Wisdom Teeth Postoperative Instructions

Home Care

1. Bite on gauze firmly for about 2-3 hours, changing every 20 minutes or when gauze gets saturated. Place gauze directly over extraction socket. The main bleeding will usually last 2-6 hours, but may continue longer. You can expect slight oozing for up to 24 - 48 hours. When resting today, keep your head slightly elevated using two pillows. Lying down flat or trying to get up too soon may cause more bleeding and swelling.
2. Apply ice packs to areas of surgery for the first 48 hours following surgery. On the third day following wisdom teeth surgery, apply low heat to the swollen areas as often and as long as possible. Either moist or dry heat will help. Continue heat for the next few days until swelling disappears.
3. Do not rinse the mouth for 24 hours. After 24 hours you may start rinsing with warm water rinses. The warmer the water the better. Rinse 6 to 8 times a day. Do this every day until healing is complete.
4. First day, a liquid diet is best, drinking as many fluids as possible. Second day, start a soft diet and begin chewing food when you feel you are able without discomfort. Be sure to rinse gently after each meal. The sooner you are back to a normal diet, the faster you will recover.
5. Pick up the prescriptions on your way home or as soon as possible. Eat one of the suggested foods within 2 hours of arriving home, and take a pain tablet 30 minutes later. 

Please follow directions on YOUR PRESCRIPTION BOTTLE
for further use of pain medicine

• Lortab 5 (Pain Killer) - 1-2 tablets every 4-6 hours as needed for pain.
• Ibuprofen 800 (Pain Killer) - 1 tablet every 6 hours as needed for pain. Take this pill 3 hours after the Lortab, and then continue to take 1 tablet in between each Lortab.
• Keflex (Antibiotic) - 1 tablet 4 times a day. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner and Bedtime

Possible Wisdom Teeh Postoperative Complications and Solutions

In case of extreme pain, uncontrollable bleeding, or any unusual disturbances, feel free to telephone our office. However, some of the most common postoperative problems can be easily dealt with at home.

• Bleeding will not stop - See #1 above. Be sure that gauze, towels, or something absorbent is placed directly over the surgical site and bite down firmly. Maintain for 20 minutes, change gauze and repeat. If continuous bleeding does not stop within 2 hours, please call the office.
• Uncontrolled pain - Wisdom Tooth Removal is a complex surgery involving skin, muscle, bone and nerves. Postoperative pain and discomfort are normal and part of recovery. The doctor can do very little to decrease your pain in the first 72 hours. Please take your pain medications as indicated and get plenty of rest. If pain spikes after day three, please call the office.
• Vomiting - Vomiting may be a side effect of IV anesthesia. However, it does very little to harm the surgical site. Vomiting will normally cause the sockets to begin to bleed. Gently rinse the vomit from your mouth and follow the instruction noted above under “bleeding will not stop…”

Dry Socket

Dry Socket is an uncommon problem following wisdom teeth removal, but may occur. It is most commonly seen after removal of lower wisdom teeth. The problem arises because the normal blood clot that first forms in the extraction socket is subsequently lost, leaving the socket empty or “dry.” Exposed nerve endings inside the socket can cause pain felt in the jaws, the adjacent teeth, the ear (earache), and/or the temple (headache).

Using the prescribed antibiotic gives the best chance of avoiding dry socket.

Patients who smoke are more at risk of getting Dry Socket. Avoid smoking for the first week after surgery.

Pain that increases three days after tooth extraction and that typically becomes severe and unrelenting is the best sign of dry socket. If you experience this type of pain, please call our office or emergency number.