How to Care After Wisdom Tooth Surgery

What is an impacted wisdom tooth?

The impacted wisdom tooth is one of the types of wisdom tooth growth models known as the hidden wisdom tooth because it is hidden under the gum tissue and stuck inside the jaw bone.

The wisdom impacted at the end of the row of teeth, where the two jaws connect, grows in the place where the teeth grow.

In the process of growing tall and coming out of the gum for various reasons, such as growth problems, genetics, the smallness of the jaw bone, etc., there is a deviation, and it gets stuck inside the gums and causes problems for the patient.

How is the wisdom tooth surgery performed?

Impacted wisdom tooth surgery is one of the simplest specialized operations in the medical world, which can be performed on an outpatient basis in only 15 to 45 minutes.

The dentist removes the impacted wisdom tooth after making an incision on the gum and examining its dimensions and structure, either removing it whole or in pieces.

Finally, the Dentist completes the work by suturing the surgical tissue. 

How do you avoid surgery complications?
Wisdom tooth surgery, although usually safe, may cause complications such as infection, dry socket, or severe swelling if proper care is not followed. To prevent these complications, it is necessary to observe several points:

1. Regular use of drugs: Take prescribed antibiotics and painkillers on time.
2. Adequate rest: Avoid heavy activities and sports for at least 48 hours after surgery.
3. Avoid irritation of the surgical site: Do not touch the surgical site with your tongue or fingers, and avoid sucking or using a straw.
4. Maintain oral hygiene: For the first few days, rinse your mouth with lukewarm salt water and avoid brushing your teeth in the surgical area.
5. FOLLOW DOCTOR’S ORDERS: Follow any special instructions or instructions given to you by your doctor strictly.

Following these recommendations will help reduce the possibility of complications and speed up the healing process.

Wisdom Teeth Removal Aftercare

During the recovery period after wisdom tooth extraction, the blood clot in the wound should never be moved, especially in the first 24 hours. Clot movement or improper formation can cause many problems, including dry sockets.
Dry mouth is one of the most common complications after dental surgery, usually occurring 3 to 5 days after surgery.

How do you reduce pain and swelling?

After wisdom tooth surgery, pain and swelling are normal, but they can be minimized with the following measures:

1. Using a cold compress: Place the cold compress on your cheek and in the area close to the surgery. This will help reduce swelling and pain.
2. Use painkillers to control pain as the dentist prescribes.
3. Keeping the head up: When sleeping, place your head above the body level to prevent blood pooling and swelling.
4. Avoidance of hard foods: Eat soft foods and liquids to prevent the surgical site from being irritated.
5. Enough Rest: Your body needs rest to heal. Avoid strenuous activities.

These methods will help you to go through the recovery period with the least discomfort.

After Wisdom Teeth Removal

What points should be observed after wisdom tooth surgery?

The amount of attention paid to the care recommendations after wisdom tooth surgery will have an extremely high impact on the outcome of your treatment.

If you’d like to be less involved in troublesome complications after wisdom tooth surgery, please pay attention to the following essential care points after wisdom tooth surgery.

13 Care Tips About Wisdom Teeth Removal Post Op

1. Pressing gas on the surgical site for 2-3 hours
2. Using a cold compress to reduce swelling and pain
3. Regular use of prescribed medications
4. Consuming soft foods
5. Avoid eating and drinking hot foods for 3 to 5 days after the operation
6. No pressure with your mouth by laughing and talking for a long time
7. Avoid spitting
8. Avoiding physical activity and heavy exercise
9. Mouthwash with water and salt
10. No use of straw
11. Keeping the head higher than the body in a semi-extended position
12. Avoid chewing and biting hard foods
13. Not biting the lips and mouth after surgery

Conclusion

If the wisdom tooth is deviated and crooked during the growth process, gets stuck in the gum tissue, and does not become visible, it is called a hidden wisdom tooth. A wisdom tooth hidden inside the gum causes a lot of trouble for patients, so it should be removed before severe problems such as Infection and damage to adjacent teeth are treated.

If you have additional questions or need a consultation, the team at Beach Cities Dentistry is here to help. Schedule an appointment today to discuss your dental needs and receive expert guidance.

FAQ

1. Is there a risk of infection after wisdom tooth removal?
   Yes, there is a chance of infection after wisdom tooth surgery, but this risk can be minimized by following post-operative care instructions carefully and taking prescribed medications. To prevent infection, rinse your mouth with salt water regularly and avoid touching the surgical area with your tongue or fingers.

2. How long does it take for the pain to subside after surgery?
   Typically, pain begins to decrease within 2 to 3 days after surgery. Taking prescribed pain relievers and applying a cold compress to the area can help manage pain. Please contact Beach Cities Dentistry if the pain worsens or continues beyond a week.

3. How long is wisdom teeth removal recovery? When can I return to my normal daily activities?
   Most people can resume normal activities within 2 to 3 days after surgery, although full recovery, including the reduction of swelling and bruising, may take one to two weeks. It’s recommended to avoid strenuous activities until your dentist gives the green light.

4. What foods can I eat after wisdom teeth removal?
   Soft and liquid foods like soup, mashed potatoes, yogurt, smoothies, and juice are ideal after surgery. Avoid hard, chewy foods that may pressure the surgical area, and avoid hot drinks and spicy foods.

5. Why should I avoid using a straw after surgery?
   Using a straw creates negative pressure in the mouth, which can dislodge blood clots from the surgical site, potentially leading to a painful condition called “dry socket.” Avoiding straws helps prevent this complication and speeds up recovery.

6. Can I brush my teeth right after surgery?
   No, it’s best to avoid brushing the surgical area for the first 24 hours post-surgery. After this period, you can gently brush your teeth but avoid applying pressure to the surgical site.

7. When should I revisit my dentist after surgery?
   Your dentist typically recommends a follow-up appointment about a week after surgery to check on the healing progress and remove stitches if necessary. Please contact Beach Cities Dentistry sooner if you experience severe pain, fever, or unusual swelling.

8. How long does wisdom tooth surgery take?
   Impacted wisdom tooth surgery is considered one of the shortest medical operations in the world and usually takes between 15 and 45 minutes. However, the severity of the problem and the complexity of the placement of the implanted wisdom tooth inside the patient’s jawbone make it more complicated and take longer.

9. Does wisdom tooth surgery hurt?
   Before starting the surgical procedure, the dentist injects an anesthetic into the surgical site. Therefore, you will not feel any pain during the surgery and removal of the wisdom tooth, which is possible only after the operation is finished and the anesthesia wears off. Feel mild, that these types of pain are not annoying and can be controlled with regular painkillers.

10. Is wisdom tooth surgery necessary?
    Not all patients are required to perform impacted wisdom tooth surgery. Suppose the impacted wisdom tooth has caused troublesome complications for the patient, such as the risk of damage to the roots of adjacent teeth, the production of infection, annoying throbbing pains, etc. In that case, the specialist dentist will perform He suggests surgery.

11. What is Pericoronitis?

    Pericoronitis is a dental condition characterized by the inflammation and infection of the soft tissues surrounding a partially erupted tooth.

    This issue typically affects wisdom teeth (third molars) that have not fully erupted due to lack of space or improper alignment, when part of the tooth remains covered by gum tissue, a flap (called an operculum) forms, creating an ideal space for food particles and bacteria to collect, leading to infection.

    Depending on the extent of the inflammation and infection, the condition can manifest as mild discomfort or severe pain. Pericoronitis can be acute (short-term and painful) or chronic (persistent with milder symptoms).

    Without timely treatment, the infection may spread to nearby tissues or other body areas. Proper oral hygiene, regular dental visits, and monitoring the growth of wisdom teeth can help reduce the risk of pericoronitis.