Home Care after Wisdom Teeth Removal

Summer is approaching and it’s time for beach vacations and camping trips. It’s also a popular time for getting your wisdom teeth removed. Many high school and college kids choose this time of year to have their wisdom teeth taken out now that school is out and most sports seasons have ended. To ensure that your surgery doesn’t interfere with your summer fun, leading dentists in New Holland suggest the following home care tips:

• In the first 1-2 hours: Keep biting on the gauze pack or switch the gauze out for a moist tea bag to promote blood clotting.
• In the next 24-48 hours: Keep ice over the surgical site while you are awake to minimize or reduce swelling. Apply firm pressure to the ice pack for 20 minutes and then take a 20 minute break from it. (After 72 hours, switch to a warm compress if necessary).
• In the first 24 hours: A responsible adult should be available for assistance. Keep the head elevated above the heart to reduce bleeding and swelling.
• After 24 hours: Rinse gently with warm saltwater several times each day, being careful to avoid swishing too vigorously and disrupting the blood clot.
• In the first two days: Slight bleeding and occasional oozing at the surgical site is normal within the first 24-48 hours after surgery.
• On the third day: Swelling usually peaks on this day, but the effects can be minimized by following the preceding instructions and any additional advice that the dentist has provided.

Here’s what you should avoid for the first 72 hours:

• Straws- the suction can trigger more bleeding and dislodge the blood clot.
• Tobacco- in all forms, tobacco can decrease the healing potential of the surgical site.
• Strenuous exercise- any activity that raises your heart rate or increases you blood pressure can also increase your risk for bleeding.

For more information, or to schedule your wisdom teeth extraction, contact a New Holland dentist today.