Time To Have Your Wisdom Teeth Removed? 4 Tips To Help You Get Ready For The Procedure
If your dentist has decided that the time has come to have your wisdom teeth removed, you're going to need some advance preparation. Waiting until the day of your surgery to prepare for the recovery is never a good idea, especially when it comes to having your wisdom teeth extracted. Your dentist will provide you with a prescription for pain relievers, and you may also be given an antibiotic to ward off infection, but there are still some things you should do to prepare for your recovery. Here are four things you should put on your to-do list that will help you through the recovery stage.
Have Plenty of Pillows on Hand
Swelling is a natural part of the healing process after a wisdom tooth extraction. However, you can help reduce the amount of swelling you develop by resting, and by keeping your head elevated. If you don't have enough pillows to keep your head elevated for the first few days after the extraction, you should stock up on a few more. It's also a good idea to pick up a few pillow covers. The pillow covers will help prevent your new pillows from getting stained with blood if you drool while you're sleeping.
Get a New Toothbrush
After your extractions, you're going to have an open wound in your mouth for a few days. You can help avoid contamination, and infection, by investing in a new toothbrush. This is particularly important if your old toothbrush is more than a couple months old. If you normally use a medium, or firm, bristle toothbrush, stick to a soft toothbrush until your wound heals from the extractions.
Practice Swishing Fluids
Once you get home, your dentist will want you to swish your mouth with a salt water solution for a few days. If you're not familiar with how to gently swish fluids in your mouth, you could swish too vigorously, which could break the clot loose and lead to excessive bleeding. Before you have your wisdom teeth extracted, practice swishing fluids for a few days.
Pick Up Some Soft Foods
After your surgery, you won't be able to eat solid foods for a while. However, you'll probably be hungry once the anesthesia wears off. As soon as you have your appointment scheduled for your extraction, head down to the store and pick up some soft foods, especially ice cream, pudding, and yogurt. If you're going to eat soup, make sure it doesn't contain chunks of vegetables. Also, you'll want to keep the broth cool for the first day or two. The heat could harm your mouth, and lead to increased bleeding.
Contact a dental office, like Family First Dentistry LLC, for more help.