Wisdom Teeth Surgery: The Do’s & Don’ts
Most people will have to have their wisdom teeth removed to avoid oral complications they can create, usually facing removal surgery around the age of 16-25.
It may be a frightening experience to face dental surgery–perhaps the first surgical procedure you have had to face. Here at St. George, wisdom teeth removal is what we do so you can be assured, your health and safety, your healing time, and comfort are a top priority.
With some preparation, good dental care, and planning, you can make it as painless an experience as possible. It is crucial to follow your dental surgeon’s advice and recommendations as this is a surgical procedure, and the better you heal, the less physical pain you will have to endure.
Here are some do’s and don’ts that will help you to prepare for and heal from your wisdom teeth removal:
Do
- Use proper brushing and flossing techniques to keep your existing teeth healthy.–When Should You Have Your Wisdom Teeth Removed?
- Have regular dental care so that removal of your wisdom teeth, if needed, can be planned for in advance–before there are problems.
- Having your wisdom teeth removed at an earlier age prevents full development of the roots of the wisdom teeth. This will allow for easier removal and quicker healing time following your surgery.
- Secure adequate financing or payment structure to cover the costs of your surgery.
- Discuss pain management with your dental surgeon.
- Follow all post-surgical care directives from your dental surgeon.
- Use an ice pack to curb swelling.
- Use pain medications AS DIRECTED.
- Use moist heat on your face for a sore jaw at least 36 hours after your surgery.– WebMD
- Eat soft foods or liquid meals.
- Drink plenty of fluids.
- Be gentle with chewing, swishing, or rinsing your mouth.
- Start brushing your teeth the second day. Don’t brush any blood clots.–WebMD
- Call your doctor if you have a fever, or if your pain or swelling doesn’t improve.–WebMD
- Gently open and close your mouth to exercise your jaw and increase mobility.
- Get plenty of rest while your body is healing.
Don’t
- Smoke following your surgery. It can cause healing issues at the wound sites and cause you greater pain.
- Overuse pain medications or take them in a manner that conflicts with your dental surgeon’s recommendations.
- Don’t drink through a straw following your surgery. This may loosen the blood clots and cause extra bleeding and longer healing time.
- Eat hard, crunchy, or sticky foods that may irritate or injure your healing surgical sites.
- Exercise for the few days after your surgery so that you will not loosen the blood clots via the extra blood flow.
- Eat hot foods or drink–this may loosen the blood clotting.
When the time comes to have your wisdom teeth removed, call us at the Oral and Facial Surgery Institute Oral Surgeon St. George Utah to make an appointment for an evaluation. We look forward to serving your oral surgical needs.
