New Braunfels Dentists’ Tips for Recovering from Wisdom Teeth Extraction

Although Sapphire Creek Dental makes getting your wisdom teeth removed as painless as possible, it’s still an uncomfortable experience. However, don’t let your fear of the procedure deter you. Instead, arm yourself with these recovery tips from our New Braunfels dentists, Dr. Archie Gomez and Dr. Kimberly Cuddy. 

Give Yourself A Chance to Recover

Texans have a strong work ethic, so we’re used to seeing patients who want to get back to normal right after a procedure. Consider this your permission to relax. Even if you didn’t require one of our sedation dentistry options and had your wisdom teeth removed under local anesthesia, you still underwent surgery. Give your body a chance to heal. 

Take it easy for the first few days and avoid any strenuous activities that could cause complications. This includes hitting the gym—bending and heavy lifting can shift the blood clots at the extraction site, causing bleeding and putting you at risk of dry socket. 

Don’t Underestimate Simple Remedies

You don’t need to overcomplicate your post-op care. Ice is one of the best ways to bring down swelling and reduce pain. Use ice packs on your cheeks to help with the inflammation. 

Saltwater rinses are also a great tool for combatting pain. Mix a teaspoon of salt with a cup of warm water and gently swish the solution around in your mouth for about 30 seconds. Let it drain from your mouth; spitting can also dislodge the clots at your extraction site. 

Get Creative With Recipes

A few hours after the procedure, you can try eating, but we advise you to stick with soft foods for the first week. Smoothies, mashed potatoes, soup, scrambled eggs, and applesauce are all staples for wisdom teeth extraction patients, but that can get old very fast. You can prepare in advance by scoping out new, soft recipes to try while you’re recovering. 

By the second week, you can typically start incorporating more solid foods into your diet. However, still stay away from hard, crunchy, or chewy foods. These can irritate the extraction sites as well as be hard on your jaw, which can get a little sore from the procedure. 

Drink A Lot But Not With Straws

A lot of patients don’t realize just how important drinking fluids is to their oral health. It isn’t just to avoid dehydration. By getting enough water, you keep your mouth clean, flushing out bacteria that’s hiding away in your teeth and gums. 

We’ve already mentioned bending, lifting, and spitting as actions that can dislodge the blood clots. Now, we’re adding drinking through a straw to the list. Wait two weeks before sticking a straw in that smoothie. 

Attend Follow-Ups With Our Dentist in New Braunfels

We’ll schedule a follow-up appointment after your surgery to check on your recovery. Be sure to attend this appointment and any others we recommend to ensure you’re progressing as you should. 

Contact Us with Wisdom Tooth Questions

Following these tips can help make wisdom tooth removal much more manageable, and with proper care and rest, you’ll be back to your normal routine in no time. However, this isn’t the only info we give you post-op. You’ll get specific instructions from us as well as ways to contact us for help. You can also reach out to Sapphire Creek Dental at any time to schedule your extraction or just ask about the procedure.