Wisdom Tooth Removal

The first few hours matter most for comfort and clot formation. Follow these steps right away.

• Keep the gauze pad over the surgical area in place for 30 minutes, then remove and discard it.
• Avoid vigorous mouth rinsing or touching the wound area. This can dislodge the blood clot and start bleeding.
• Take prescribed pain medication as soon as you begin to feel discomfort. This often happens as the local anesthetic wears off.
• Restrict your activities the day of surgery and resume normal activity when you feel comfortable.
• Place ice packs on the sides of your face where surgery was performed. See the swelling section for timing and details.

Some bleeding and swelling are normal after surgery. The steps below help you manage both and know when to call.

Bleeding

• Slight bleeding, oozing, or redness in the saliva is not uncommon.
• To control excessive bleeding, rinse or wipe any old clots from your mouth.
• Place a gauze pad over the area and bite firmly for 30 minutes. Repeat if necessary.
• If bleeding continues, bite on a moistened tea bag for 30 minutes. Tannic acid helps form a clot.
• Sit upright, avoid exercise, and stay calm.
• If bleeding does not subside, call the office for further instructions.

Swelling

• Swelling is usually proportional to the surgery and is common around the mouth, cheeks, eyes, and sides of the face.
• Swelling often begins the day after surgery and typically peaks 2 to 3 days post operatively.
• Use ice packs immediately. Apply to the sides of the face continuously while you are awake.
• After 36 hours, ice has no beneficial effect.
• If swelling or jaw stiffness persists for several days, this is a normal reaction.
• After 36 hours, moist heat applied to the sides of the face can help reduce swelling.

Use the guidance below to manage discomfort safely. Pain should improve more each day.

• For moderate pain, take one or two tablets of Tylenol or Extra Strength Tylenol every 3 to 4 hours.
• You may also take Ibuprofen (Motrin or Advil), two to four 200 mg tablets every 3 to 4 hours.
• For severe pain, take the prescribed medication as directed.
• Prescription pain medication may make you groggy and slow reflexes. Do not drive or work around machinery while taking it.
• Avoid alcoholic beverages while taking prescription pain medication.
• Pain should subside more and more every day. If pain persists, call the office.

Hydration and nutrition support healing. Start slowly and avoid anything that may disturb the clot.

• After general anesthetic or IV sedation, start with liquids.
• Do not use straws. Drink from a glass. The sucking motion can dislodge the blood clot and cause bleeding.
• Eat soft foods and chew away from the surgical sites.
• High calorie, high protein intake is important.
• Take nourishment regularly and prevent dehydration by drinking fluids throughout the day.
• Your food intake may be limited for the first few days. Increase fluids to compensate.
• Aim for at least 5 to 6 glasses of liquid daily.
• Try not to miss meals. You will feel better, have more strength, less discomfort, and heal faster if you continue to eat.
• If you suddenly sit up or stand from lying down, you may become dizzy. Sit for one minute before standing.

Keeping your mouth clean helps healing, but timing and gentleness matter.

• Do not rinse your mouth on the day of surgery.
• You can brush your teeth the night of surgery, but rinse gently.
• Starting the day after surgery, rinse 5 to 6 times daily, especially after eating.
• Use warm salt water rinses: mix one teaspoon of salt into a cup of warm water.
• Brushing your teeth is okay, just be gentle at the surgical sites.

Take prescribed medications as directed and follow these steps if nausea occurs.

Antibiotics

• If you are prescribed antibiotics, take them exactly as directed to help prevent infection.
• Stop antibiotics if you develop a rash or other unfavorable reaction and call the office.

Nausea and vomiting

• If nausea or vomiting occurs, do not take anything by mouth for at least one hour, including prescribed medicine.
• After one hour, sip coke, tea, or ginger ale slowly over a 15 minute period.
• When nausea subsides, you may resume solid foods and prescribed medications.

Fever

• Slight elevation of temperature immediately following surgery is not uncommon. If it persists, notify the office.
• Tylenol or ibuprofen may be taken to reduce fever.

Some sensations during healing are normal. Use the notes below to know what to expect and how to care for the area.

• Bruising or discoloration can occur 2 to 3 days after surgery. Moist heat may help it fade faster.
• Temporary numbness of the lip, chin, or tongue may occur. Be careful not to bite numb areas. Call Dr. Oshetski with questions.
• Stand up slowly. Sit for one minute before getting up to help prevent light headedness.
• Hard areas you feel with your tongue are often normal bone changes, not roots. They usually smooth out on their own. If not, Dr. Oshetski can remove them.
• Keep lips moist with an ointment such as Vaseline if corners of the mouth feel dry or cracked.
• Sore throat or discomfort when swallowing can occur and usually improves within 2 to 3 days.
• Jaw stiffness can make it difficult to open your mouth for a few days and will resolve with time.

Sutures

• Sutures help reduce bleeding and support healing.
• If a suture loosens, remove it and discard it.
• Sutures are usually removed about one week after surgery. Removal is quick and typically comfortable.

Socket Care

• The socket will gradually fill with new tissue over the next month.
• Keep the area clean, especially after meals, using salt water rinses or gentle brushing.

Note: Every case is different. Avoid relying on advice from friends and contact Dr. Oshetski or your family dentist with questions.