If your wisdom are causing overcrowding in your mouth, your dentist will likely recommend removing them. Wisdom teeth removal is a fairly common procedure and it is normal to experience a little discomfort afterward. If you take good care of yourself, you will recover faster. Here are some helpful tips for recovering from wisdom teeth removal surgery.
Be Careful with What You Eat
Your mouth will be very sensitive after wisdom teeth removal surgery, so you have to watch what you eat. For the first few days, you should only eat soft foods like mashed potatoes, jello, apple sauce and yogurt. Eating these foods will be a lot easier on your teeth. Once the area starts to heal, you can begin introducing solid foods.
Rinse Your Mouth with Salt Water
A good way to reduce swelling and pain is to rinse your mouth out with salt water a few times a day. It will keep bacteria counts down in your mouth. Just put a couple of teaspoons of salt into a warm cup of water and gargle the mixture for a minute.
Avoid Strenuous Activities
It is a wise idea to avoid strenuous activities for at least a few days after your wisdom teeth removal surgery. If you try to do too much, it can increase bleeding and slow down the recovery process. If your job involves physical labor, you should take some time off. Try to rest as much as possible.
Bite Down on a Gauze Pad
Biting down on a gauze pad a few times a day will help control a lot of the bleeding. If you do not have a gauze pad, you can bite down on a tea bag instead.
Keep Your Head Elevated
After you get your wisdom teeth removed, you should keep your head elevated. If you keep your head elevated, you can reduce a lot of the swelling. When you are lying down, put two pillows under your head.
Do Not Use Straws
It is not a good idea to drink your beverages through straws after wisdom teeth removal surgery. If you drink with a straw, you can dislodge the clots and prolong the healing process. If you are concerned about infection, ask Dr. Bruce Hartley or your particular dentist to prescribe an antibiotic.
If you follow these helpful tips, you will recover from your wisdom teeth removal surgery in no time. Make sure to choose a dental practice that has a lot of experience with wisdom teeth removal.
