Wisdom Tooth Removal After Care
Most people need to get their wisdom teeth extracted at some point in their life. Wisdom teeth extraction is a dental surgery. Let us take a look at what are the after care steps for wisdom tooth removal.
Immediately following a wisdom teeth extraction, you remain at the dentist office until the effects of the anesthesia have worn off. During this time, you are monitored to ensure that any bleeding has slowed and that the gauze is working sufficiently. So long as it is, you will be sent home to finish your recovery. Just make sure you have someone pick you up so you do not need to drive home on your own. You may need to schedule a follow-up visit with your Pittsburgh dentist who performed the procedure to ensure that you are healing properly. During this visit, you will get the sign off to return to normal eating habits.
At Kaur Dental of Fox Chapel, we tell patients who are planning for an extraction to prepare ahead of time.
After Care Steps - DO's
- You need to rest when you get home, so have your bed ready with plenty of pillows to prop up your head.
- Fill your nightstand with water bottles, additional gauze, ibuprofen, and some good books or movies.
- Plan on taking it easy for the next 48 hours.
- During that time, you may want to eat a lot of popsicles, ice cream, yogurt, warm soup, Jell-O, and other foods that are soft and do not require chewing.
- You will be too sore to try and eat anything else.
- To help control the swelling, you should ice your face for 15 minutes at a time and take ibuprofen around the clock. This should be done for 24 to 48 hours. Afterward, you may still need some ibuprofen, but icing may no longer be necessary.
Gradually, you will be able to add in solid foods and begin to eat like normal. The key is to take it easy and not rush the process. Slowly add soft foods that are easy to chew and work your way up to dining at your favorite Pittsburgh restaurant. It may take up to two weeks to be 100 percent back to normal, so during this time, be sure to avoid any nuts, chips, or foods that could crunch and scratch your gum tissue.
You may need to schedule a follow-up visit with your Pittsburgh dentist who performed the procedure to ensure that you are healing properly. During this visit, you will get the sign off to return to normal eating habits.
After Care Steps - DON'T
It may take up to two weeks to be 100 percent back to normal, so during this time, be sure to avoid any nuts, chips, or foods that could crunch and scratch your gum tissue.
