Tips for Recovering From Wisdom Teeth Extractions

Extracting teeth is usually a last resort for dentists in NW Calgary, but wisdom teeth often present the exception to that general rule. Many dentists recommend that wisdom teeth — molars that emerge in your late teens and early twenties but that you really don’t need — be removed before they interfere with your existing teeth. If they have arrived and are presenting problems, extractions may be necessary to avoid serious complications. Wisdom tooth removal in NW Calgary is a routine procedure for dentists, but understandably stressful for patients. The development of complications following a wisdom tooth extraction is rare, but possible. Here are five guidelines to follow to ensure that you recover from surgery quickly and completely without any complications.

Rest as much as possible

For 48 hours after your surgery, avoid any strenuous exercise that will increase your heart rate. Exercising too strenuously during the early stages of your recovery will increase the risk of swelling, excessive bleeding and pain. As you are resting, keep your head elevated with an extra pillow. 

Sedentary activity will be safe immediately after surgery, but you may experience soreness and pain in your jaw in the earliest stages of recovery. For that reason, our best advice is to take a couple of days off work after a wisdom tooth extraction. If you work in an entirely sedentary position, though, your time off need only be minimal. 

Take medications as directed

Your dentist in NW Calgary may prescribe one or two types of medications: pain medication and antibiotics. Be sure to take those medications precisely as directed. On this topic, don’t hesitate to talk to your dentist if you have had any negative experiences with pain medication in the past or are concerned about taking any medication. It’s also essential that you tell your dentist about any allergies you have to medication. 

Eat just soft foods for a while

Until your dentist tells you that you can start eating hard food, eat just soft foods that you don’t need to chew. Good options for eating until you’re ready to eat chewy, hard or crunchy things are foods and drinks such as ice cream, milkshakes, pudding, smoothies, meal replacement shakes, soup, applesauce and canned fruit, mashed potatoes and fish. 

Protect your clot

Before you leave the office of your dentist in NW Calgary, your dentist’s staff will ensure that a blood clot has formed in each extraction site. It is essential to avoid disturbing or dislodging that clot during your recovery period. That clot protects the nerves and tissue inside your jaw from exposure and from infection. If the clot is dislodged from any extraction site, you may experience a painful condition called dry socket. 

To avoid disturbing the blood clot and suffering from dry socket, avoid any activity that will create any suction in your mouth. Dangerous habits to be avoided include things like: spitting, drinking from a straw, smoking and rinsing your mouth too vigorously after brushing your teeth. Another important reason to avoid smoking during the recovery period is because smoking slows your body’s ability to heal. 

Rinse with salted water

Although you should avoid rinsing your mouth vigorously in order to avoid disturbing your clots, rinsing your mouth during the week after undergoing wisdom tooth removal near you is a good idea. To ease any discomfort experienced by the soft tissues in your mouth, to remove bacteria and food particles and to help reduce the risk of infection, rinse your mouth with warm salted water. Simply dissolve one-half of a teaspoon of salt in a cup of warm water, then swish the water gently in your mouth for 10 seconds before letting the water fall from your mouth — Let it fall. Don’t spit. 

By following these guidelines and the post-operative recovery instructions that your dentist’s staff will give you, you will recover fully from your procedure as quickly as possible. If at any time during your recovery period you experience any unexpected or worsening symptoms, don’t hesitate to contact a dentist near you. Unusual symptoms could indicate unexpected concerns that need a timely response from your dentist.