Over 5 million Americans have their wisdom teeth extracted annually. In this post we will focus on recovery tips, good food choices for after surgery as well as when to check back in with the dentist or doctor. (Be sure to check out our recent post on what to expect from surgery and potential complications that may arise).

Make For A Comfortable Recovery 

Everyone heals differently from surgery, some people who are prone to bleeding or swelling may have a more difficult recovery, as may someone with other chronic health problems such as immunocompromising or autoimmune issues. Here are some tips that may help ease recovery:

• Keep your gauze in place until you get home, take all medications (such as antibiotics or NSAIDs) as your dentist prescribed.
• Don’t engage in exercise the first couple days after surgery, after you get enough rest, you can start easing back into activity.
• It is important to keep the mouth very clean in the weeks following surgery, but don’t do saltwater rinsing until the day after surgery, then you can proceed to do so several times daily (very gently, aggressive washing can dislodge a blood blot).
• Letting ice chips dissolve in your mouth may help ease soreness or swelling of the mouth or throat.
• Try not to let your curiosity get the best of you and start rooting at the extraction sites with your tongue as you may cause a dry socket, infection or disrupt the stitches, all of which can all delay and complicate healing.
• Avoid smoking, drinking from straws or aggressive mouth swishing for the first few days after surgery, as all of these can contribute to dry socket.
• Use ice packs in the days following surgery to keep swelling down (be careful not to leave the packs on too long).
• Bleeding can be slowed by a gentle rinse followed by packing gauze in the area and holding it in place for half an hour or so.
• A tea bag will also work well to calm bleeding, as the tannic acid can help a clot to form. Remember that most of the red you are seeing is your saliva, not pure blood, so don’t panic!
• Bruising and swelling are normal for up to a week following surgery, however, if you are experiencing severe facial swelling over a week after having surgery, return to your dentist for a check-up.
• As with any invasive surgical procedure, some degree of pain is to be expected in the days or weeks following wisdom teeth extraction, but be sure to take your anti-inflammatories or painkillers as prescribed, and follow up with your dentist if pain persists or becomes intense.

Post-Extraction Diet

Because you will be limited to a soft and liquid food diet in the days or weeks following your surgery, it is important to ensure you are taking in enough calories and protein in the absence of your usual food staples. Be sure to drink water often to prevent dehydration (at least 6 glasses of liquid daily), but avoid carbonated drinks as they may negatively affect clotting. Avoid temptation to indulge in solid, flakey, crispy or small foods (like rice) in the days following your surgery as pieces of food can become lodged in the healing sites which can cause infection and may require more dental work.

15 Good Post-Extraction Foods To Stock Up On

1. Pudding
2. Cream or broth based soups (without rice or food chunks)
3. Jello
4. Applesauce
5. Fruit smoothies (be sure to add some protein)
6. Yogurt or drinkable yogurt
7. Warm tea
8. Cottage cheese
9. Mashed potatoes (or sweet potatoes for a nutritious swap)!
10. Babyfood
11. Soft cheesecake
12. Nut butters
13. Oatmeal
14. Cooked ground meat with gravy
15. Potato, beet or tuna salad

When to Revisit the Dentist?

If you are experiencing infection symptoms such as pain, swelling, fever or discharge, be sure to visit your dentist or a doctor ASAP. Also, if you suspect you may have dry socket, visit your dentist as soon as you can so he or she can place a special protective antibiotic packing to the socket to help it heal in the absence of the clot. A good general rule is to go back for a recheck if you are still having any unnerving symptoms such as excessive pain that isn’t helped by NSAIDs, or any other troubling symptoms that don’t seem in line with usual recovery. It is always better to be safe than sorry!

There you have all the tips, tricks and cautions for a comfortable recovery from wisdom teeth extraction surgery! We hope this helps. Thanks for visiting DocChat! Our board certified physicians are on stand-by 24/7/365 should you have any medical questions that need answering.