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.
Table of Contents
- Can I brush after wisdom teeth extraction surgery?
- How soon can I brush after wisdom teeth extraction surgery?
- What should I avoid doing after wisdom teeth extraction?
- What should I expect after wisdom teeth extraction surgery?
- What shouldn’t I expect after wisdom teeth extraction surgery?
- Can I wear my night guard after wisdom teeth extraction surgery?
- Is pain expected after wisdom teeth extraction surgery?
- I am bleeding after my wisdom tooth extraction surgery, what should I do?
- What can I eat after wisdom teeth extraction surgery?
- The sutures around the area of extraction are opened up and loose, should I be concerned?
- How long will the sutures stay in my mouth after wisdom teeth extraction surgery?
- How soon can I exercise after wisdom teeth extraction surgery?
- There is white stuff around the wisdom tooth extraction site, what should I do?
- What should I use to clean the site of the wisdom teeth extraction?
- There is a rough edge where the wisdom tooth used to be! Should I be concerned?
- Is it normal to feel a tingly sensation around my lower lip/chin/tongue after wisdom teeth extraction?
- I feel my saliva is red, what should I do to stop bleeding after wisdom extraction surgery?
Can I brush after wisdom teeth extraction surgery?
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.
How soon can I brush after wisdom teeth extraction surgery?
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.
What should I avoid doing after wisdom teeth extraction?
The first few days after your wisdom tooth extraction, you should avoid the following three actions:
- No Spitting: Spitting should be avoided after the extraction of wisdom teeth as it will cause the blood clot around the extraction area to move around, causing more bleeding. The best thing to get rid of blood and redness in saliva and oozing from the extraction site is to go to the sink, lower your head, open the mouth and let the blood come out passively. Forceful spitting can only make the bleeding worse.
- No Sucking: Sucking and use of straw during drinking is not recommended as it also causes bleeding and should be avoided during the first three days post-extraction.
- No Smoking: Smoking should be avoided post extraction of wisdom teeth as it delays healing and can increase risk of infection
What should I expect after wisdom teeth extraction surgery?
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.
What shouldn’t I expect after wisdom teeth extraction surgery?
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
Can I wear my night guard after wisdom teeth extraction surgery?
As long as wearing your nightguard immediately after your wisdom teeth extraction is not causing any discomfort, you can do so
Is pain expected after wisdom teeth extraction surgery?
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.
I am bleeding after my wisdom tooth extraction surgery, what should I do?
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.
What can I eat after wisdom teeth extraction surgery?
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.
The sutures around the area of extraction are opened up and loose, should I be concerned?
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.
How long will the sutures stay in my mouth after wisdom teeth extraction surgery?
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.
How soon can I exercise after wisdom teeth extraction surgery?
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.
There is white stuff around the wisdom tooth extraction site, what should I do?
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.
What should I use to clean the site of the wisdom teeth extraction?
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.
There is a rough edge where the wisdom tooth used to be! Should I be concerned?
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.
Is it normal to feel a tingly sensation around my lower lip/chin/tongue after wisdom teeth extraction?
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.
I feel my saliva is red, what should I do to stop bleeding after wisdom extraction surgery?
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.
More Information
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.
