Wisdom teeth removal is one of the most common surgeries that occur in the dentistry field. The surgery is performed by an oral surgeon and requires some time to heal properly afterwards. Understanding this procedure and how to care for the incision site afterwards is key to recovering quickly and reducing any stress or anxiety! Let’s get into it!
Why do Wisdom Teeth Need to be Removed?
Wisdom teeth are the last teeth to come in and they are often impacted. This means that they have a difficult time coming in and there is not enough room for them to grow. Since wisdom teeth can be impacted, this can lead to tooth decay, gum disease, and other oral health problems.
Some people may not experience any pain or discomfort until their wisdom teeth start to become impacted or inflamed. Others may experience pain from wisdom tooth crowding earlier on, even
before their wisdom teeth break through their gums.
Removing your wisdom teeth does not impact your ability to chew food, pronounce words, or anything of that nature. They are simply an extra set of molars that we don’t need, but our bodies naturally produce. So, if you experience pain or inflammation and get them removed, you’ll do so with the help of an oral surgeon.
What to Expect after Wisdom Teeth Removal Surgery
The following are some of the symptoms that may occur after wisdom tooth surgery:
- Swollen and sore site post surgery
- Bleeding site post wisdom teeth removal surgery treatment
- Swelling in the neck
- Swelling in the jaw
- Difficulty chewing on one side of the mouth or jaw
How to Treat the Sore & Swollen Site Post-Surgery
Treating the site post-surgery is important for the healing process. We need to take care of our mouth to ensure that it heals properly.
The following are some tips on how to care for your sore and swollen site post-surgery:
- Wash your mouth out with warm water to prevent blood pooling
- Protect the site by placing gauze provided by your surgeon around the area until bleeding subsides
- Do not consume anything through a straw during the healing process
- Use a mild pain reliever to help with the pain.
- Rest! Your body is healing, the more time you can designate to relaxing, the faster and easier you will heal.
- Avoid opening your mouth wide as this can stretch out the incision site and lead to ripping the stitches
What Kind of Diet Should I Follow After Wisdom Tooth Surgery?
Knowing what to eat after wisdom tooth surgery is one of the most important parts of the healing process. Soft foods are your only option and should be easy to chew and swallow. Foods that are rich in carbohydrates, protein, and calcium are also recommended.
Some of the foods that can be included in the diet after a wisdom tooth surgery are:
- Soups
- Yogurt
- Smoothies (not through a straw)
- Fruit juices (not through a straw)
- Egg yolk or egg whites
- Jello
- Mashed potatoes
- Icecream
You can consume pretty much anything that is soft or blended while your incision site is healing.
Conclusion
Caring for your mouth after wisdom teeth removal is all about being gentle and patient. You’ll need to rest up, consume soft foods, and manage the pain when necessary with pain killers and icepacks to reduce inflammation. The healing process often takes up to 10 days to be fully healed, but if you follow the instructions provided by your oral surgery specialist, you’re sure to have a quick recovery! Reach out to your surgeon if you have any questions or concerns!