Surgery to remove wisdom teeth is not a major surgery, but you will still need to take good care of yourself after the surgery is complete. Here are some instructions for caring for your mouth after your wisdom teeth have been removed.
What Are Wisdom Teeth?
Wisdom teeth are a third set of molars that appear in your upper and lower jaws in your late teens or early twenties. They are not necessary for you to be able to eat properly. If your wisdom teeth aren't bothering you, they don't have to be removed. However, for some people, wisdom teeth can create problems. Many people experience jaw pain from wisdom teeth that are impacted or trapped underneath their gums. If you have a small jaw, or your wisdom teeth are infected, causing you pain or headaches, you can have them removed.
Caring For Yourself After Surgery
You will want to rest for two to three days after you have your wisdom teeth removed. Don't work out or do anything strenuous for a couple of days. You will want to take pain medication and place ice on your jaw for 30 minutes a few times per day. You may need to take antibiotics as well to fight infection. If your dentist gave you antibiotic mouthwash to use to help care for your mouth, you can use that. You can also use a salt and water solution to rinse your mouth.
If you begin to experience severe pain, a fever of over 100.5, severe swelling, blood or pus in your mouth, or trouble swallowing you should contact us immediately. Be sure and eat soft foods for the first few days after surgery and avoid hard or crunchy foods. Many people like to eat Jello, pudding, sorbets, or ice cream after wisdom teeth surgery. Before you know it, you'll be back to your normal diet.
Surgery to remove wisdom teeth is not a major surgery, but you will still need to take good care of yourself after the surgery is complete. Here are some instructions for caring for your mouth after your wisdom teeth have been removed.