The removal of impacted wisdom teeth is a serious surgical procedure. Post-operative care is very important, as unnecessary pain and complications such as infection and swelling can be minimized if these instructions are followed carefully. The gauze pad placed over the surgical area should be kept in place for 30 minutes. After this time, the gauze pad should be removed and discarded. Vigorous mouth rinsing or touching the wound area following surgery should be avoided.

Immediate Care Steps

Take prescribed pain medications as soon as you begin to feel discomfort. This will usually coincide with the local anesthetic wearing off. Restrict your activities the day of surgery and resume normal activity when you feel comfortable. Place ice packs on the sides of your face where surgery was performed. Apply ice continuously while you are awake for the first 36 hours.

Controlling Bleeding and Swelling

A certain amount of bleeding is to be expected following surgery. Slight bleeding, oozing, or redness in the saliva is not uncommon. Excessive bleeding may be controlled by first rinsing or wiping any old clots from your mouth, then placing a gauze pad over the area and biting firmly for 30 minutes. If bleeding continues, bite on a moistened black tea bag for 30 minutes. The tannic acid in the black tea helps to form a clot by contracting bleeding vessels.

Swelling around the mouth, cheeks, eyes, and sides of the face is not uncommon. This is the body’s normal reaction to surgery and eventual repair. The swelling will not become apparent until the day after surgery and will not reach its maximum until 2 to 3 days post-operatively. After 36 hours, ice has no beneficial effect. Thirty-six hours after surgery, applying moist heat to the sides of the face helps reduce swelling.

Diet and Oral Care

After general anesthesia or IV sedation, only liquids should be consumed initially. Drink from a glass and skip straws. You may eat anything soft by chewing away from the surgical sites. A high-calorie, high-protein intake is very important. Nourishment should be taken regularly. At least five to six glasses of liquid should be taken daily. No rinsing of any kind should be performed until the day following surgery. The day after surgery, begin rinsing at least five to six times a day, especially after eating, with a teaspoon of salt mixed into one cup of warm water. Brushing your teeth is fine, just be gentle at the surgical sites.