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If you read part one of this blog series, you know how to control bleeding after wisdom tooth removal surgery, as well as the importance of staying hydrated and taking your medication. Here, our dentists will provide a few more tips to get you on the fast track to recovery in the days after your oral surgery. Contact Trillium Dental in Ottawa if you have specific questions about our wisdom tooth extractions, or schedule an appointment today at our family dental clinic!

HOME RECOVERY

RESTRICT ACTIVITY

As mentioned in our last blog post, you’ll need to take a few days to recover without any vigorous activity or exercise after your surgery. This allows your body to focus on healing the surgical site, which should only take a few days. During this time, watch all your favorite movies, get lots of rest, and only move around when necessary. Most people take three to four days off work after their wisdom tooth removal so they can recover fully before returning to normal activities.

STAY AWAY FROM SOLID FOODS

It is essential to stay away from solid foods during your wisdom tooth recovery, as hard foods that require lots of chewing can prolong the healing process. Smoothies, protein shakes, soup, and yogurt are all great foods to eat after your surgery, as are applesauce, scrambled eggs, mashed potatoes, and ice cream. If you’re drinking lots of smoothies, juices, and shakes, make sure to drink directly out of the glass instead of using a straw, which can cause the blood clots to dislodge and restart the healing process. Trust us — wisdom tooth dry sockets are not something to gamble with!

RINSE YOUR MOUTH (BUT NOT TOO MUCH)

Cleanliness is also critical for a speedy wisdom tooth recovery. After you eat, gently clean the area with a cup of warm salt water, or rinse out the surgical site with a water syringe. Make sure you get any food out of the crevices without swishing the water too vigorously, as this can cause dry sockets as well. Ideally, you should be rinsing your mouth at least five times per day to keep the area as clean as possible and avoid wisdom tooth infections. Also, make sure you’re still brushing your teeth to eliminate any bad mouth bacteria, just do so gently and make sure to avoid the stitches behind your back molars.

USE AN ICE PACK

Many patients experience swelling after wisdom tooth extraction, which can be reduced with regular icing and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like iBuprofen. Mild bruising is also expected, which is just part of the body’s natural healing process. To avoid too much swelling and bruising, ice constantly for the first two days after your wisdom tooth removal, and take iBuprofen as needed.

SCHEDULE YOUR WISDOM TOOTH EXTRACTION IN OTTAWA

Now that you have a few tips to help you speed up your wisdom tooth recovery, it’s time to schedule your appointment. Contact Trillium Dental for more information about wisdom tooth extractions, or book your appointment with us online!

Wisdom tooth removal is a right of passage that many teens and young adults must go through, though it isn’t the most fun transition into adulthood. In fact, many people dread wisdom tooth extractions, partly due to the anesthesia, and partially because of the recovery period. We’ll be the first to say that wisdom tooth removal isn’t always a walk in the park, but there are many things you can do to help speed up your recovery post-surgery.

At Trillium Dental in Ottawa, our oral surgeons perform wisdom tooth extractions and provide patients with all the materials they need for wisdom tooth removal aftercare. Here are a few aftercare tips to ensure a speedy recovery after your wisdom tooth removal:

IMMEDIATELY AFTER SURGERY

CONTROL BLEEDING

When you come out of wisdom tooth surgery, it is completely normal to experience some bleeding for the next few hours. However, you may still be in a state of confusion until the anesthesia completely wears off, so make sure not to mess with the gauze. You also won’t be able to drive, so arrange for a friend or family member to transport you to and from your appointment. They’ll know to watch and make sure you don’t fuss with the gauze, as well as what to do if the bleeding gets worse.

Bleeding tends to worsen if the patient chews on the gauze in their mouth, and this also increases the risk of injury to the numb areas of the mouth. To avoid excessive bleeding, refrain from chewing on the gauze or exploring the surgical site with your tongue. If bleeding becomes worse, switch out the gauze and bite down on it for half an hour. Exercise or excessive movement also stimulates blood flow, so these activities should be avoided for several days.

STAY HYDRATED

It is also very important to drink lots of water after you come out of anesthesia because you are likely to be dehydrated and feel dizzy. Patients are prohibited from eating or drinking any liquids eight hours before their wisdom tooth extraction, as nausea and vomiting are two common side effects of general anesthesia as well as many of the pain medications that are prescribed post-surgery. If you feel nauseous or dizzy, sip on some ginger ale, soda, or tea, and avoid drinking out of a straw — this can cause blood clots to be dislodged, creating the dreaded wisdom tooth dry sockets.

TAKE PAIN MEDICATION & ANTIBIOTICS

Another thing to be wary of is that the pain following wisdom tooth removals can creep up on patients, hitting them suddenly when the anesthesia wears off. To avoid this, our dentists recommend picking up your pain medication from the pharmacy on your way home from our dental clinic. That way, you can take a pill and settle into your couch or bed before you feel any discomfort. Antibiotics are also prescribed to prevent wisdom tooth infections, which can be very painful and unpleasant. If you are prescribed antibiotics, take them as directed on the label and be sure to finish out the medication.

SCHEDULE A WISDOM TOOTH REMOVAL IN OTTAWA

Wondering what tips we have for the days following your wisdom tooth extraction? Continue to part two of this blog series, or contact Trillium Dental to schedule your wisdom tooth removal in Ottawa!