We know you have lots of questions before and after the extraction procedure. Dr. Alavi has prepared a list of common questions you might have
June 22, 2026
Are you planning to undergo a wisdom teeth removal procedure? We know you have lots of questions before and after the extraction procedure. That is why Dr. Alavi has prepared a list of common questions you might have about your upcoming extraction procedure. Check out the complete questions and answers below. You can also Book An Appointment to be seen for your wisdom teeth concerns and plan a customized treatment to address your dental health.
Yes, maintaining good hygiene is highly recommended after the extraction of wisdom teeth. You can brush your teeth but avoid brushing the extraction site as that area is healing and will be tender to touch. The area where your wisdom teeth used to be now is an empty hole. Food debris and plaque can accumulate in the area, causing inflammation and discomfort. Rinsing with salt water (1 teaspoon of salt in 1/2 cup of warm water) is recommended. Using a monoject syringe to better reach the area of extraction is the most effective approach. In case you don’t have a monoject syringe you can contact your dental office to get one.
You can brush as soon as the day of the procedure. It is recommended that you avoid brushing the site of extraction as that area is healing and will be tender to touch. Rinsing with salt water (1 teaspoon of salt in 1/2 cup of warm water) is recommended. Using a monoject syringe to better reach the area of extraction is the most effective approach. In case you don’t have a monoject syringe you can contact your dental office to get one.
The first few days after your wisdom tooth extraction, you should avoid the following three actions:
Soreness, mild oozing and swelling are expected after extraction of wisdom teeth. Pain at the area of the extraction should gradually improve. Painkillers that your dentist provides should be taken according to the prescribed regimen. Mild bleeding and oozing from the site of extraction is expected and the best way of controlling it is moist gauze compress. Unlike pain and oozing that should gradually reduce, swelling increases for the first three days and after day 3 will gradually improve.
Pain that is increasing instead of improving or a sudden onset of acute pain can be a sign of infection and you should contact your dentist as antibiotics might be necessary.
Complete numbness, partial sensation or tingling sensation around your lip/chin/tongue can be a sign of nerve injury, a rare complication of wisdom teeth extraction and should be discussed with your dentist for further investigation.
Change in the bite should also be discussed with your dentist as jaw fracture is a rare complication of wisdom tooth extraction
As long as wearing your nightguard immediately after your wisdom teeth extraction is not causing any discomfort, you can do so
Pain is expected after the extraction of wisdom teeth. Pain at the area of the extraction should gradually improve. Painkillers that your dentist provides should be taken according to the prescribed regimen. Pain that keeps increasing in intensity and duration instead of improving, or a sudden onset of pain after a couple of days in improvement should be mentioned to your dentist as it can be a sign of infection and a pain killer may be necessary.
Bleeding post extraction of wisdom teeth is expected. Minor bleed/oozing from the extraction site can best be controlled by packing some moist gauze at the extraction site and pressing on it for 10 minutes and changing it until bleeding stops.
A soft diet (anything that has the consistency of mashed potato, boiled egg or pasta) that is not too hot or too cold is recommended in the first three days following the procedure. Just remember that the lip, tongue, and gum numbness will last up to three hours after the procedure. So if you eat soon after the procedure, do so with caution as you might unintentionally bite your lip or tongue.
In most cases, the type of sutures used in the extraction of wisdom teeth is resorbable and is expected to dissolve around five days post-extraction of wisdom teeth, so it is expected that sutures open up at some point. If opening up the sutures is bothering you, you can contact your dentist.
In most cases, the type of sutures used in the extraction of wisdom teeth is resorbable and is expected to dissolve around five days post-extraction of wisdom teeth, so it is expected that sutures open up at some point. If opening up the sutures is bothering you, you can contact your dentist.
Exercise on the day of extraction is not recommended. If the procedure is done under sedation, drowsiness is expected. An increase in blood pressure as a result of exercise can cause post-op bleeding. Light exercise starting on the next day is not contraindicated.
Oral hygiene using a monoject syringe and saline is highly recommended. There is a tendency for plaque to accumulate at the site of extraction. As long as there is no acute onset of pain, there is no need to be concerned with infection.
Rinsing with salt water (1 teaspoon of salt in 1/2 cup of warm water) is recommended. Using a monoject syringe to reach the area of extraction better is the most effective approach. In case you don’t have a monoject syringe, you can contact your dental office to get one.
If the rough edge is bothering you, you should contact your dentist for an assessment. Extraction of wisdom teeth involves removing bone around the wisdom teeth and sharp edges of bone sometimes exposed through the gum. Bone healing after wisdom extraction is a slow process that continues for several months and sometimes the rough edges disappear as the healing progresses. They can also always be smoothed by your dentist.
One of the rare but possible complications of wisdom teeth extraction on the lower jaw is the irritation of the nerve that runs just below your wisdom teeth. As a result, numbness or altered sensation can happen that will improve over time in most cases. You should definitely contact your dentist for further assessment.
Redness in the saliva is not considered active bleeding, but it can lead to active bleeding if you spit it. Therefore it is highly recommended not to spit or use a straw after any operation in the mouth. You can go to the sink, lower your head, open your mouth and let the red saliva come out passively. Bleeding post extraction of wisdom teeth is expected. Minor bleed/oozing from the extraction site can best be controlled by packing some moist gauze at the extraction site, pressing on it for 10 minutes, and changing it until bleeding stops.
For more information about our wisdom teeth removal service please visit: https://dentistryonking.net/wisdom-teeth-removal/
You can also book your first appointment with Dr. Alavi by completing our appointment request form.
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