is my pain getting better? Is it getting worse? How severe is it compared to what I felt before surgery? If you answer yes to any of these questions, call your doctor right away. That might mean taking an over-the-counter pain reliever like ibuprofen (Advil) or acetaminophen (Tylenol), or even seeing him or her sooner than expected.
Do: Bring something to reduce anxiety
Whether it’s your favorite movie, an engaging book, or a journal to write in, take something with you that will help reduce any pre-surgery jitters. Bring someone to take care of you: Whether it’s a loved one or friend who can drive you home after surgery, or a trusted pet who will keep you company while you’re recovering at home, bring someone with you that can help. Do eat solid foods before your surgery: Your surgeon may recommend eating soft foods only (things like mashed potatoes) until around 24 hours before your surgery.
You can try drinking a full glass of water on an empty stomach—and don’t forget to brush your teeth afterwards! Eat a light meal about two hours before your surgery: This is usually when anesthesia will be administered, so make sure you have eaten enough to avoid getting sick from anesthesia. Do wear comfortable clothing: We know what you’re thinking…the last thing you want to do is pack extra clothing for your trip home from surgery. But when it comes down to comfort versus fashion, always choose comfort! And since we don’t know how long recovery might take for each individual patient, we advise bringing clothes that are easy to get into and out of – like sweatpants or leggings paired with a loose t-shirt.
Do: Eat soft foods
There are certain things you can eat that will help speed up your recovery process. Fruit, soup, yogurt, and milkshakes all provide a lot of vitamins and minerals to help your body heal itself naturally. Soft foods are less likely to aggravate any problems with bleeding or swelling. You should wait one to two weeks before introducing hard foods back into your diet (this depends on how fast you heal). Eat soft food until then! If a piece of toast makes you cringe, it’s time to stick with something easier like oatmeal. A general rule is: if it hurts when you chew, then don’t chew it!
Do: Practice healthy oral hygiene routine
Your mouth is going to be sore for some time after your surgery. To reduce swelling and pain, practice healthy oral hygiene habits to protect your gums from becoming irritated. Gently brush your teeth with a soft-bristled toothbrush before rinsing with lukewarm salt water several times a day. Remember to floss regularly as well! Use a dab of antibiotic ointment or honey on any areas that may begin to bleed after brushing or flossing. Also, make sure you visit our office for regular follow-ups; typically once every two weeks at first then moving down to once per month after a couple months post-surgery.
Do: Get enough sleep, rest and relaxation
While some discomfort is inevitable after wisdom teeth surgery, you can help alleviate a lot of it with rest. It’s important to get enough sleep following your procedure so that you’re well-rested going into work or school in the morning. Aside from just making you feel better, getting plenty of rest also increases your body’s ability to heal itself after surgery. Plus, not only will you be more alert if an accident occurs, but one might even be less likely to occur if you aren’t operating on very little sleep because chances are high that fatigue can play a factor in how safe and cautious you are when moving around.
Do: Take pain medication as prescribed by your doctor
Pain is to be expect after wisdom teeth surgery, so pain medication is a good idea. You may be given ibuprofen (Advil) or another nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). They are safe for most people, but NSAIDs can cause stomach ulcers in some cases. They are also more likely to cause stomach bleeding in patients age 60 and older, which raises your risk for hospitalization after wisdom teeth removal surgery. Talk with your doctor if you have any concerns about taking pain meds.
Don’t Forget To Schedule Post-Surgery Appointment with Dentist
Having your wisdom teeth remove can be a trying time. While recovering, you should not take part in any activity that will put undue stress on your gums or mouth. For example, don’t chew gum or have too much coffee or alcohol. You may also have a hard time eating solid foods for some time after surgery. Instead, focus on soft foods like yogurt, applesauce and puddings until your mouth heals—this could take up to several weeks depending on how bad your surgery was. Your dentist will give you specific instructions about what you can eat during recovery as well as medications that can help alleviate post-surgery symptoms (such as swelling). It is important to follow these instructions so that recovery is smooth.
