After wisdom tooth extraction，remember these 9 post-operative care tips
“Wisdom tooth extraction feels easy at first, but the pain afterward is unbearable!” This is a common complaint among those who have just undergone wisdom tooth extraction surgery. Many people assume that everything is over once the surgery is over, but improper post-operative care can lead to complications such as infection or bleeding. Don’t worry! This article will detail the proper post-operative care for wisdom teeth, covering every step from the moment of surgery to complete recovery, to help you reduce discomfort and speed up your recovery!
1. Immediately Afterward: Bite on a Cotton Ball to Effectively Stop Bleeding
After wisdom tooth extraction, your doctor will place a sterile cotton ball in the incision. This is absolutely essential! Bite on the cotton ball for 30-40 minutes. This pressure helps stop bleeding and promotes blood clot formation, a crucial first step in achieving normal socket healing after tooth extraction. Be careful to maintain moderate bite pressure to avoid crushing the cotton ball, and don’t spit it out too soon, as this may not completely stop the bleeding.
If a small amount of bleeding persists after 40 minutes, don’t panic. You can replace the cotton ball and continue biting for 15-20 minutes. However, if heavy bleeding or blood clots become dislodged, contact a doctor immediately or return to the hospital for treatment. Do not attempt to treat the problem yourself.
2. 1-2 Hours After Surgery: Avoid food and water, and avoid irritation.
During the first 1-2 hours after surgery, while the anesthesia has not yet worn off, avoid drinking or eating. First, anesthesia may temporarily weaken your swallowing function, making it easy to choke. Second, eating too early can disrupt newly formed blood clots and cause bleeding.
Even after this period, exercise caution when eating. It’s recommended to drink room temperature, cold water or lightly salted water first, as this will moisten the mouth and provide some cleansing. Choose warm, soft foods such as ice cream, yogurt, and pumpkin porridge. Ice cream can help constrict blood vessels and stop bleeding, while yogurt, rich in protein, aids recovery. Important: Do not drink straws! Sucking creates negative pressure, which can dislodge blood clots and cause secondary bleeding or dry socket following tooth extraction.
3. Do not brush or rinse your mouth within 24 hours after surgery.
The bloody smell in your mouth after surgery may be unpleasant, but avoid brushing or rinsing immediately! The blood clot has not yet solidified within 24 hours, and cleaning can easily dislodge it, causing bleeding or infection. If cleaning is necessary, slowly pour a small amount of light salt water over the mouth, being very gentle. You can also use a medical cotton swab dipped in salt water to gently wipe the mouth, but be sure to avoid the wound area. Food residue can be removed after 24 hours.
4. 1-3 Days After Surgery: Eat a light diet and avoid irritants.
The first 1-3 days after surgery are when swelling and pain are at their peak, so dietary choices are particularly important. Avoid spicy foods, such as hot pot, barbecue, chili peppers, and alcohol, as these can irritate the wound, exacerbating swelling and pain and increasing the risk of infection.
We recommend light, easy-to-chew foods, such as egg custard, tofu, and soft noodles. Vegetables can be pureed or made into soups, and fruits can be juiced. Also, ensure you supplement with high-quality protein and vitamins, such as fish soup and bananas, to boost immunity and promote healing. When eating, chew on the unaffected side and avoid touching the wound.
5. 3-7 Days After Surgery: Careful Cleaning and Observation
About 3 days after surgery, if there is no abnormal bleeding or severe pain, you can begin careful oral hygiene. First, gently rinse your mouth with warm water to remove food debris. Then, brush your teeth gently with a soft-bristled toothbrush, avoiding the wound area and using gentle pressure to avoid damaging new tissue.
During this stage, you should closely monitor the wound’s healing. If you notice a grayish-white membrane covering the wound, this is normal healing and nothing to worry about. However, if you experience increased redness, swelling, pain, a foul odor, or fever, these may be signs of infection and require prompt medical attention. These symptoms may also indicate a dry socket tooth, where alveolar bone is exposed after a blood clot has been removed.
6. Avoid strenuous exercise and get adequate rest.
After surgery, your body will be weak and require adequate rest to promote recovery. Avoid strenuous exercise such as running, fitness, and swimming for one week. Vigorous activity can increase blood pressure and may cause wound bleeding again. Physical fatigue is also detrimental to tissue healing.
It is recommended to rest in bed and get adequate sleep. If you need to move around, take short walks, as long as you don’t feel tired. Good rest can boost your immune system and accelerate wound healing.
7. Take medications regularly and do not stop them at will.
After surgery, your doctor will usually prescribe anti-inflammatory and analgesic medications. Take them strictly according to your doctor’s instructions, taking them at the prescribed time and in the prescribed amount. Do not stop taking medications simply because pain has subsided. Anti-inflammatory medications can prevent infection, and analgesics can relieve discomfort. Stopping medication without authorization may cause recurrence of infection or worsening of pain.
If you experience adverse reactions such as nausea, vomiting, or a rash after taking medication, contact your doctor immediately to adjust your medication regimen. Be especially careful to avoid self-administering medications containing anticoagulants, as they may affect blood clotting and cause bleeding.
8. Remove stitches on time and complete follow-up treatment.
If the wound is large and requires sutures, it is usually removed 5-7 days after surgery. Please ensure you have a follow-up appointment for stitch removal. The wound will still need time to fully heal after stitches are removed. During this time, you should maintain good oral hygiene and avoid eating hard foods to prevent dry socket after tooth extraction.
9. Seek medical attention promptly in case of any special circumstances.
In addition to the above symptoms of infection, you should also seek medical attention immediately if the following occur:
Continuous bleeding that cannot be controlled after simple treatment.
Severe facial swelling that affects breathing or swallowing.
Persistent high fever exceeding 38.5°C.
Prolonged wound healing with significant pain after one week.
While wisdom tooth postoperative care involves many details, strictly adhering to these key points can significantly reduce the risk of complications and promote proper wound healing.