Wisdom teeth removal is a common oral surgery procedure, often recommended to prevent issues such as impaction, overcrowding, or infection. This procedure involves extracting the third molars at the back of the mouth, which typically emerge between 17 and 25. Proper post-operative care is important for a smooth recovery, minimizing discomfort, and preventing complications.
Brushing After Wisdom Teeth Removal
After wisdom teeth removal, resuming oral hygiene requires careful attention to protect healing surgical sites. It is safe to begin gently brushing your teeth approximately 24 hours after surgery. The initial 24-hour period is important for a blood clot to form in the tooth socket, which is part of the healing process. Disturbing this clot can lead to dry socket.
When you begin brushing, select a soft-bristled toothbrush. Brush your teeth gently, focusing on areas away from the extraction sites. Avoid directly brushing over the surgical area for several days, about a week, to prevent irritation and dislodging the blood clot.
Use a mild toothpaste, and when finished brushing, avoid vigorous spitting. Instead, let the toothpaste and saliva gently fall out of your mouth to protect the clot. Maintaining cleanliness in the rest of your mouth helps reduce the risk of infection.
Essential Post-Operative Oral Hygiene
Beyond careful brushing, other hygiene practices are important for healing after wisdom teeth removal. Gentle salt water rinses are a recommended part of post-operative care, starting 24 hours after surgery. To prepare the rinse, dissolve about half a teaspoon of salt in 8 ounces of warm water. This solution helps clean the area, reduce inflammation, and promote healing without irritating the surgical site.
Rinse your mouth gently by tilting your head from side to side rather than swishing vigorously. Aggressive rinsing or spitting can dislodge the blood clot, potentially leading to dry socket. Perform these rinses several times a day, particularly after meals, to remove food particles and bacteria.
Dietary choices significantly impact oral cleanliness and healing. Stick to soft, non-chewy foods for the first three to five days to prevent food from getting trapped in the extraction sites and to avoid disturbing healing tissues. Avoiding irritants such as smoking and alcohol is also important, as these can interfere with blood clot formation and increase the risk of complications.
Monitoring for Complications
Following wisdom teeth removal, it is common to experience some temporary symptoms as the body heals. Mild pain and soreness at the extraction site, along with swelling of the cheeks and jaw, are normal and subside within a few days. Swelling often peaks around 24 to 72 hours after surgery before gradually decreasing. Some slight bleeding or oozing is also expected during the first 24 to 48 hours.
However, certain signs may indicate a complication requiring professional attention. Severe pain that worsens instead of improving, especially if it radiates to the ear, eye, temple, or neck, could signal a dry socket. This condition occurs when the blood clot in the socket fails to form or dislodges, exposing the underlying bone and nerves. Other indicators of dry socket include a foul odor or bad taste in the mouth, or a visible empty socket where the clot should be.
Signs of infection include persistent or worsening pain, severe swelling, redness, pus or discharge from the surgical site, fever, or difficulty opening the mouth. If any of these symptoms develop, contact your oral surgeon or dentist promptly for evaluation and appropriate treatment.