Wisdom Teeth Extraction

Controlling Bleeding

• Bite firmly on the gauze for 2–3 hours, changing it every 20 minutes or whenever it gets damp.
• Some oozing is normal for 24–48 hours.
• Rest with your head elevated on two pillows. Lying flat can increase bleeding, swelling, and dizziness.

Managing Swelling

• First 48–72 hours: use ice packs on your cheeks.
• Days 3–5: switch to heat (low-setting heating pad is best). Use as often as possible until swelling goes away.

Rinsing & Oral Care

• Do not rinse your mouth for the first 24 hours.
• After 24 hours, start warm salt-water rinses (1 tsp salt in 1 cup lukewarm water).
• Do not swish. Fill your mouth, gently turn your head side to side, and let the water fall out. Do this for the first 7 days.
• Brush your teeth as best you can, even if it’s uncomfortable, for about a week.

Eating

• First 48 hours: stay on a liquid diet and do not use a straw.
• After day 1, rinse gently after each meal.
• Return to normal foods gradually by day 7.
• Avoid food getting packed into the socket—it can cause pain and infection.
• Good choices: smoothies, mashed potatoes, instant breakfast drinks, liquid nutrition shakes, soup, yogurt, applesauce, broth, pudding, popsicles, Jell-O®, ice cream, water.

Medications

• Pick up prescriptions before surgery or on the way home.
• Take medications with food. Follow your medication schedule carefully.
• Have someone wake you if needed so you take pain medication on time.

Stitches

• Stitches dissolve on their own in about 2 weeks.
• If they fall out early, that’s okay.
• If still present after 1 week, try rinsing more vigorously.
• If they don’t come out, call the office.

Syringe Instructions

• Start using the syringe 48 hours after surgery.
• Clean only the bottom holes gently.
• Rinse 3 times a day or after meals with warm tap water.
• Continue until the holes close. Do not over-rinse.

Bleeding Won’t Stop

• Make sure gauze or another absorbent material is directly over the surgical site.
• Bite down firmly for 15 minutes, change, and repeat.
• A cold, wet washcloth can also help.

Pain

• Pain is normal after wisdom tooth removal.
• Take pain medications as directed and rest.
• Ice packs during the first 3 days help reduce discomfort.

Vomiting

• Can occur from surgery, anesthesia, or medication.
• It usually does not harm the surgical site.
• If bleeding starts again, gently rinse and place gauze back over the area.

Dry Socket

A dry socket happens when the blood clot inside the extraction site becomes dislodged, leaving the bone exposed. This causes pain in the jaw, ear, or temple.

• How to prevent it:
  • NO SMOKING for 5–7 days (huge risk factor).
  • Follow the liquid diet instructions.
  • Take pain medication as directed.
  • Avoid intense physical activity for 5–7 days.
• Signs of dry socket:
  • Pain that gets worse around day 3.
  • Pain that is severe, constant, and doesn’t improve with ibuprofen/Tylenol®.
  • If this happens, call the office.

After-Hours Assistance

• This is not an emergency line. For true emergencies, call 911 or go to the ER.
• If no one answers, leave a message with: patient’s name, date of surgery, and your question.
• Calls/messages are returned between 8am–8pm.
• If unsure about something, read the instruction sheet again.