Undergoing a wisdom tooth extraction, whether one tooth or all four, is not an easy process. After your surgery, you will experience pain once the numbness has worn off. You may also develop post-surgical swelling, which may make it hard for you to open and close your mouth comfortably. Your surgeon will give you prescriptions to help with the pain and swelling; you can also use ice and heat to reduce the swelling and pain.
Post-Surgical Expectations
Expect some bleeding post-surgery. Your dentist or oral surgeon will give you a small supply of sterile gauze pads. Bite on them gently every so often. As they become soaked, remove and replace them with a fresh gauze pad. You will feel some relief from the pain if you put an ice pack on the outside of your cheek. Do this continuously while awake for 24 hours or in shifts of 20 minutes on, 20 minutes off, and it will help reduce swelling from the extraction site. This provides the same benefits in terms of combating swelling. Thirty-six hours after you have had surgery, add moist heat. Use a warm, wet washcloth for two to three days. Plan to take it easy and relax. You have been through surgery, which will make you uncomfortable for several days. If you try to get active too quickly, you may start bleeding again.
Eat soft foods (soups, puddings, yogurts and gelatin). When you drink a beverage, do not use a straw because the sucking motion will restart your bleeding. On the second day, begin rinsing your mouth with warm salt water. This will help relieve pain and reduce the swelling you will experience. Do not smoke or rub the surgical site with your fingers or tongue. When you brush your teeth and tongue, do so carefully.
Post-Surgical Treatment
Wrap a tea bag in a gauze pad and place it on the extraction site. Tea contains tannic acid, which will help the blood vessels in the extraction wound to constrict. You will receive several prescriptions. Have them filled. One will be for a painkiller, which you will need. Some surgeons may also provide a prescription for a prophylactic antibiotic, although there is no literature to support this practice. Your surgeon may also prescribe an oral steroid to reduce post-surgical inflammation and swelling.
If you develop what is commonly called "dry socket," this means you have a very painful localized inflammation and infection in the tooth socket. The socket is not dry; it only appears to be dry. You may receive a medicated dressing that will be placed into the extraction site. It should help relieve the pain.
Post-Surgical Recovery Period
You can expect to feel the aftereffects of your wisdom tooth extraction for at least 72 hours afterward. You may experience swelling of your jaw(s) after surgery; this is normal. Do not resume physical pursuits until your surgeon has cleared you to do so. Give your body time to recover so you do not experience any complications. Sleep with your head or the head of your bed raised in order to reduce post-surgical bleeding. This will also help reduce the degree of post-surgical swelling.
