Whether they’re impacted or not, many people need to have their wisdom teeth removed for a variety of reasons. According to dental experts, 90% of the people surveyed reported having at least one wisdom tooth that was impacted. If your dentist has recommended a wisdom tooth extraction, you might wonder what happens next. Here’s a quick overview of things to do after you have your wisdom teeth removed.
Take It Easy
Depending on the complexity of your extraction, you will likely feel a bit groggy after your procedure. You’ll want someone to pick you up from the dentist, take you to get any prescription medicine, and make sure you’re safely home. It’s not always necessary to have someone stay with you, but it’s not a bad idea. If possible, take the next day or two off from work to rest and recover.
Avoid Chewing on that Side of Your Mouth
It may sound like common sense, but it can be difficult to always remember to avoid chewing where your wisdom tooth used to be. If your extraction took care of all four teeth, stick with liquid foods for a few days. You don’t want any food debris to become lodged in the wound area. You’ll also want to change your bandages and gargle with warm salt water after you eat. Soups and soft foods like yogurt and smoothies are great choices during your recovery period. After a few days of recuperation, you should be able to get back to your usual routine and eating habits.
Keep All Follow-Up Appointments
There can be a risk of infection following your tooth removal. For this reason alone, it’s important to keep all of your follow-up appointments. Even if everything is going smoothly, you’ll want your dentist to review your progress and observe how well your mouth is healing. It’s important to keep all scheduled appointments, especially if you have another procedure coming up. Tooth removal can be a complex procedure and one that can have complications. Stay in touch with your dentist’s office and if you need to cancel an appointment, be sure to reschedule it right away.
If it’s time to remove your wisdom teeth, give us a call. We’re here to help you with all of your dental care needs. Contact our office today to schedule your appointment. We look forward to seeing you soon!