Common Questions After Wisdom Tooth Removal

What should I take to alleviate the pain after my extractions?
Will I have sutures (stitches) where the wisdom teeth were removed?
I have something white and sharp poking out of the gum near where the extraction was. Should I be concerned?
Will I have nerve damage?
What are dry sockets?
How do I know if I have a dry socket?
Will I swell after my wisdom teeth are removed?
Can I brush my teeth after getting my wisdom teeth removed?
Can I gargle after getting my wisdom teeth removed?
What can I eat after my wisdom teeth are removed?
Can I work out after getting my wisdom teeth removed?
Can I travel after getting my wisdom teeth removed?
Can I smoke after getting my wisdom teeth removed?

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What should I take to alleviate the pain after my extractions?

Following the after-care instructions given to you by our assistants will help make the recovery process easier. We recommend icing 30 minutes on, 30 minutes off. Depending on your health/medical history, we may also prescribe pain medication to use after wisdom teeth removal.

Will I have sutures (stitches) where the wisdom teeth were removed?

Not everyone gets sutures placed, but if you do, they will dissolve on their own within a couple of weeks. If, after a few weeks, your stitches are still present and need to be removed, please contact our office to have them taken out.

I have something white and sharp poking out of the gum near where the extraction was. Should I be concerned?

After surgical extractions, patients may discover tooth or pieces of the bone working their way to the surface of the extraction site (known as a “bone spur”). Don’t worry – this is a common occurrence. When the tooth is being extracted, pieces of the tooth’s bony socket may break off during the process. These slivers cannot be integrated into the healing tissues so your body will naturally begin to eject them, causing them to penetrate through the gum tissue. They typically will fall out on their own if given enough time. If not, please give our office a call and we can easily remove the fragment.

Will I have nerve damage?

While nerve damage is a potential complication associated with wisdom teeth removal, our Doctors will do their best to minimize that possibility. Panoramic x-rays are used to evaluate the wisdom teeth position because not only are we able to see the root tips, but we are also able to see where your nerve is. If the root is close to the nerve, our Doctors may opt to perform a Coronectomy, where the crown of the tooth is removed, but the roots are left intact to eventually heal over with the bone.

What are dry sockets?

Once the tooth is removed, there is a hole in the bone called a socket. A blood clot forms in that area to protect the bone and nerves underneath. If that clot becomes dislodged or aggravated, it will cause the bone and nerve to be exposed to air, fluids and food, causing an infection – or a dry socket.

How do I know if I have a dry socket?

Dry sockets typically occur three to four days after wisdom teeth removal. Some symptoms include pain that radiates to your ear and is not alleviated after taking pain medication, bad breath or an unpleasant taste/smell in your mouth.

Will I swell after my wisdom teeth are removed?

After wisdom teeth removal, it is normal to experience swelling and bruising. The swelling usually improves after a few days while the bruising may take a few more to clear up. Use the ice pack as directed by our office.

Can I brush my teeth after getting my wisdom teeth removed?

Avoid brushing your teeth for the first 24 hours. After that, you may begin to brush your teeth, but be sure to be gentle around the extraction sites (try to avoid as much as possible).

Can I gargle after getting my wisdom teeth removed?

Avoid gargling for the first 24 hours. Following that, you are able to SWISH LIGHTLY with warm salt water or mouth wash, but do not vigorously gargle.

What can I eat after my wisdom teeth are removed?

Following surgery, we recommend sticking with soft, cooler foods including (but not limited to) apple sauce, mashed potatoes, mac ‘n cheese, steamed vegetables, well-cooked pasta, cream of wheat, soft fish, smooth soups, pancakes, canned fruit, beans, scrambled eggs, ice cream, milkshakes (without a straw), yogurt, pudding and cottage cheese.

Foods to avoid would include spicy foods, anything with seeds, hard or chewy foods (like chips or crackers), acidic foods and drinks, and anything with small particles (for example – broccoli).

Can I work out after getting my wisdom teeth removed?

We recommend waiting three-four days following wisdom teeth removal to exercise or participate in any vigorous activity. Exercising too early could aggravate the blood clot and increase your recovery time as well as discomfort.

Can I travel after getting my wisdom teeth removed?

We recommend waiting at least a day or two following wisdom teeth removal to travel (as mentioned, third or fourth day is the peak of discomfort). However, it is safe to fly after or travel after surgery (it will not affect your bleeding or healing process).

Can I smoke after getting my wisdom teeth removed?

We recommend waiting 48 hours to smoke. A blood clot needs to develop over the extraction site in order to heal and the act of inhaling will cause it to burst. This could delay the healing process and potentially lead to dry sockets.