20 Jul Wisdom Teeth Removal: What are post-extraction considerations?
Having your wisdom teeth removed doesn’t have to be terribly disruptive to your schedule. The procedure is relatively routine at this point. However, it does involve a surgical procedure, and post-extraction complications can derail your recovery. Here are some considerations for an uneventful recuperation after wisdom tooth extraction.
Preventing infection will keep your healing process on track, so it’s important to follow the instructions provided by your oral surgeon to keep the extraction site clean and free from bacteria. You may need to adjust your brushing and flossing routine in the days immediately after your wisdom teeth are removed, but you still need to use alternative techniques recommended by your oral surgeon in order to keep the area clean. Your oral surgeon may also prescribe a course of prophylactic (preventive) antibiotics. If so, be sure to take the entire prescription, even if you are not symptomatic. Discontinuing antibiotics too soon may make you susceptible to infection.
Another common complication following wisdom tooth extraction is dry sockets. This painful condition develops when the blood clots either fail to form or are dislodged too soon from the tender empty socket. Your oral surgeon will also give you instructions to reduce your risk of this issue, and you should follow these closely, as well. For starters, avoid drinking straws until you have healed completely from the procedure. Smoking can also interfere with the healing process, so you should abstain from this habit for at least a few weeks. Ideally, you’ll choose to give up cigarettes for good at this opportunity. You may also need to include mainly softer foods in your diet for a few days to give yourself time to heal.
If you have any other questions about aftercare following your wisdom tooth extraction, contact our office and speak to one of our experienced team members. We are quite familiar with the problems most often encountered by patients after having their wisdom teeth removed, and we can make recommendations to help you reduce your risk.