Wisdom Teeth Removal

• For your safety, don’t eat or drink after midnight prior to your surgery. Very serious complications can arise, such as regurgitation and airway obstruction when administering anesthesia on a full stomach.
• You can help avoid unpleasant and unsafe interactions from anesthesia by being honest and upfront about any over-the-counter and prescribed medications you have taken. The same can also be said about any recreational drug use or alcohol use, which can pose other procedural challenges.
• You should not smoke for 12 hours prior to your procedure.
• You will be resting at home for at least a couple of days after your procedure, so prepare the room where you will rest ahead of time.
  Make sure to add soft foods to your grocery list for when you return home to rest. These can include soup, mashed potatoes, yogurt, apple sauce, smoothies, and ice cream.

It’s perfectly normal to be nervous about having your wisdom teeth removed, but you can rest assured our team at Austin Oral Surgery is highly experienced with this procedure. Generally, the steps involved in a wisdom tooth extraction procedure can be outlined as:

• An incision is made in the gum to expose the tooth and bone
• Any bone blocking access to the tooth root will be removed
• The tooth can be divided into sections for easier removal
• The tooth is removed, and the site of the extraction is cleaned
• If necessary, the gum will be sutured closed to promote optimal healing
• Gauze is applied to the extraction site to manage bleeding

After having your wisdom teeth removed, following your oral surgeon’s aftercare instructions is essential to optimize your recovery process. You may likely experience some swelling and pain, but it’s important not to interrupt the healing process. There are certain activities that can negatively impact the natural formation of blood clotting at the site of the extraction that can lead to a condition called a dry socket, which can be a painful complication caused when nerves are exposed from improper clotting. These are some general tips that will help you heal safely and properly:

• Some bleeding will most likely continue to occur the first day after your procedure. Avoid excessive spitting so you don’t dislodge or disturb the blood clot, and replace gauze as directed by your surgeon.
• Use ice packs to help manage swelling, which should subside after two or three days.
• Take pain medication as directed or prescribed by your oral surgeon to help manage pain.
• Do not consume alcohol, carbonated, caffeinated, or hot beverages within the first 24 hours of your procedure. Don’t drink with a straw, as this can lead to dislodging the blood clot from the extraction site.
• Drink plenty of water after surgery. Eat only soft foods, especially within the first 24 hours after your procedure. Avoid hard, chewy, hot, and spicy foods, as these can irritate the wound. Resume eating semisoft foods once you’re confident you can tolerate them.
• Do not rinse your mouth, use mouthwash, or brush your teeth during the first 24 hours following the procedure. When you do resume brushing your teeth, be very gentle around the extraction site. Gently rinse your mouth with warm saltwater for up to a week.
• Do not smoke for at least 72 hours after your procedure! Smoking after oral surgery can delay the healing process and lead to serious health risks and complications.