After Wisdom Tooth Removal

Post Operative Pain

  • Pain and stiffness should be expected for 7 to 10 days, especially if the surgery was difficult.
  • Take the first dose of pain Medication before the numbness wears off – it is easier to stay ahead of the pain than to catch up with it.
  • Take medications with food to prevent stomach discomfort.
  • Take 800mg of Ibuprofen every six hours (four of the over-the-counter tablets), in addition to the pain medicine, unless instructed not to, or you cannot take Ibuprofen (Motrin).

Bleeding/Bruising

  • Apply firm pressure by biting hard on gauze for one hour. Ensure the gauze is directly over the socket, placing pressure at the extraction site, and not just between the teeth.
  • Bleeding will usually stop in about an hour or two.
  • Replace gauze after one hour if more than a little bleeding is still present. Bite hard on the gauze.
  • Oozing blood for about 24 hours is normal.

Protecting blood clots to prevent dry socket.

  • A blood clot must form and remain in the socket for healing to occur.
  • Do not rinse VIGOROUSLY or spit for 72 hours after surgery. Gentle rinsing for the first 72 hours is good.
  • If you were given a prescription for a mouth rinse, start using it the same evening as surgery.
  • Avoid carbonated beverages for 7 days.
  • Be gentle with your toothbrush near surgical site(s), but do not avoid the sites.
  • Avoid forming suction in your mouth, such as sucking on straws, hard candy, or cigarettes.

Smoking/Tobacco Use

  • Avoid smoking for at least five days. Longer would be better.
  • Do not chew tobacco for one week.
  • Smoking greatly increases the chances of postoperative problems such as dry socket, pain, and infection.

Eating/Drinking

  • Hydration is very important to the healing process. Even if you do not feel like eating, keep drinking plenty of fluids.
  • DO NOT DRINK ALCOHOL for five days. Or when taking pain medications.

Alcohol dissolves the blood clot which may result in a very painful dry socket.

  • Taking medications with food will help to avoid nausea or vomiting.
  • Eat soft foods and small bites for a few days. Avoid foods that break up into small, sharp, hard pieces.

Surgical Sites

  • Sockets will usually remain open for about 3 weeks.
  • Avoid inserting anything into sockets, including your tongue or toothbrush.
  • Brushing around sites is good. Be gentle if the area is tender, but do not be scared to brush around the area.

Swelling

  • Expect swelling, especially if the surgery was difficult – beginning about 48 hours after surgery.

Pain and swelling are usually the worst on the 3rd day (72 hours) after surgery.

  • Apply ice to cheeks as soon as possible, after Surgery. For the first three days – place ice on cheeks for 20 minutes, then remove for 20 minutes, on each affected side.  Use as often as possible.
  • Keep head elevated when resting or sleeping – use extra pillows to elevate your head, or sleep in a recliner the first 72 hours.
  • After the first 72 hours, switch to warm, moist heat instead of ice.
  • Keep jaw muscles as active as possible to avoid stiffness.

Oral Hygiene

  • A clean mouth is a healthy mouth and will improve healing.
  • Begin brushing normally, the evening of surgery, while being gentle at the surgical sites.
  • Rinse mouth each time after eating for the first two weeks.
  • Causing a little bleeding while brushing is often normal for the first few days.
  • Start using the mouth rinse prescription and taking medications the same day as the surgery.
  • After the first 72 hours, you can begin using the provided plastic syringe to rinse out the sockets after eating, if you seem to be trapping food in the areas. Use tap water, warm salt water, or a 50/50 mix of the mouth rinse and water.  Gently insert the tip of the syringe into the sockets and flush out the sockets until food debris no longer comes out.  This can be done a few times per day to help keep them clean until the sockets are closed.

Stitches

  • If sutures were used, they would dissolve in about one week and do not need to be removed unless specified by your surgeon.
  • If stitches fall out early after third molar surgery, there is no need to worry.

Report any unusual occurrences!

  • Large amounts of bleeding.
  • Pain that persists more than 7 – 10 days or increases after 4 days.
  • Unusual reaction to medications.

Proper Mouth care and following instructions after surgery will speed healing and reduce pain and complications.  Pain after surgery is normal and should be expected.

For urgent concerns or questions after hours, call the office and leave a message.  Your call will be returned as soon as possible.  Clarksville Office Phone Number 931-999-7100.  For true emergencies, call 911 or go to an emergency room.