Serving patients of Erwin, Jonesborough, and Greeneville TN
Although having your wisdom teeth removed may not be on your bucket list of things you want to do in life, it sometimes is a necessary procedure for proper oral health. Therefore, it’s crucial to understand how to care for your mouth and avoid complications for complete healing. Our leading family dentists in Greeneville at Tusculum Dental Care share the five things you need to do after getting your wisdom teeth removed.
- Eating after extractions
Wisdom teeth extractions can cause discomfort and take time to heal. Therefore, our friendly Greeneville dentists provide specific instructions for what food and drinks you should consume and how long to avoid specific foods after your procedure. A basic rule to follow to prevent injury directly after the treatment is to avoid consuming hot food and drinks for up to three hours or until the anesthetic dissipates to prevent burning your mouth.
The first few days following your wisdom teeth extractions, we recommend eating soft or easy-to-chew foods. When eating, take smaller bites and chew slower using your front teeth. Chewing near the back of your mouth could disrupt your stitches or remove the blood clot covering the site. Therefore, avoid chewing on your back teeth for about seven days. Then, you can enjoy a regular diet of crunchy, hard, and chewy foods.
- Get plenty of rest
Patients who have their wisdom teeth removed may take over-the-counter pain medications to ease discomfort. Also, you may notice swelling or bleeding within the first 24-48 hours post-op. You may also taste blood in your mouth, which might prompt you to spit. Our Jonesborough dentists that remove wisdom teeth warn patients should exercise caution when spitting since added pressure could dislodge the blood clot or cause a painful dry socket. Instead of forcefully spitting, lean over the sink and allow your saliva to run out of your mouth, and use a paper towel to absorb the remaining fluid.
Typically, recovery time varies from a few days up to a little over a week. We highly recommend resting for the remainder of the day following your surgery. The following day, you can return to light activities, such as work or school. However, you want to avoid rigorous activities such as cardio exercise or heavy weightlifting. Also, bend at the knees instead of the waist if you need to reach something on the floor or a low shelf.
- Use a salt-water rinse
Our leading wisdom teeth removal dentists in Erwin encourage patients to avoid rinsing their mouth for 24 hours after their procedure. However, it would be best if you continued to brush your teeth as regular, carefully navigating the surgical areas. After 24 hours pass, you can rinse your mouth with a warm salt-water solution to remove food debris after eating and expedite healing. Warm one cup of water, add one teaspoon of table salt and stir until dissolved. Then, slightly swish the solution around your mouth and allow it to run out of your mouth into the sink while avoiding forceful spitting. The salt-water rinse helps prevent infection while reducing inflammation and bacteria.
- Elevate your head
Taking precautions to prevent hemorrhaging or excessive bleeding is necessary. Our Greeneville extraction dentists recommend elevating your head while lying down or sleeping for the first two to three days. Add a few pillows to angle your upper body as close to 45-degrees as possible. Lying in a recliner also works.
- Book a follow-up appointment
It’s crucial to schedule a follow-up appointment before you leave our Jonesboro dental office. The appointment is to ensure proper healing with no infection signs. Contact our office for immediate instructions if you experience excessive bleeding, intense pain that doesn’t stop with over-the-counter pain medications, or severe pain that continues for 48 hours.
Other things to avoid
Smoking and drinking through a straw create pressure in the mouth that could dislodge the blood clot causing a dry socket or infection at the extraction site. Additionally, nicotine impedes healing by slowing blood flow and decreasing blood oxygenation. It’s best to quit smoking at least a couple of weeks before your surgery, and don’t resume smoking afterward.
Wisdom Teeth Removal in Greeneville, Jonesborough, and Erwin, Tennessee
Following the above five things after wisdom teeth extraction can speed healing and prevent infections. Our caring dental staff in Erwin at Tusculum Dental Care work to ensure a smooth process with minimal pain and optimal healing opportunities. If you need your wisdom teeth extracted, call Tusculum Dental Care at (423) 639-7575 today to schedule your appointment or request one online.