Having your wisdom teeth extracted can be a frightening experience, but it’s a fairly straightforward procedure. Anesthesia will be applied to numb your gums and minimize pain, your dentist will make incisions to extract the teeth, then clean the socket and sew it up. The recovery period is usually about one to two weeks, which will pass by sooner than expected.
With that said, there are precautions that you will have to follow to make sure that recovery goes smoothly. Your mouth will be very sensitive for the time being, so it’s important to treat it accordingly so as to not interrupt the healing process.
Here are three things to keep in mind after oral surgery:
Eat the Right Food
Allowing your mouth to heal from teeth extraction means eating food that won’t irritate it. These types of food are usually soft and easy to swallow to discourage chewing, as your jaws need to rest and heal. It also prevents you from using the back of your mouth to mash the food into pieces that are easier to swallow.
Luckily, there are plenty of delicious soft foods that you can eat post-surgery. Apple sauce, soft and smooth in texture, is a flavorful snack to keep you sated in the meantime. If you want something sweet, ice cream is the go-to food for many patients after surgery. As it’s cold, smooth, and soft, it’s the perfect way to soothe any pain from the wounds while filling your stomach. However, the ice cream should be plain and without toppings to avoid any irritation of the wound.
Soup is a more nutritious food to eat while recovering from surgery. Just like ice cream, though, it shouldn’t have any solid particles that would require you to masticate. Sticking to soft food like yogurt and mashed potatoes will make sure you’re well-fed without impeding the healing process. Otherwise, if you eat food like rice and meat, you risk bits of your meal entering your wound, which will cause a painful infection.
Clean the Extraction Site
Making sure your wound is clean is integral to its recovery. Right after surgery, you’ll have to avoid brushing your teeth for twenty-four hours to allow your wound to settle and begin healing. When you start brushing your teeth again, be very gentle in the operated area. Another way to keep the site clean is to carefully rinse your mouth after each meal or as directed by your dentist, which will help expel any leftover food.
Aside from keeping it clean, taking care of the extraction site will prevent dry socket, which is what happens with the post-surgical blood clot dissolves, thus exposing your wound. This can be very painful and lead to infection. Maintaining good oral hygiene is key to preventing this.
Get Plenty of Rest
Like with all other surgeries, getting plenty of rest is crucial to a smooth recovery period. Avoid strenuous activities for a week or two, as this might risk jaw movement that will reopen the wound or other injuries that will complicate the healing process. Staying in bed or in a comfortable position throughout the duration of your post-surgery recuperation will allow your body to focus on reducing the swelling and encourage faster healing.
Conclusion
With these three things in mind, you’ll be able to make wise decisions to make sure you recover properly and smoothly after surgery. Infections from improperly treated wounds can be very painful, so eating the right food, keeping it clean, and getting sufficient bed rest is key to a successful post-surgery period.
Are you looking for a qualified family dentist in Chattanooga to help you or your child with wisdom teeth extraction? Give us a call at Shallowford Family Dental Group! We are a team of dental professionals who are committed to serving our patients with dedication and care. Get in touch with us today!