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Wisdom teeth extraction is probably in your near future, either for you or someone you know. In this blog, we provide some helpful tips to make your journey easier. This informative journey will explore the many reasons why you should prioritize finding a dental clinic that does painless wisdom tooth extraction.
What Makes Wisdom Tooth Extraction So Complicated?
Although getting your wisdom teeth extracted can be a scary prospect, it’s possible to lessen the pain and speed up the healing process with the correct information and planning. This is because of few factors like:
- Wisdom teeth are infamously located in an inconvenient area of the mouth that is difficult for the dentist to reach.
- The process is further complicated by a number of additional variables, such as the angle and degree of impaction, among others.
Therefore, before having wisdom teeth out, the patient should familiarize themselves with the standard dos and don’ts.
Initial Day after wisdom tooth extraction
Pay Attention to What Your Surgeon Says After Surgery
After your dental surgeon removes your wisdom teeth, it is imperative that you follow all of their post-operative recommendations to the letter. Some of these directions may include taking medicine as directed, keeping the surgery site moist using gauze, and practising good dental hygiene.
Stay away from Exercising Too Much
There should be no heavy lifting or other exertion for at least 24 hours after surgery to prevent the clot from developing at the incision site. Getting enough rest is key to a speedy recovery.
Use a Cold Compress
On the first day, try applying a cold compress on your cheek for 15 to 20 minutes at a time to reduce swelling and pain. As a result, inflammation and pain may be alleviated.
Avoid Foods That Are Hard or Spicy
For the first twenty-four hours after surgery, you should only eat soft foods to avoid irritating or damaging the surgical site. Go for ice cream, yoghurt, and smoothies; they’re easy on the teeth.
Maintain an Elevated Head Position
If you’re going to be lying down to relax, use an additional pillow to prop up your head. Because more fluid can flow away from the surgery site, oedema can be lessened.
Keep your tongue and fingers away from the surgical site
This is crucial for the typical healing process. Patients have a tendency to irritate the surgery site by poking or touching the extraction area with their tongues. Not only is the tongue a common vector for infection, but there’s no use in attempting to gauge the depth of the cut by feeling it. Therefore, it is advised against.
Keep Your Mouth Clean
It is essential to keep up with appropriate dental care even after surgery. Following your oral surgeon’s instructions, carefully clean your teeth (being cautious around the incision) and then rinse your mouth with the mouthwash they recommended. Preventing infections and speeding healing can be achieved through maintaining good oral hygiene.
Avoid Smoking and Using Straws
Smoking and the use of straws both induce oral suction, which has the potential to dislodge blood clots that develop at the extraction site. One painful consequence of this is the development of a “dry socket.” To keep this from happening, for the first week following surgery, don’t smoke and don’t use straws.
Follow the Doctor’s Orders When Taking Painkillers
The extraction of wisdom teeth can cause a lot of pain and agony. Medication for pain is something your dental surgeon will probably recommend. To alleviate discomfort and speed up the healing process, take the medicine exactly as prescribed.
Do Not Ignore Your Follow-Up Visits
In order to track how well you’re healing, your oral surgeon will set up follow-up visits. To make sure your recuperation is going well and to spot any problems early, these visits are necessary. You shouldn’t skip them regardless of how well you’re recuperating.
Take it easy and get some sleep
Take it easy on yourself; getting better takes time. Relax and let your body the time it requires for a proper recovery.
Avoid Worrying Over Bruising and Swelling
After having your wisdom teeth out, you may experience some swelling and bruising. A 48-hour peak is typical, followed by a slow decline. One way to alleviate these symptoms is to apply a cold compress to the affected area while keeping your head elevated.
2nd Day after Tooth Extraction
Keep Up Good Dental Hygiene
You should continue to gently brush your teeth and rinse your mouth with the recommended mouthwash after the first day to keep your teeth and gums healthy. Take extra care not to let food or other debris collect around the surgery site.
Avoid Smoking and Using Straws
For the first two days after surgery, you should refrain from smoking and using straws so as not to induce suction in your mouth. Dislodging the blood clot with this suction might cause a painful condition known as a “dry socket.”
After 48 Hours of Wisdom Tooth Extraction
Eat Solid Foods Gradually
When the 48 hours have passed, you can gradually reintroduce semi-solid and soft solid meals to your diet. Porridge, soup, scrambled eggs, spaghetti, or cooked veggies are good options for a starter because they are tiny and easy to chew. Avoid foods that are too rough or crunchy for you to handle comfortably.
Avoid Missing Out on Follow-Up Visits
It is essential to have your scheduled follow-up appointments with your oral surgeon to verify that your healing is going according to plan. It is important to keep these checkups regardless of your health so that any problems can be caught early.
Keep Yourself Hydrated
Healing requires adequate hydration. Stay hydrated by drinking lots of water, but to keep things simple, don’t use straws at the moment.
Keep Up Good Dental Hygiene
You should continue to gently brush your teeth and rinse your mouth with the recommended mouthwash after the first day to keep your teeth and gums healthy. Take extra care not to let food or other debris collect around the surgery site.
After two days of wisdom tooth extraction
You should apply a warm compress
You can alternate between using cold and warm compresses to alleviate pain and swelling if you find that they persist beyond the first 48 hours. For 15 to 20 minutes at a time, use a hot, wet towel. If you’re having trouble opening your mouth because of a locked jaw, try these easy exercises. Additionally, it will benefit from heated compression.
Avoid Drinking Alcohol and Eating Spicy Foods
Because they can irritate the surgical site and slow the healing process, alcoholic drinks and spicy meals should be avoided for at least one week after wisdom teeth extraction.
Gargle using warm saline
A warm saline rinse is an absolute must for a safe post-operative recovery. Be careful not to aggravate your injuries when you do this.
Avoid skipping medication
After the wisdom tooth is extracted and the discomfort subsides, patients often begin to disregard their medication regimen. In any event, you shouldn’t do this.
Conclusion
After having your wisdom teeth out, you’ll need to pay close attention to detail and follow your surgeon’s instructions to the letter for the first two days. You can facilitate a more pleasant and fruitful recuperation by adhering to these dos and don’ts for each duration. The secret to a speedy recovery is self-care and patience. Although getting your wisdom teeth out is no picnic, you can ease the process by keeping in mind these suggestions from the patient’s point of view. Maintaining good dental hygiene is critical, and with the right treatment, you may get your smile back to normal quickly.