Wisdom teeth removal is a common dental procedure. Proper post-operative care is important for a smooth recovery. Following specific instructions after the extraction helps minimize discomfort and reduce the risk of complications during the healing period.
Why Spitting is Discouraged
Immediately after wisdom teeth removal, it is important to avoid spitting. This action can dislodge the crucial blood clot that forms in the empty tooth socket. Spitting creates suction and pressure within the mouth, which can easily disturb this delicate clot.
Dislodging the blood clot can lead to a painful complication known as a dry socket. Avoiding actions like spitting, using straws, or vigorous rinsing for at least 24 hours helps ensure the clot remains undisturbed.
Understanding Dry Socket
A dry socket occurs when the blood clot in the extraction site is dislodged or dissolves too early. This leaves the underlying bone and nerve endings exposed, leading to intense pain. The pain associated with dry socket is typically severe and throbbing, often radiating to the ear, jaw, or neck.
Symptoms usually begin one to three days after the tooth removal, worsening rather than improving. Other signs can include a bad taste or foul odor. While dry socket is painful and delays healing, it rarely causes an infection or serious long-term complications. Professional attention from a dentist or oral surgeon is necessary for treatment and pain relief.
Comprehensive Post-Operative Care
Effective post-operative care extends beyond avoiding spitting to include several other practices. To manage initial bleeding, gently bite down on gauze pads placed over the extraction sites for about 30 minutes, replacing them as needed until bleeding slows. Applying ice packs to the outside of the face for the first 24 to 48 hours, in 20-minute intervals, helps reduce swelling.
Maintaining oral hygiene is important, but gentle care is advised. Avoid brushing the surgical area for the first 24 hours. After this initial period, gently rinse with warm salt water (half a teaspoon of salt in a glass of warm water) several times a day, especially after eating, allowing the water to passively drain without spitting.
Stick to a diet of soft foods for the first three to five days, such as yogurt, smoothies, and mashed potatoes, gradually introducing more solid foods as comfort allows. Do not use a straw, as the sucking motion can dislodge the blood clot. Take prescribed pain medication as directed, and rest for the first few days, avoiding strenuous activities.
Recognizing Complications and Seeking Help
While most wisdom teeth removals proceed without major issues, it is important to recognize signs of potential complications that require professional attention. Contact your dentist or oral surgeon if you experience persistent severe pain not relieved by medication, especially if it worsens after the first few days. Other warning signs include excessive or prolonged bleeding that does not stop with pressure, or swelling that increases or worsens after three days.
Seek immediate care if you notice signs of infection, such as fever higher than 102 degrees Fahrenheit (38.8 degrees Celsius), pus draining from the surgical site, or an unpleasant taste/odor that salt water rinsing does not remove. Difficulty breathing or swallowing, or lasting numbness or tingling in the lips, tongue, or chin, also warrant prompt medical evaluation. Following all post-operative instructions carefully helps ensure a successful recovery and minimizes risks.