Post Operative Care for Wisdom Teeth Removal

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	Dr Minh Nguyen

	The Dental Team

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Do Not Disturb the Wound

In doing so you may invite irritation, infection and/or bleeding. Chew on the opposite side for the first 24 hours.

Do Not Smoke for 12 Hours

Smoking will promote bleeding and interfere with healing.

Do Not Spit or Suck Through a Straw

This will promote bleeding and may dislodge the blood clot, which could result in a dry socket.

Control of Bleeding

If the area is not closed with stitches, a pressure pack made of folded sterile gauze pads will be placed over the socket. It is important that this pack stay in place to control bleeding and to encourage clot formation. The gauze is usually kept in place for 30 minutes. If the bleeding has not stopped once the original pack is removed, place a new gauze pad over the extraction site.

Control of Swelling

After surgery, some swelling is to be expected. This can be controlled through the use of cold packs, which slow the circulation. A cold pack is usually placed at the site of swelling during the first 24 hours in a cycle of 20 minutes on and 20 minutes off.

After the first 24 hours, it is advisable to rinse with warm saltwater every two hours to promote healing. (one teaspoon of salt to eight ounces of warm water).

Medication for Pain Control

Anti-inflammatory medication such as Aspirin or Ibuprofen are used to control minor discomfort following oral surgery. Stronger analgesics may be prescribed by our Houston dentist if the patient is in extreme discomfort.

Diet and Nutrition

A soft diet may be prescribed for the patient for a few days following surgery.

Notes

Following the removal of your wisdom teeth it is important that you call our Houston dentist if any unusual bleeding, swelling or pain occurs. The first 6-8 hours after the extraction are typically the worst, but are manageable with ice packs and non-prescription pain medication. You should also plan to see our Houston dentist approximately one week later to ensure everything is healing well.

It is very important to talk to our Houston dentist about extraction procedure, risks, possible complications and outcomes of the removal of these teeth. The actual extraction may be done by a Houston dentist or it may be referred to an oral surgeon, who is a specialist. This decision is based on the dentist’s preference and the unique features of each individual case. If you are unsure about whether or not to proceed with the treatment suggested by your dental professional, it is a good idea to get a second opinion. If you decide after consulting with our Houston dentist to not have any teeth extracted, they should be monitored at every dental visit.