Post-operative Care

• Rest at home after the surgery at least for 12 hours. .
• Do not drive, engage in active exercise, or operate machinery.
• Take couple of days off work, school or other duties.
• Do not drink alcoholic drinks while you are taking antibiotics or pain Killers.
• Eat soft foods such as soups, blended (pureed) vegetables and meats, and gelatine for the first two days.
• Drink lots of water.
• Use ice packs to reduce swelling and pain.

Having your wisdom teeth removed can be a stressful experience. As with all surgery there will be an element of discomfort and pain after the operation. There are ways to lessen the discomfort and promote faster healing after you have had your wisdom teeth removed.

This is one of the easiest ways to reduce pain and promote faster healing. Generally, the day after surgery the dentist will ask you to gently bathe the extraction holes in warm salt water. It’s important not to do it directly after surgery but the next day after. The salt will help keep the extraction holes clean and destroy any bacteria. Salt is also one of nature’s nation painkillers.

The dentist may prescribe an antiseptic mouth to use after surgery. Again, it’s important to only use the mouthwash as prescribed, which is usually morning and night starting the day after surgery. The antiseptic mouthwash will help kill any bacteria that may cause infection. It’s important to gently bathe the open sockets, as vigorous mouth washing could disrupt the blood clot at the base of the extraction hole or irritate the area.

For a couple of days after surgery utilise ice packs on your face. The ice packs will help control the swelling as well as reduce pain. It’s important to keep them on your face consistently and rotate the ice packs to ensure that they are constantly cold.

The dentist will prescribe you pain killers to help manage the pain. It’s important to take the painkillers on a regular basis and use them until they are gone. One common mistake that people make is that they start to feel better and stop taking them. Only for the pain to get worse before it gets better.

It’s important to eat after surgery, as soon as you feel comfortable to do so. Some people think that they shouldn’t to avoid damaging the area. It’s important to remember that good nutrition is one of the keys to helping promote fast healing. Make sure that you eat soft foods such as scrambled eggs, soft weetbix, yoghurt, baby food or a smoothie.

Antibiotics are the key to avoiding infection and promoting fast healing. It’s extremely important to continue taking your antibiotics until the prescription is finished. Often people stop when they start to feel better. If you do this you risk the bacteria coming back and causing you pain and grief.

All surgery carries risk and has pain and discomfort associated with it. If you make sure that you use salt water and antiseptic mouthwash to keep the extracted holes clean and bacteria free, that you use ice packs to reduce swelling and finish your courses of painkillers and antibiotics and adjust your diet correctly you will lessen the time it takes to recover and feel better.