After wisdom teeth removal, many individuals wonder about resuming their usual sleep patterns. Disrupted sleep is a common and expected part of the initial recovery process. The body requires rest to heal, yet the immediate aftermath of surgery can present several challenges to achieving comfortable sleep.
Understanding Initial Sleep Disruptions
Sleep can be difficult immediately following wisdom teeth removal. Post-operative pain and swelling are primary contributors, creating discomfort that hinders sleep. Gauze in the mouth, used to manage bleeding, can be cumbersome and poses a choking hazard if left in during sleep. Stitches at the extraction sites may cause irritation or a strange sensation.
Medications prescribed for pain relief can sometimes have side effects like drowsiness or keep a person awake. Sedatives used during the procedure can also temporarily alter sleep cycles. An elevated sleeping position is recommended in the immediate aftermath to help reduce swelling and prevent blood from pooling at the surgical sites, which is a departure from many people’s typical sleep habits.
Timeline for Normal Sleep Resumption
Normal sleep improves gradually as initial healing progresses. During the first 1 to 3 days, discomfort, swelling, and residual bleeding are most pronounced, making elevated sleeping positions on the back or side (not on the affected side) advisable. Extra pillows, elevating the head to about 45 degrees, help reduce swelling and throbbing by promoting fluid drainage. It is common to experience interrupted sleep during this period.
By the end of the first week, significant improvement in discomfort and swelling is observed, allowing more comfortable sleep. Most swelling subsides within 5 to 7 days. While individual healing rates vary, many people can resume a more normal sleeping position, such as on their side or back without as much elevation, after this week. Complete recovery, where numbness or sensitivity resolves and sleep feels normal, can take several weeks, especially if the wisdom teeth were impacted.
Strategies for Comfortable Sleep Recovery
Several strategies can facilitate more comfortable and restorative sleep during recovery. Maintaining an elevated head position for the first few nights, using extra pillows or a wedge pillow, minimizes swelling and prevents blood accumulation at the surgical site. This position also reduces pressure and throbbing.
Managing pain with prescribed medication or over-the-counter options, as directed by a healthcare provider, is important to prevent discomfort from interfering with sleep. Applying cold compresses to the jaw for 15-20 minute intervals during the first 24-48 hours can significantly reduce swelling and numb the area, promoting better sleep.
Avoiding strenuous activity before bed is important, as increased blood flow to the surgical area can worsen bleeding and swelling, disrupting sleep. Creating a conducive sleep environment, such as a cool, dark, and quiet room, and wearing comfortable sleepwear, can enhance rest. Remove any gauze from the mouth before sleeping to avoid a choking hazard.