Content

• To step
• Part 1 of 2: Preparing for treatment
• Part 2 of 2: Taking care of yourself after the procedure
• Tips
• Warnings
• Necessities

Most people get wisdom teeth between the ages of 17 and 24. In some, the wisdom teeth do not penetrate the gums properly, which can cause pain, swelling, or sores on the gums. A wisdom tooth can also put pressure on the molars next to it, or damage the jawbone. If your wisdom teeth are not coming through properly, you may need to have them pulled. With the right preparation and care, you will quickly recover after pulling a wisdom tooth.

To step

Part 1 of 2: Preparing for treatment

1. Make an appointment with the dentist or dental surgeon. Make sure you make the appointment on a day that you can recover from the procedure. For example, schedule the appointment on a Thursday or Friday so that you have the whole weekend to recover.If you are a woman and are taking the contraceptive pill, make the appointment on a day when you are not menstruating to avoid exposing your jawbone. lie.
   • Your menstrual cycle can affect nausea and vomiting after the procedure. Women who take the Pill may experience nausea and vomiting earlier on days 9 to 15 of their cycle after surgery.
2. Go to the supermarket the day before the procedure. Buy soft, easy-to-eat foods such as apple sauce, chicken soup, yogurt, canned fruit, pudding or cottage cheese. For the first few days after surgery, do not eat foods that require chewing or foods that are very hot or cold.
   • Also remember not to drink alcohol, soda, coffee, or hot drinks for the first few days after the procedure.
3. Stock up on a lot of movies, books or games. You may be in a lot of pain, so make sure you have everything you need to distract yourself. You will have to take it easy for a few days.
4. Find someone who can drive you to the clinic or hospital. You may be a little dazed after the procedure, so have someone drive you home and pick up painkillers from the pharmacy along the way.

Part 2 of 2: Taking care of yourself after the procedure

1. Let the piece of gauze sit for at least 30 minutes where the molar was removed. Do not move the gauze, as this will disrupt the clotting process of the blood. Once you have removed the gauze, clean the wound and leave it alone. Do not spit out blood too often, because the change in pressure in your mouth will disrupt clotting. Instead, put a new piece of gauze in your mouth to absorb the blood.
2. Use a tea bag. If the wound is still bleeding after about 12 hours, take the gauze out and bite a wet tea bag. The tannin in the tea makes your blood clot better, and the caffeine improves blood flow. This stimulates the build-up of clumped platelets in the area that is attached, which speeds up healing.
3. Rinse your mouth with salt water. Put 1 teaspoon of sea salt in 250 ml of warm water. Put some of the solution in your mouth, let it soak for a while and then gently drain it from your mouth into the sink. Do not gargle or spit, as this will loosen the blood clot in the wound. The salt water stimulates healing and reduces irritation.
   • On the day of the procedure, be extra careful when flushing.
   • Only use salt water to rinse your mouth for the first 24 hours. Wait until your dentist advises you to start brushing with your toothbrush again (usually the second day).
4. Use an ice pack for the pain and swelling. Ice against your cheek will help with swelling for the first 24 hours.
   • After 24 to 72 hours, ice may still help with the pain, but no longer against swelling. If you don't have an ice pack, take a bag of frozen peas.
   • Once enough time has passed according to your dentist's directions, you can apply a warm compress to your cheek. If you continue to apply an icepack for too long, your cheek can swell again.
5. Keep your head up. Place 2 or more pillows under your head to keep your mouth elevated, whether you're sleeping on the couch or on your bed. This reduces the swelling.
6. Keep everything you need to hand. You'll need water, gauze pads, painkillers, and maybe antibiotics, so keep them nearby so you don't have to get up and walk to the bathroom all the time.
7. Don't drink with a straw. By creating a vacuum in your mouth, the blood clot can loosen, which slows down the healing process.
8. Do not smoke or drink alcohol. Both activities hinder healing. Wait at least 72 hours after the procedure before you start smoking again (but longer is even better).
9. Control the pain. You can take painkillers prescribed by your dentist or take over-the-counter remedies such as ibuprofen for pain, inflammation and swelling. Do not take aspirin, as it thins your blood and makes the wound less likely to heal.
   • Take a painkiller right away when you leave the dentist or hospital. Take them with something to eat so that you don't get nauseous. The anesthetic may still work, so you don't think you need painkillers. However, once the anesthetic has worn off, you will notice that it still hurts quite a bit.
   • Do not drive or operate heavy machinery for the first 24 hours. This can be dangerous because of the anesthetic in combination with the painkillers.
   • Call your doctor if you are very nauseous or vomit. Your doctor can then prescribe other painkillers that will not make you feel ill.
10. Ask for help. Count on your partner, friends, or family to take care of you while you recover. Ask them to take your calls, do chores for you around the house, and prepare food for you until you feel better.

Tips

• Lubricate your lips well, as they will become very dry.
• Eat only soft foods for a week.
• Cover your pillow with a towel to keep blood from getting on it.
• Continue to brush your teeth and tongue after the procedure. Be very careful and do not rinse with mouthwash.
• Use a bag of frozen peas to numb the pain, as it molds well to your cheek.
• Set an alarm on your phone to remind you to take your medication.
• Gargle with salt water after each meal.
• Rinse your mouth with a little olive oil. This loosens plaque, which is handy because you now have to brush your teeth very carefully.
• Baby food is a good alternative. Don't forget to spice it up a bit if you wish!
• A nutritious dinner is, for example, mashed potatoes, humus and goat cheese. Delicious dessert: Greek yogurt.

Warnings

• Contact your dentist or dental surgeon if you are still bleeding after 24 hours; if it hurts a lot when you open your jaw; if you have damage to crowns, bridges or roots of the molars next to it; if your jawbone becomes exposed or if your mouth or lips are still numb for 24 hours after the procedure.
• Get prescribed antibiotics if you have a weakened immune system or if you get infections easily. Also ask for antibiotics if you have artificial valves in your heart or if you have a congenital heart defect.

Necessities

• Soft, easy-to-eat foods
• Movies, books, games
• Mesh
• Teabags
• salt
• Water
• Icepack
• Warm compress
• Pillows
• Painkillers