While getting your wisdom teeth removed by an Ottawa dentist is a common procedure, almost like a rite of passage into adulthood, it is still a form of surgery. Now it may not be as complicated or severe in the way you would usually imagine surgeries, but it’s still oral surgery. And just like any form of surgery, there’s always a process of healing afterwards. Your Ottawa dentist might have given you some anesthesia before the procedure that needs to wear off or maybe you need to take certain steps to maintain hygiene after the procedure; it all depends on the specific circumstances.
The important thing to remember is that as with any surgery, there’s always a level of post-surgery care that is required. After your wisdom teeth have been removed, your Ottawa dentist will give you a list of things that cover post-wisdom teeth removal care. That list will include suggestions of what to eat and what not to eat, but here’s a list of some of the other important post-op instructions to follow and what they can lead to if neglected:
• Take it easy – this can’t be understated. After having your wisdom teeth removed, take the advice of your Ottawa dentist and relax. Strenuous physical activity after surgery can increase the bleeding in your mouth.
• Avoid straws – the sucking that comes with a straw can loosen the blood clot on the surgery spot and delay healing. It can also cause a dry socket to form too, which can cause intense pain.
• Don’t smoke – smoking is a no-no after getting your wisdom teeth extracted. Not only does it have the same sucking effect of a straw, but smoking also decreases the blood supply and can bring contaminants to the affected area.
• Use an ice pack – cold is integral in keeping the swelling of the affected area down. Putting an ice pack on your cheek for 15 minutes at a time will keep the swelling down and make your mouth much more functional.
• Chew gently – it’s going to be hard, but don’t chew like you normally do. Because your mouth will still be numb, if you chew too aggressively you can easily bite your lip, tongue or cheek and cause you to hurt yourself without knowing it until the anaesthesia wears off.
Following the post-surgery instructions from your Ottawa dentist is integral to ensuring proper healing. Without the proper care after your wisdom teeth removal, you risk opening yourself up to a host of other problems that you do not want to deal with. Wisdom teeth removal can be relatively painless and stress-free. All you need to do is follow the instructions of your Ottawa dentist and you’ll be in good hands.
