Tips for a Quick Recovery after Wisdom Teeth Removal

If you’re preparing to have your wisdom teeth removed, you’ve likely heard a few horror stories here and there about painful recoveries. Fortunately, there’s a lot you can do to prevent any particularly unpleasant scenarios during your own recovery. Here are a few tips to help you heal as quickly as possible.

Listen to your oral surgeon

Everyone’s wisdom teeth are different, so it’s essential to listen carefully to your oral surgeon. Follow all post-procedure directions they give you, especially when it comes to pain medication and caring for the extraction site.

Watch what you eat

It may not be fun to avoid solid foods, but it’s a crucial part of a fast recovery. Consuming only liquids and soft foods for 24–48 hours after surgery helps protect blood clots forming in the extraction site that aid in healing. A few safe food options include:

• Blended soups or broths (at room temperature or cooler)

• Smoothies

• Yogurt

• Mashed potatoes

• Applesauce

• Oatmeal

• Cottage cheese

Be sure to avoid foods that are hard, crunchy, spicy, or chewy, as well as anything that can get lodged in the sockets, such as nuts and seeds. You should also avoid drinking from a straw for at least 24 hours.

Keep your head elevated

For the first three days after surgery, try to keep your head elevated as much as possible. When you sleep, use pillows to keep your upper body at or near a 45-degree angle. This will help reduce swelling and excess blood near the wound. You can also ice your cheek on the affected area for 20-minute increments to decrease swelling.

Keep the wound area clean

Avoiding infection will help you recover faster. Try using an antiseptic mouth rinse to eliminate bacteria, but remember to rinse gently to avoid tearing stitches or damaging blood clots, which can lead to dry socket. You can brush your teeth, but brush gently and avoid getting too close to the recovery area.

If you have additional questions about recovering from wisdom teeth removal, give us a call at (801) 621-1912, or stop by our office today!