Oral surgery is never at the top of anyone's to-do list, but unfortunately it becomes necessary at one point or another. Wisdom teeth do more harm than good, and can lead to cavities and damage to the surrounding teeth. Try these steps to make your surgery go as smoothly and painlessly as possible.
Instructions
1. Prepare before the surgery. You'll need at least a full week to recover. So, you'll want to take care of paying any bills, washing clothes, cleaning, or whatever else might stress you out when you're lying around the house all day. Go ahead and wash your bedsheets, get a lot of pillows to prop up on, and have a bunch of movies and ice cream close at hand for your recovery.
2. Sleep will be a big priority your first few days. You may want to spend the first night sleeping in a recliner so you don't have to lie down. This prevents the blood clots from breaking, causing your teeth to start bleeding again. Make sure to drink plenty of water and eat lots of soft foods, such as ice cream or pudding. Don't get dehydrated!
3. Take your pain medicine as directed. For the first few days don't wait for pain before taking anything. Use the medication as directed and call your doctor if you have any side effects such as nausea or dizziness. Wear an ice pack to prevent swelling. Most doctors will direct you to wear the ice pack for 20 minutes and then allow it to cool in the freezer for 20 to 30 more before applying it again. It's very helpful in the coming days to use it when you're hurting but it's not time for your pain medicine yet.
4. Wait till the second or third day to attempt to brush your teeth with a soft toothbrush and warm water. You can wait several days to try to brush them thoroughly with toothpaste. While you can't brush, try not to eat anything sugary or sticky and rinse gently with warm water.
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