After Wisdom Tooth Removal

Home Instructions After Wisdom Teeth Extraction

 

Following removal of impacted wisdom teeth, postoperative care is important. Follow the personalized instructions provided by Dr. Strickland and our team. Contact our office if you have questions about your recovery.

Immediately Following Surgery

  • Use the gauze placed over the surgical area according to the instructions provided by our team.
  • Avoid vigorous rinsing, spitting, or touching the wound. These actions may disturb the blood clot and cause bleeding.
  • Follow your individualized medication instructions. Contact our office with questions about pain management.
  • Rest on the day of surgery and follow our instructions about returning to normal activities.
  • Use cold packs as directed, with a cloth between the pack and your skin and breaks between applications.
  • If you received IV sedation, have a responsible adult drive you home and stay with you as directed.

Bleeding

Some slight bleeding, oozing, or blood-tinged saliva can occur after surgery. Follow the instructions provided for placing gauze over the surgical area and applying steady pressure. Avoid disturbing the blood clot.

If your mouth fills rapidly with blood, bleeding remains heavy, or it does not improve with the recommended measures, contact our office promptly for further instructions.

Swelling

Swelling around the mouth, cheeks, and jaw can occur after surgery and may increase during the first two to three days before improving. The amount of swelling varies with the procedure and the individual.

Follow our team’s instructions for using cold packs and taking breaks between applications. Contact our office if swelling is severe, continues to worsen, or is accompanied by fever or other concerning symptoms.

Questions About Discomfort or Medication

Pain management should be tailored to your procedure, medical history, and current medications. Follow the instructions provided by Dr. Strickland rather than general medication advice online.

For instructions about discomfort or medication, call Gateway Dental Columbus at (812) 370-0019. Contact our office if pain is severe, worsening, or not controlled by your prescribed care plan.

Diet

After IV sedation, begin eating and drinking according to your discharge instructions once you are alert enough to do so safely. Start with fluids and soft foods as directed. Drink from a glass rather than using a straw, and avoid chewing directly over the surgical sites.

Choose nourishing foods that are comfortable to eat and maintain your fluid intake. Be careful while your mouth is numb to avoid biting your lips, cheeks, or tongue. Our team can provide dietary guidance specific to your procedure.

Rise slowly from a seated or lying position. If you feel dizzy, sit back down and ask your caregiver for assistance.

Keep Your Mouth Clean

Follow our team’s instructions about when and how to resume brushing and cleaning your mouth. Clean the other teeth gently while avoiding direct contact with the extraction sockets.

Do not rinse vigorously or disturb the blood clots. If you are unsure how to clean around a surgical site, contact our office for guidance.

Discoloration

Bruising may appear around the surgical area in the days after treatment. The skin may develop dark or changing colors as the bruising resolves. Contact our office if you have concerns about the appearance of the area or other symptoms.

Antibiotics

If antibiotics are prescribed, follow the individualized instructions provided by your treating clinician. Contact our office promptly if you have questions or experience a suspected medication reaction. Seek emergency medical care for difficulty breathing or swelling of the lips, tongue, or throat.

Nausea and Vomiting

If you experience nausea or vomiting after surgery, contact our office for individualized instructions, including guidance about your medications. Let us know if vomiting continues or you cannot keep fluids down.

Other Recovery Concerns

  • Numbness: Avoid biting or injuring your lips, cheeks, or tongue while they are numb. Contact our office if numbness persists beyond the expected anesthetic period or you notice a new change in sensation.
  • Fever: Contact our office if you develop a fever or feel increasingly unwell.
  • Dizziness: Change positions slowly and ask for assistance if you feel lightheaded. Contact our office if dizziness persists.
  • Sharp or Hard Areas: If you notice a sharp edge or hard area near an extraction site, do not pick at it. Contact our office if it is painful or does not improve.
  • Jaw Stiffness: Some difficulty opening your mouth may occur after surgery. Contact our office if it is severe, worsening, or not improving.
  • Swallowing or Breathing: Seek urgent medical attention for difficulty breathing or an inability to swallow.

Sutures and Continued Healing

When stitches are needed, we use dissolvable sutures. They typically dissolve within one to two weeks, although the timing can vary. A routine appointment solely for suture removal is not needed. Our team will let you know if a follow-up evaluation is recommended.

Do not pull on or attempt to remove stitches. If a stitch loosens and you notice bleeding, the wound opening, or other concerns, contact our office.

The extraction sockets gradually fill with healing tissue over time. Follow the cleaning instructions provided by our team and avoid placing objects into the sockets.

Increasing pain at an extraction site, sometimes extending toward the ear, may indicate a problem such as dry socket. Call our office if pain worsens after initially improving or if you develop unusual symptoms.

Limit strenuous activity according to your postoperative instructions. If activity causes bleeding, throbbing, or lightheadedness, stop and rest.

Your recovery is individual. For questions or concerns, contact Dr. Strickland and our team at (812) 370-0019.