How To Care for Your Mouth After Wisdom Teeth Extraction

Caring for your mouth after wisdom teeth extraction is essential to promote rapid and complete healing and prevent complications. Here are some homecare tips to follow:

Be gentle
Avoid probing the surgical area with your fingers or tongue.

Apply cold packs
To minimise swelling and discomfort, apply an ice pack or a cold compress intermittently (20 mins on : 20 mins off, over 24 hours) to the outside of your face over the surgical area(s).

Take prescribed medications
Follow your dentist’s instructions regarding prescribed medications, such as pain relievers, anti-inflammatories, and antibiotics.

Manage pain
Over-the-counter pain relievers such as panadol and ibuprofen can help manage pain. Follow the recommended dosage and frequency provided by your dentist.

Rinse with saltwater
Keep this to a bare minimum on day 1, but from 12 hours to 2 weeks post-operatively, gently rinse your mouth with warm saltwater. Mix half a teaspoon of salt in half a cup of warm water. Rinse gently for about 10 seconds, then spit out the solution.

Maintain oral hygiene
While being very gentle around the surgical area, continue to brush your teeth carefully and gently with a soft-bristle toothbrush.

Stick to soft foods
For the first few days, eat soft and cool foods that won’t irritate the surgical area. Mashed potatoes, cool soups, yoghurt and milkshakes are great options. You can also treat yourself to some soft serve ice cream directly after extraction. This will not only soothe inflamed tissue but also aid in faster healing. Gradually introduce more solid foods as you heal, but continue to avoid hard, chewy, or spicy foods that can disturb the extraction site.

Avoid straws
Avoid drinking through a straw, as the suction can dislodge blood clots and delay healing.

Rest and take it easy
Allow yourself time to rest and avoid strenuous activities. Increased heart rate and blood pressure can dislodge a blood clot and cause bleeding.

Stop smoking, and consuming alcohol
Smoking and consuming alcohol after wisdom teeth removal will significantly delay the healing process and increase the discomfort and potential for infection.

Learn about potential complications like dry socket
Dry socket occurs when the blood clot that forms after a tooth extraction becomes dislodged or dissolves prematurely, leaving the underlying bone exposed. This is often very painful and delays the healing process. It will present as a dull / throbbing ache around 3-4 days after surgery. Our experienced dentists can provide effective treatment options to promote the formation of a new blood clot and alleviate discomfort.

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Our dentists are experts in wisdom teeth removal. Just give the clinic a call on 07-858 0750 to book in for an examination.