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What do I do after my wisdom teeth are removed?

Dr Bill Kalis — Monday September 30, 2024

Hello, Dr. Bill here from Padstow Dental.

Wisdom teeth removal is a significant surgery that takes place for 60-85% of the population. It is important to take care of the affected area in order to minimise pain, discomfort and eliminate the chance of infection. 

The first step to recovery, as in most cases, is rest. Rest is important to your body especially after undergoing such a major procedure. Whether it’s by sleeping or taking it easy, you must make sure you rest in order to rejuvenate your body. Sleeping with your head elevated is also a good idea as it helps to reduce swelling

Within the first 24 hours of the surgery, it is a good idea to avoid hot foods as it can irritate the area. Over the next 5-7 days it is also a good idea to stick to liquids or soft foods. Smoking,vaping and alcohol consumption will delay the healing of the area and are  things you should avoid for the same period. You should maintain daily brushing of your teeth but avoid brushing directly over the surgical sites or where there are stitches for 10-14 days. In the interim an antibacterial mouthwash or salty mouth rinses will help to maintain the surgical sites

During the recovery period you may experience oozing. Do not be alarmed, this is normal and can be controlled by the use of gauze packs. Gauze packs are supplied by your dentist and are used by biting down on them, applying pressure to the extraction site.

Swelling is another by-product of the surgery and is something that can be easily treated. Swelling around your eyes, cheeks and mouth is not uncommon and is expected. Swelling can take some time to become fully apparent as it generally doesn’t reach its maximum point until 2-3 days after the operation. Ice packs applied on the side of your face near the area of the operation will help reduce swelling and should be applied using a ’15 minutes on and 15 minutes off’ method in the first three days.

Numbness can occur for up to 8 hours after, however in extreme cases it can last longer. In this case you should seek your dentist’s advice. If you require pain medication it is supplied in order to help you through the recovery process. You should remain careful as it can make you feel sleepy, try to avoid the operation of heavy machinery. The pain should subside as the days go by, with the worst of it happening during the first couple days. If pain worsens or persists, contact your dentist for further advice.

Please ensure you take all medication as directed.

There is nothing to be scared of as we’ll take care of anything that come up – so give us a call and book an appointment today and get your wisdom teeth checked at Padstow Dental Centre if you are concerned.

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1 minute walk from Padstow Station
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