In our previous blog post, Some Wisdom On Wisdom Teeth, we discussed what wisdom teeth are and why you may need to have them removed. Today we are covering what will happen if they do need removed and post-op instruction to achieve proper, timely healing.
If your wisdom teeth are extracted by our dental office, Dr. Bertolini will give you a local anesthetic to numb the area of removal. If your teeth are severely impacted, Dr. Bertolini will refer you to an oral surgeon for the extraction and they would use a general anesthetic which would cause you to be asleep for the procedure. In either scenario, after the extraction you may need stitches to promote healing of the tissue. Some stitches will resorb or dissolve over time and others will need to be removed by the doctor. Dr. Bertolini will tell you whether yours need to be removed.
The recovery period after an extraction should only last for a few days and you can avoid complications if you follow these instructions:
Right after surgery
- Keep gentle pressure on the extraction site by biting on gauze.
- Use 2 pieces of gauze folded in half and in half again.
- Check every 10-15 minutes, changing gauze as needed. Call our office or the oral surgeon if bleeding persists after 24 hours.
For the first 24 hours
24 hours after extraction
Upper Extractions Sites
- Starting 24 hrs after surgery, rinse the area with a mixture of sea salt or non iodized salt in warm water (1/4 tsp. salt in 8 oz. warm water).
- Do this after each meal to keep the sites clean.
- Do this rinse at least 7-10 days after the surgery.
- Use moist heat for discomfort after the first 24 hours. This could be a washcloth or hot water bottle (just not too hot).
Lower Extraction Sites
- Starting 24 hrs after surgery, fill the plastic syringe you were given by our office with a mixture of sea salt or non iodized salt in warm water (1/4 tsp. salt in 8 oz. warm water).
- Looking into the mirror over the bathroom sink, aim the tip of the syringe at one of the sites, gently press on the plunger of the syringe to push water into the site and remove any food debris.
- Continue with the other side.
- Do this after each meal to keep the sites clean.
- Do this rinse for at least 7-10 days after the surgery.
- Use moist heat for discomfort after the first 24 hours. This could be a washcloth or hot water bottle (just not too hot).
Please contact Dr. Bertolini if anything unusual occurs: bleeding will not stop, pain lasting beyond 72 hours that the pain reliever will not relieve, fever greater than 101.
Complete healing of gums may take three to four weeks. For the first day or two, eating soft foods and avoid things that could get stuck in the extraction site is best. As the sites begin to heal, regular foods that require chewing can be added back into your diet.
If you do need your wisdom teeth removed, it’s best to have the procedure done promptly because the more time that passes increases risks of complication and longer healing time.
