Your teeth are an important part of your body, so it’s normal to be concerned about how wisdom teeth extraction will affect you, especially if you’re not used to dental procedures. After having your wisdom teeth removed, it’s important to follow your dentist’s instructions closely so that you can recover as quickly and safely as possible. This includes avoiding some of the things that you may normally do on a regular basis. Luckily, your dentist in Cedar Rapids put together a quick guide to show you what you should avoid during recovery.
Smoking
One of the most important things to avoid after having your wisdom teeth removed is smoking. Smoking is one of the main causes of dry socket, an infection that can happen in the surgical site. Dry socket can cause severe pain that may last for several days, so it’s wise to do everything you can to avoid it. Smoking can also slow down the healing process because it causes blood vessels to shrink which also diminishes the amount of oxygen that can get to the wound to promote healing. Less oxygen means a longer healing time and more risk for infection. Avoid smoking for at least five days after your procedure.
Exercising
You may think that if more oxygen flow means faster recovery then exercising would be beneficial. However, exercising or performing strenuous activities such as bending or lifting can actually encourage bleeding and cause pain and swelling. The best thing to do for a few days after surgery is to get comfortable on a bed or couch, find something good to watch on TV, or read a good book. Relax until you’re cleared by your dentist in Cedar Rapids to exercise.
Drinking
While it’s important to drink plenty of water during recovery, you should avoid alcohol for at least 72 hours or as recommended by your dentist. It’s also important to remember to avoid drinking anything out of a straw. The sucking pressure required when drinking from a straw can easily loosen the blood clots in the surgical sites. These clots are a necessary part of proper healing so we don’t want them to become loose too soon.
Brushing
Usually, your dentist in Cedar Rapids recommends that everyone brushes their teeth twice a day. However, after having your wisdom teeth taken out it’s important to not brush your teeth until 24 hours after surgery or as recommended by your dentist. After the first day, you can most likely resume brushing, but make sure to brush gently during healing.
Eating
Your dentist in Cedar Rapids will recommend eating a soft diet for a few days after your surgery. This is an important part of the healing process, so you don’t want to eat anything too hard, crunchy, or chewy. Avoid foods like nuts, seeds, veggies, pretzels, or crackers. Instead, try some of the following safe foods:
- Applesauce
- Oatmeal
- Yogurt
- Warm soup (not too hot)
- Mashed potatoes
- Pudding
While wisdom teeth removal can cause stress and worry, there are things you can do to make the experience go quickly. Use these tips and tricks to recover fast and avoid unnecessary pain. The sooner you begin following these steps, the sooner you’ll be able to get back on your feet. If you follow these guidelines, you’ll soon find yourself feeling more refreshed than ever before.