Wisdom tooth removal is a common procedure. Understanding proper aftercare is important for a smooth recovery, helping manage discomfort and prevent complications. This guide outlines maintaining oral hygiene and promoting healing in the days and weeks following extraction.
Immediate Post-Extraction Care
Immediately after wisdom tooth extraction, avoid actions that could dislodge the blood clot in the socket. This protective clot covers exposed bone and nerve endings, and its preservation is necessary for proper healing. Forceful activities like gargling or vigorous spitting can easily disrupt it.
For the first 24 hours, refrain from any mouth rinsing. Avoid drinking through straws, as suction can dislodge the clot. Smoking should also be avoided, as it hinders healing and increases complication risk. If bleeding occurs, apply gentle pressure with gauze as instructed. Instead of spitting, allow excess fluids to passively drain into the sink.
Gentle Oral Rinsing Guidelines
After the initial 24-hour period, gentle oral rinsing can begin. This helps keep the mouth clean and reduces infection risk by removing food particles and debris from surgical areas. Warm salt water is a common and effective rinsing solution.
To prepare a warm salt water rinse, dissolve about half a teaspoon of salt in a cup of warm (not hot) water. Gently sip the solution and swish it around your mouth for 10 to 30 seconds, focusing on extraction sites without vigorous movement. Carefully let the rinse fall into the sink, rather than forcefully spitting. Perform this gentle rinsing several times a day, especially after meals, for one to two weeks, or as advised by your dentist. If prescribed, chlorhexidine mouthwash can also be used for its antiseptic properties.
Understanding Potential Complications
One potential complication after wisdom tooth extraction is a dry socket, also known as alveolar osteitis. This occurs when the protective blood clot dislodges or dissolves prematurely, exposing underlying bone and nerves. Pain from a dry socket typically begins one to five days after extraction and can be severe, often radiating to the ear, eye, or neck.
Other signs of a dry socket include a foul odor, bad taste, or a visible empty socket. While painful, dry socket rarely leads to serious complications like widespread infection. However, if you experience worsening pain, persistent bad breath, fever, or any pus or unusual discharge from the extraction site, contact your dentist immediately. These symptoms could indicate an infection or another issue requiring professional attention.