After Wisdom Tooth Removal

Home Instructions After Wisdom Teeth Extraction

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

PAIN and SWELLING

Swelling will increase over the next 72 hours before it improves.

Ice your face over the surgical site for the first 24 hours. Apply ice for 20 minutes every hour as needed. The ice pack should be applied to the skin overlying the surgical site. After the first 24 hours, you may then apply heat to the skin overlying the surgical site. Follow the instructions on the provided ice/heat pack. An ice pack/heat pack has been provided.

Sleep with your head elevated at 30-45 degrees until swelling improves.

Pain may last for as long as 7-10 days.

BLEEDING

Bleeding may occur from the surgical site. It should be a light ooze. If this occurs, apply a ball of gauze over the area and close your mouth to hold pressure. Hold pressure for approximately 15-20 minutes. You may use a black tea bag instead of gauze. If you are concerned about the bleeding, please contact the office.

DIET

Eat soft foods for the next week. Soft foods include the following: soups, oatmeal, mashed potatoes, bananas, smoothies, noodle dishes, rice dishes, overly cooked vegetables, eggs, tofu, shredded meats or flaky fish.

Try to avoid using a straw for 2 weeks following the procedure.

ACTIVITY

No strenuous exercise for one week. Elevated heart rate will increase bleeding and pain at the surgical sites. You may walk and perform daily activities without concern. Do not go into pools or ocean for one week.

ORAL HYGIENE

Brush your teeth as normal using a soft tooth brush. You may resume using an electric tooth brush once your gums are no longer tender. Swish and spit twice daily with provided mouth rinse (peridex). You may supplement with warm salt water rinses as much as you like.

AVOID SMOKING

Try to avoid cigarette smoking while healing. If you use medicinal marijuana, please continue to use with the following instructions: Please use edibles or an apparatus to minimize pressure changes within the mouth. Avoid marijuana cigarettes.

MEDICATIONS

You may have 3 medications from the pharmacy: 1) antibiotic, take until finished, 2) Motrin (ibuprofen), take every 6 hours as needed, 3) narcotic (hydrocodone or oxycodone), take every 6 hours as needed for pain not relieved by Motrin. It is recommended to take the prescribed pain medication immediately after your procedure prior to the local anesthetic wearing off. You may then take the pain medications as needed after that.

Do NOT drive while taking the narcotic pain medications. All of these prescribed medications are safe to take together. Do Not take the narcotic and Tylenol (acetaminophen) at the same time. The narcotic contains acetaminophen. Do NOT take Motrin if you are taking a blood thinner, have a history of stomach ulcers, or have any kidney disease.

Resume taking all of your normal medications unless directed otherwise. Make sure to inform the office of all of the medications that you are currently taking.

ADDITIONAL SPECIFIC INSTRUCTIONS

You may have sutures at the surgical sites. These sutures will fall out over the next few days.

You may have a small hole at the site of where the tooth or teeth were removed. This hole will take time to close and may take as long as 3-4 weeks.

You may have been provided a syringe. You may start using the syringe 4 days after the surgical procedure. The syringe should be filled with salt water and used to gently flush any food debris out of the surgical site if necessary.

If you have any questions or concerns, please call or text us during business hours at Maui Jaw Surgical Institute Phone Number (808) 242-0077. If your concerns occur after hours, please text the same number and it will be received directly by Dr. Strawn.