If you’re planning to have surgery to take out wisdom teeth, there are a few important things you need to know about post-operative care in order to make your wisdom teeth removal as safe and pleasant as possible. Below, we’ve outlined the five most important things to keep in mind as you enter the recovery process after your surgery.
1. Rest : the importance of rest and relaxation cannot be over-emphasized. During even the most minor of surgeries, the body undergoes trauma that only rest can help it recover from. So don’t return to school or work the next day — take a few days to a week to return to your normal routine.
2. Proper pain medication : after your surgery to take out wisdom teeth, you will be given one or more types of pain medication. The most important thing to remember is to take the medication exactly as you are told by your doctor, and make sure to take it before your pain becomes bad, since it will take a while for it to become effective.
3. Ice and Anti-inflammatories: you will likely experience some inflammation of the tissues in your mouth after your surgery. It is important to ice the jaw area, and to take an anti-inflammatory, like ibuprofen, regularly or as directed by your doctor. Ice and anti-inflammatories will also help relieve pain.
4. Eat carefully: many people who have had surgery to take out wisdom teeth try to eat solid food too soon after their wisdom teeth removal. This can be dangerous, since solid food can knock out the protective blood clots that have formed over your wounds, possibly causing a nasty infection. So make sure to drink liquids and semi-solid, soft food for several days to a week after your surgery.
5. Beware what you put in your mouth : many people aren’t aware that after their wisdom teeth extraction , they will have to avoid two major culprits of infection and poor healing : drinking straws and cigarettes. Both of these things involve pulling air somewhat forcefully into the mouth, and therefore are quite likely to knock out one of those important blood clots. So take a break from smoking and any other habit that involves putting things in your mouth.
Source by Christopher W Smith