Wisdom Tooth Extraction Care

How to take care of your Wisdom Tooth After Removal?

The removal of impacted teeth is a serious surgical procedure.

Post-operative care is very important. Unnecessary pain and complications such as infection and swelling can be minimized if these instructions are followed carefully.

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Immediately Following Surgery

  • The gauze pad placed over the surgical area should be kept in place for a half-hour. After this time, the gauze pad should be removed and discarded.
  • Vigorous mouth rinsing and/or touching the wound area following surgery should be avoided.
  • Take the prescribed pain medications as soon as you begin to feel discomfort.
  • Restrict your activities on the day of surgery and resume normal activity when you feel comfortable.
  • Place ice packs to the sides of your face where surgery was performed.

Is it Normal to Bleed After Wisdom Tooth Surgery?

A certain amount of bleeding is to be expected following surgery. Slight bleeding, oozing, or redness in the saliva is not uncommon.

To control excessive bleeding:

  • First, rinse or wipe any old clots from your mouth
  • Then place a gauze pad over the area and bite firmly for thirty minutes

Repeat if necessary. If bleeding continues, bite on a moistened black tea bag for thirty minutes.

Swelling

The swelling that is normally expected is usually proportional to the surgery involved.

Swelling around the mouth, cheeks, eyes, and sides of the face is not uncommon. The swelling will become apparent until the day after the surgery and will not reach its maximum until 2-3 days post-operatively.

Discoloration

In some cases, discoloration of the skin follows swelling.

The development of black, blue, green, or yellow discoloration is due to blood spreading beneath the tissues. This is a normal post-operative occurrence, which may occur 2-3 days post-operatively. Moist heat applied to the area may speed up the removal of the discoloration.

Pain

For severe pain, the prescribed medication should be taken as directed.

Do not drive an automobile or work around machinery. Avoid alcoholic beverages and exercise.

Pain or discomfort following surgery should subside more and more every day. If pain persists, it may require attention and you should call the office.

CAUTION: If you suddenly sit up or stand from a lying position you may become dizzy. If you are lying down following surgery, make sure you sit up for one minute before standing.

Antibiotics

If you have been placed on antibiotics, take the tablets or liquid as directed. Antibiotics will be given to help prevent infection.

Discontinue antibiotic use in the event of a rash or any other unfavorable reaction and contact our office immediately. Call the office if you have any questions.

Other Complications

  • If numbness of the lip, chin, or tongue occurs there is no cause for alarm. As reviewed in your consultation, this is usually temporary in nature.
  • Slight elevation of temperature immediately following surgery is not uncommon. If the temperature persists, notify the office. Tylenol or ibuprofen should be taken to reduce the fever.
  • You should be careful going from the lying down position to standing. You could get lightheaded from low blood sugar or medications.
  • Occasionally, patients may feel hard projections in the mouth with their tongue. They are not roots; they are the bony walls that supported the tooth. These projections usually smooth out spontaneously. If not, they can be removed by Dr. Cruz.
  • If the corners of your mouth are stretched, they may dry out and crack. Your lips should be kept moist with an ointment such as vaseline or chapstick.
  • Sore throats and pain when swallowing are not uncommon.
  • Stiffness of the jaw muscles may cause difficulty in opening your mouth for a few days following surgery. This is a normal post-operative event that will resolve in time.

Finally

Sutures are placed in the area of surgery to minimize post-operative bleeding and to help to heal.

Sometimes they become dislodged. This is no cause for alarm. Just remove the suture from your mouth and discard it.

The sutures will dissolve on their own approximately one week after surgery.

There will be a void where the tooth was removed.

The void will fill in with new tissue gradually over the next month. In the meantime, the area should be kept clean, especially after meals, with salt water rinses or a toothbrush.

Your case is unique, no two mouths are alike. Discuss any problems with the trained experts best able to effectively help you: Dr. Cruz or your family dentist.

Have Further Questions?

Call us: 956-627-3556