After Wisdom Tooth Removal

The removal of impacted teeth is a serious surgical procedure. Post-operative care is very important. Unnecessary pain and the complications of infection and swelling can be minimized if the instructions are followed carefully.

Read information below to for home care after your wisdom teeth removal surgery procedure. Call our Hutchinson office with your questions: Southwind Oral & Facial Surgery & Implant Center Hutchinson Office Phone Number 620-663-1141.

Common Post-Surgical Reactions | Diet and Hygiene | Other Complications | The Healing Process

Bleeding

• After tooth extraction, it’s important for a blood clot to form to stop the bleeding and begin the healing process. That is why we ask you to bite on a gauze pad for 30–45 minutes after the appointment. You may need to change the gauze every 20–30 minutes until the bleeding stops.
• If biting on gauze for several hours does not stop the bleeding, you may also moisten a regular black tea bag (with cold water, not hot water), apply it to the extraction site, and hold firm pressure. The tannic acid in the tea bag will help stop the bleeding.
• After the blood clot forms, it is important not to disturb or dislodge the clot as it aids healing. Do not rinse vigorously, suck on straws, suck on hard candies/cough drops or smoke for about one week after surgery. These activities will dislodge or dissolve the clot and a dry socket may develop.
• Do not smoke or use tobacco products during the first week of healing.

Pain, Swelling, and Bruising

• After the tooth is extracted, you may experience some pain and swelling. An ice pack or an unopened bag of frozen peas or corn applied to the area will keep swelling to a minimum. Your peak swelling will occur about 3 days after surgery.
• If antibiotics are prescribed, continue taking them until they are all gone or until told to stop by your doctor. Use the Peridex/Chlorhexidine oral rinse as directed on the bottle twice a day for one week after surgery. Swish the undiluted solution around your mouth then very gently spit it out; do not swallow.
• Pain Medications Prescribed by Dr. Dye:
  If you were prescribed Ibuprofen and Hydrocodone/Acetaminophen for pain, you may alternate these two prescriptions every three hours for the first few days. An example of this would look like:
  A. Take the Ibuprofen when you get home
  B. 3 hours later, take the Hydrocodone/Acetaminophen
  C. 3 hours later, take the Ibuprofen
  D. Repeat steps B and C to help manage post-operative pain. You may try
  writing down what times you take the medications to help keep track.

  Pain Medications Prescribed by Dr. Omole:
  If you were prescribed Ibuprofen, Acetaminophen, and Percocet
  (Oxycodone-Acetaminophen) for pain, you may alternate these medications every
  three hours for the first few days. Start by alternating the Ibuprofen and
  Acetaminophen, and then add in the Percocet for severe pain. An example of this
  would look like:
  A. Take the Ibuprofen when you get home
  B. 3 hours later, take the Acetaminophen 500mg
  C. 3 hours later, take the Ibuprofen
  D. Repeat steps B and C to manage pain
  E. If pain persists with steps B and C, take the Percocet on top of this. Take the Percocet every 6 hours as needed. You may try writing down the times you take the medications to keep track.

• Bruising or discoloration of the skin can occur 2 or 3 days following surgery. You may notice that you develop black, blue, green, or yellow discoloration of the skin on the side of the surgery. These color changes may move down the neck, or you may have “black eyes”. Moist heat applied to the area may speed up the resolution of the bruising and discoloration.

Sutures

• Sutures may be placed at the time of surgery to minimize post-operative bleeding and to aid in healing. They are not always used for every extraction, so this may not apply to you.
• If dissolvable sutures are used, sutures will usually dissolve and fall out on their own within 3-7 days. It is okay if you swallow them by accident. If they fall out, just remove the suture from your mouth and discard it.
• If non-dissolvable suture materials are used, we will remove them at your next visit. If the removal of sutures is required, no anesthesia or needles are needed. It takes only a minute or so, and there is no discomfort associated with this procedure.

Oral Hygiene

• Mouth cleanliness is essential to good healing. Clean your mouth thoroughly after each meal, beginning the day after surgery. Brush your teeth as best as you can while being careful around the area of surgery.
• Avoid using an electric toothbrush around the surgical area for about one week. This can help prevent irritation of sensitive tissues during the healing process. Instead, use a soft-bristled, manual toothbrush until your tissues have healed.
• Rinse gently with the oral rinse, if prescribed by your doctor, or with warm salt water (1/2 teaspoon salt dissolved in 8 ounces of warm water) 2-3 times a day for 1 week.
• If you were given a curved-tipped syringe after your surgery, please wait ONE WEEK before using it to clean any impacted food out of the surgical sites. Fill the syringe with salt water and gently flush out the lower extraction sockets after eating. We ask that you wait one week before using the syringe because using it before then may result in a dry socket.

Activity

• As a general rule, patients are advised to refrain from strenuous physical activity after wisdom teeth removal for about one week. Avoid exercises that involve a lot of running, jumping, heavy lifting, and bending over, as they can interfere with the healing process.
• Stop exercise immediately if you experience any pain or bleeding from the extraction site.

Diet

• Drink plenty of fluids. Avoid hot liquids or food on the day of surgery.
• Soft, non-chewy foods are recommended for 1 week after surgery, such as mashed potatoes, scrambled eggs, cooked pasta, yogurt, ice cream, applesauce, oatmeal, cottage cheese, soups, and well-cooked vegetables.
• DO NOT eat popcorn, nuts, seeds, or chips for at least 1 week after surgery to prevent an infection in the surgical site from impacted food debris.
• Alcohol should not be mixed with any type of pain medication (over-the-counter or prescription).

Nausea and Vomiting

• After IV sedation, some patients may feel nauseated and vomit. To help avoid this problem, do not take your medications on an empty stomach. Take sips of clear carbonated liquids such as ginger ale or 7Up. Sometimes patients feel nauseated from the prescribed pain medications, particularly the stronger pain medications such as hydrocodone/acetaminophen. Try stopping the pain medications and see if the nausea subsides. If you have continued nausea and vomiting, call our office for further instructions.

Please contact our office if…

• The bleeding continues for more than 24 hours
• You experience a foul taste or smell that comes from the extraction site
• You see discharge in or around the area
• You experience any unusual reactions with the medications that were prescribed to you
• Swelling or pain continues to get worse 72 hours after surgery. Some initial pain and swelling is normal, but long-term pain and swelling could be cause for concern.