It is absolutely not pleasant to extract a wisdom tooth. After the surgery, take your time to rest and allow your body to recover. Follow your dentist's instructions and call them immediately if you start experiencing severe symptoms, especially if it's been more than 24 hours since the extraction. If you rest and don't stress out, you will be able to resume your normal daily activities within 3-4 days. Within a couple of weeks, you will be back in great shape.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Check for Blood Leaks
Step 1. Leave the gauze pad on the extraction site for at least 30 minutes
Usually the dentist closes the wound with stitches to help heal, however some blood may come out immediately after surgery. The gauze helps to absorb it by preventing you from ingesting it, otherwise in copious quantities it could cause stomach pain.
Remove and discard the gauze after half an hour. If the extraction site still appears to be bleeding, put another piece of gauze on it
Step 2. Avoid touching the wound
Touching or squeezing the gums from which the wisdom tooth was extracted could cause the clotted blood to move and fail, resulting in bleeding. Even if you're curious about what's going on, just examine the area with your eyes.
You shouldn't touch the area with your tongue either. By rubbing it, you risk moving the clotted blood
Step 3. Rinse your mouth and use another gauze if your gums are still bleeding
Depending on how your mouth is and the surgery performed, your gums may continue to bleed after the first half hour. If you notice traces of blood in your saliva, don't worry. However, if the site is bleeding excessively, you may want to apply another gauze pad.
- Gently rinse or clean the area to remove any old blood clots. Then put a piece of folded gauze directly on the site of the extraction and bite down hard.
- Maintain the pressure for 30 minutes. This way you should be able to stop the bleeding. Be careful not to chew, otherwise you will stimulate salivation and lose more blood.
Alternative:
instead of gauze try biting a wet tea bag for 30 minutes: the tannins contained within it promote coagulation.
Step 4. Contact your dentist if blood loss lasts more than 4 hours
The extraction site should stop bleeding 4 hours after surgery. If the bleeding continues and you can't stop it, see your dentist immediately.
If it is strong and uncontrollable or if it takes less than 30 minutes to smudge the gauze, don't wait 4 hours
Step 5. Lift your head for the first 3 days
During the first 24 hours, you will likely spend most of your time sleeping. However, you should be careful with the way you lie down during this time: put at least two pillows under your head to keep it elevated. Doing so will ensure that the clotted blood does not move and that the wounds do not open or start bleeding again.
If you have a neck pillow or a travel pillow, like the ones you use to sleep in a car or plane, it can help you keep your head in the right position while you sleep
Method 2 of 3: Managing Pain and Discomfort
Step 1. Use an anti-inflammatory for moderate pain
If the extraction went well, you probably won't need medication. However, if you feel pain or discomfort, take a paracetamol or ibuprofen tablet every 3-4 hours.
Your dentist has probably already prescribed a pain reliever for you. Use it if the pain is not relieving. Do not exceed the recommended doses
Step 2. Take a pain reliever in case of severe pain
If the extraction has been difficult, the pain may be more severe than after an uncomplicated surgery. The pain reliever helps relieve it, but don't overlook the side effects. Do not drive or operate machinery after taking.
- Take whatever prescribed for you at least for the first night, even if you think you don't need it. It will allow you to sleep well, making it easier for you to recover.
- Contact your dentist if the prescribed medication makes you nauseous. It will instruct you to replace it with another one.
Advise:
if the pain is excruciating and does not subside with medication, call your dentist immediately. It could be dry alveolitis.
Step 3. Avoid eating and drinking if you feel sick or vomit
It is normal to feel nauseous immediately after surgery, especially if you have been subjected to sedation or general anesthesia. In these cases, wait at least an hour before eating or ingesting anything, including pain relievers.
After an hour, slowly sip some tea or ginger ale for about fifteen minutes - it should calm the nausea. Then try to eat something
Step 4. Sit for a minute before standing up
You may feel dizzy in the first 24 hours or while taking the pain reliever. To avoid tripping or falling, sit for one minute with both feet on the floor, then slowly stand up.
- If you feel lightheaded when standing, avoid moving for a minute or two before trying to walk.
- If you feel like you are losing your balance, ask a friend to help you walk. Keep everything you need close at hand so you don't have to get up all the time.
Step 5. Massage the masseter muscle to release tension
The masseter is one of the four chewing muscles used to open and close the mandible. Since the latter remains open for a long time during the extraction of the wisdom tooth, it may be sore and stiff once the surgery is finished.
Find this muscle by placing your fingers just before the ear opening, on either side of the face. Gently massage it with your fingertips for 2-5 minutes every couple of hours
Step 6. Use a cold pack to relieve swelling
It is normal for the area from which the tooth was extracted to swell. A cold compress applied to the cheek during the first 24 hours can reduce this discomfort. Leave it for 15 minutes, then take it off. You can use the ice pack for a quarter of an hour, about every half hour.
After 24 hours, ice won't do much against swelling, however it can numb the area and reduce the perception of pain
Step 7. Treat dry, chapped lips with a lip balm
Since the mouth remains open for a long time during the extraction, the lips may dry out and crack, especially in the corners. Regular lip balm or lip balm should solve the problem.
If you don't notice any improvement, see your dentist. They may recommend or prescribe a stronger acting product
Method 3 of 3: Take Care of Yourself and Your Oral Hygiene
Step 1. Contact your dentist in case of serious complications
The most severe symptoms typically occur within the first 24 hours after surgery. Check the situation carefully. Some symptoms could indicate an infection or neurological damage. Call your dentist immediately if any of the following complications occur:
- Difficulty in breathing or swallowing.
- Heavy bleeding.
- Fever.
- Severe pain that is not relieved by taking the prescribed pain reliever.
- Swelling that persists or gets worse after 2-3 days.
- Bad taste in the mouth that lasts even after rinsing with salt water.
- Pus or secretions at the site of the extraction.
- Persistent paraesthesia of the cheek, tongue, lips or jaw.
- Traces of blood or pus in the nasal secretions.
Step 2. Drink plenty of water while healing
It is always important to keep yourself hydrated; this is especially true during recovery following wisdom tooth extraction, particularly in the first 24 hours. Since your mouth has been open throughout the surgery, you are likely to be dehydrated afterwards. As you recover physically, increase your fluid intake from your normal requirement.
- Try sipping water continuously throughout the day. When awake, try to drink at least one full glass every hour.
- If you feel nauseous, you can sip ginger ale to calm your stomach. However, you should avoid sugary or caffeinated soft drinks, such as tea and coffee.
- Also avoid alcohol for at least a week. Alcohol dehydrates the body and can impair the natural healing process.
Warning:
don't even use a straw for a week. The vacuum it produces in the mouth can remove clotted blood and slow recovery.
Step 3. Opt for soft foods that are high in calories and protein
Grated apple, yogurt, and cottage cheese are great choices after oral surgery. You should also consume drinks that contain added nutrients.
- Switch to solid foods when you feel able, but go slow. After 3 days you should be able to eat softer foods that require little chewing, such as pasta and cheese.
- Avoid foods that are too hot, as they can weaken clotted blood. You should also avoid hard, crunchy, or spicy foods for at least a week.
- Don't skip meals. You will feel better and heal faster if you feed regularly. Even if you're not hungry, you can indulge in a few bites.
Advise:
baby food are excellent substitutes for solid foods, but probably not very tasty. Add a seasoning to your liking.
Step 4. Avoid strenuous activities for at least a week
During the first 24 hours try to rest and take it easy. Any activity should be passive, such as reading, watching TV, or playing video games. After 2-3 days you can resume your normal routine, but you should still refrain from heavy exercise.
- Fatigue can weaken the clotted blood in the cavity from which the tooth was extracted, promoting dry alveolitis. Also, if you engage in strenuous activities as soon as you get out of a long rest period, you risk over-straining.
- If intense sport or physical exertion is part of your lifestyle, gradually regain this level of intensity.
Step 5. Brush your teeth 24 hours after extraction
Your dentist will probably advise you against brushing your teeth in the first 24 hours. However, after this time limit, you can resume your normal oral hygiene routine, as long as no complications have arisen. Brush more gently than usual, avoiding the extraction site.
- Create a saline solution by mixing one teaspoon of salt in 240ml of warm water. Do the rinses at least 5-6 times a day, especially after meals, unless otherwise instructed by the dentist.
- When you rinse your mouth, don't gargle or spit the solution violently, otherwise you risk removing the clotted blood. Instead, gently shake it in your mouth for a few minutes, then open your mouth and gently pour it into the sink.
Step 6. Wait at least 72 hours before smoking
You may suffer from dry alveolitis if you smoke immediately after the extraction. Try to wait at least 72 hours, if not more. The ideal would be to hold out for 2 weeks, or even stop completely.
- When you smoke, the suction movement made by the lips creates a vacuum in the mouth that can remove coagulated blood. In addition, the chemicals that are inhaled can lead to complications.
- Since nicotine is an anticoagulant, combined with the movement of the suction it can promote bleeding at the incision site.
Step 7. Return to the dentist if necessary
Depending on the extent of the surgery and the progress of the healing process, you may need to see your dentist. If complications have arisen during your recovery, such as severe bleeding, pain, or swelling, your dentist may schedule other appointments.
If he sutured the wound, you will likely need to come back to remove the stitches. However, many dentists use absorbable stitches
Step 8. Avoid sun exposure if you have bruises or bruises
It is normal for bruises to form around the jaw after wisdom tooth extraction, but they should disappear within a couple of weeks. Sun exposure during this time can weaken the skin and make the appearance of the trauma worse.
Moist heat can be effective against bruising or bruising. However, do not resort to this method for the first 36 hours
Advice
- It is normal for the body temperature to rise slightly after extraction. However, if it rises or continues to hold high for more than a few hours, contact your dentist immediately.
- Ask someone to stand by you for the first 24 hours. Later you will be able to take care of yourself.
- Movies, books, and video games are a great way to keep yourself busy while healing. Get a variety of pastimes in case you feel restless. Recovery can also be a good opportunity to watch several seasons of your favorite TV series.
Warnings
- This article provides general information only. Each person is different. If your dentist instructs you to do something that contradicts what you have read so far or what a friend or family member has told you, follow their instructions.
- If the clotted blood is removed, it can result in dry alveolitis. This inflammation affects 5-10% of patients who have a wisdom tooth extracted and causes severe and persistent pain. If you suspect that you are suffering from it, contact your dentist immediately so that an appointment can be made to irrigate the infected socket.
