If a dentist advises you to remove the wisdom teeth, there is no need to panic. You will be as happy as you were before after the extraction process. In fact, having the wisdom teeth removed is the best decision when it seems third molars begin to affect your oral health. You will want to make the extraction safe and follow all post-extraction instructions to properly heal and prevent further complications.
Why Post-operative care is Important
Apart from some short-term bleeding, discomfort, and swelling after surgery, most patients get well quickly. The possible surgical complication arises after the extraction could be the dry socket which is though preventable. A dry socket forms when the newly formed blood coat within the socket is dislodged or dissolves exposing bone and nerve endings. The common symptoms of dry socket are the bad breath and bad nasty taste in the mouth and low-grade fever. After removing the wisdom teeth, here are some healing instructions to follow.
Swelling
In case of swelling, it is good to apply ice packs to the outside of mouth occasionally for few days to diminish swelling, bruising or any distress. If your teeth were infected before the removal, the dentist may ask you to use warm, cold compresses instead of ice.
Bleeding
There could be some sort of bleeding you can expect after the removal. Keep a gauze pad on the extraction part for a few minutes after the surgery. Another substitute is to use a dampened tea bag for a few minutes. The tannic acid in the tea bag helps to contract the bleeding vessels which help to set the blood clot.
Mouth Care
Place a limit on eating, talking and drinking for a few hours after the surgery and rest for the remainder of the day. Don’t rinse forcefully or use a straw when drinking. Avoid severe exercise for a few days. As well as avoid smoking and spitting largely on the day of surgery. You can gently rinse your mouth with a diluted mouthwash or do a saltwater rinse. Carefully brush your teeth the night of the surgery, but avoid the surgical area as best you can.
Diet
Once the bleeding stops, drink plenty of water to keep hydrated. Follow the regular meals as advised by your dentist, but start with soft foods and clear liquids. Try to avoid drinking carbonated drinks and foods such as peanuts, popcorn, and pasta that may leave particles in your socket.
Medications
Follow the medication as directed by the dentist. And remember, if you are taking strong pain medication, you will be asked not to have any alcoholic beverages.
When to see your Dentist
You will see improvement on pain and swelling each day and if doesn’t and experience any of the following, you can seek a dentist intervention.
– Worsening of swelling instead of getting better
– Excessive bleeding that won’t diminish with pressure.
– Severe pain three to four days after surgery.
– High fever that persists.
Doesn’t matter the number of wisdom tooth you have, your dentist at Lakewood Dental Smile knows how to get you through this procedure without problems. The dental clinic is exceptional in offering the latest dental procedures ranging from restorative dentistry to cosmetic dentistry to root canal treatments and so at an affordable budget.
