After Wisdom Tooth Removal

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After Wisdom Tooth Removal

The removal of impacted teeth is a serious surgical procedure. Post-operative care is very important. Unnecessary pain and the complications of infection and swelling can be minimized if the instructions are followed carefully.


Immediately Following Surgery

The gauze pad placed over the surgical area should be kept in place for a half-hour. After this time, the gauze pad should be removed and discarded.  If bleeding persists, a new damp gauze pad should be placed at the site.

Vigorous mouth rinsing or touching the wound area following surgery should be avoided. This may initiate bleeding by causing the blood clot that has formed to become dislodged.

Take the prescribed pain medications as directed. Discomfort will usually coincide with the local anesthetic becoming diminished.

Restrict your activities the day of surgery and resume normal activity when you feel comfortable.

Place ice packs to the sides of your face where surgery was performed. Refer to the section on swelling for explanation.


Bleeding


Swelling


Pain


Diet


Oral Hygiene


Discoloration


Antibiotics


Nausea and Vomiting


Other Complications

If numbness of the lip, chin, or tongue occurs there is no cause for alarm. As stated before surgery, this is usually temporary in nature. You should be aware that if your lip or tongue is numb, you could bite it and not feel the sensation. So be careful. Call the office to schedule a follow-up appointment if numbness persists beyond 3 days.

Slight elevation of temperature immediately following surgery is not uncommon. If the temperature persists, notify the office. Tylenol or ibuprofen should be taken to reduce the fever.

Occasionally, patients may feel hard projections in the mouth with their tongue. They are not roots, they are the bony walls that support the tooth. These projections usually smooth out spontaneously. If not, they can be removed by our Oral Surgeons.

If the corners of your mouth are stretched, they may dry out and crack. Your lips should be kept moist with an ointment such as Vaseline.

Sore throats and pain when swallowing are not uncommon. The muscles get swollen. The normal act of swallowing can then become painful. This will subside in 2-3 days.

Stiffness (Trimus) of the jaw muscles may cause difficulty in opening your mouth for a few days following surgery. This is a normal post-operative event that will resolve in time.


Finally

Sutures are placed the area of surgery to minimize post-operative bleeding and to help healing. Sometimes they become dislodged, this is no cause for alarm. Just remove the suture from your mouth and discard it. The sutures will be removed approximately one week after surgery unless dissolvable sutures were used. The removal of sutures requires no anesthesia or needles. It takes only a minute or so, and there is no discomfort associated with this procedure. So it’s really nothing to worry about.

The pain and swelling should subside more and more each day following surgery. If your post-operative pain or swelling worsens or unusual symptoms occur call our office for instructions.

There will be a cavity where the tooth was removed. The cavity will gradually over the next month fill in with the new tissue. In the meantime, the area should be kept clean especially after meals with salt water rinses or a toothbrush.

Your case is individual, no two mouths are alike. Do not accept well-intended advice from friends. Discuss your problem with the person best able to effectively help you: Dr. Contino, Dr. Reed, Dr. Winokur, or your family dentist.

Brushing your teeth is okay – just be gentle at the surgical sites.

A dry socket is when the blood clot gets dislodged prematurely from the tooth socket. Symptoms of pain at the surgical site and even pain in the ear may occur 5-6 days following surgery. Call the office if this occurs.

If you are involved in regular exercise, be aware that your normal nourishment intake is reduced. Exercise may weaken you. If you get light-headed, stop exercising.

We're Here to Help!

Our caring and dedicated staff want to help give you the most comfortable experience throughout your treatment. Call us today if you have any questions or to book an appointment.

Naples: 239-263-7474 Bonita Springs: 239-992-9201 Schedule an Appointment