Having your wisdom teeth removed can be a daunting prospect. While the procedure is relatively straightforward, there are some important do’s and don’ts to keep in mind before and after your surgery. Knowing what you can and can’t do after wisdom teeth removal is important for a successful recovery. In this article, we will discuss what activities you should avoid for the first few days after your wisdom teeth removal procedure.After wisdom teeth removal, it is important to avoid certain activities in order to ensure a successful recovery. These activities include smoking, drinking alcohol, drinking through a straw, eating hard or tough foods, and participating in strenuous physical activities. Additionally, it is important to avoid brushing or flossing the area around the extraction site for at least the first 24 hours after the procedure. Finally, patients should take any prescribed medications as directed and follow all instructions from their dentist or oral surgeon.
Foods You Should Not Eat After Wisdom Teeth Removal
It is important to be aware of the foods you should avoid eating after wisdom teeth removal. Eating the wrong foods can result in complications and increase your risk of infection. To ensure a successful recovery, here are some of the foods you should not eat after wisdom teeth removal:
Hard or Crunchy Foods: Hard and crunchy foods can irritate your gums and cause pain. Avoid eating foods such as chips, popcorn, nuts, hard candy, and other crunchy snacks.
Sticky Foods: Sticky foods can stick to the surgical area and irritate your gums. Avoid eating gum, caramels, taffy, marshmallows, and other sticky treats.
Spicy Foods: Spicy foods can cause irritation in the mouth and may lead to further complications or even infection. Avoid eating spicy dishes such as curries, spicy wings, hot peppers, and other spicy snacks.
Acidic Foods: Acidic foods may cause irritation and pain at the surgical site. Avoid eating citrus fruits such as oranges, lemons, limes, grapefruits; tomatoes; vinegar; pickles; and other acidic snacks or dishes.
Sugary Drinks: Sugary drinks should be avoided during recovery because they can increase your risk of infection. Avoid drinking soda or juice with added sugar or any other sugary beverage.
It is important to follow your dentist’s instructions for a successful recovery after wisdom teeth removal. Eating the right kinds of food will help promote healing and reduce any discomfort during recovery.
Activities to Avoid After Wisdom Teeth Removal
It is important for patients to understand the importance of following instructions after wisdom teeth removal. There are certain activities that should be avoided to ensure a complete and successful recovery. These activities include strenuous physical activity, drinking alcohol, smoking, and eating certain foods.
Strenuous physical activity should be avoided for at least 48 hours following surgery. This includes any exercise that could cause excessive swelling or bleeding in the area of the surgery. Patients should also avoid lifting heavy objects or engaging in any type of sports or strenuous activity for at least one week after the procedure.
It is also important to avoid drinking alcohol for at least 24 hours after wisdom teeth removal. Alcohol can cause dehydration and can interfere with the healing process. Smoking should also be avoided as it can slow down the healing process and interfere with proper blood flow to the area where the teeth were removed.
Patients should also avoid eating hard, crunchy or chewy foods for at least 48 hours after surgery. These types of foods can irritate and damage the surgical site, which could lead to infection. Soft foods like mashed potatoes, soup, yogurt and other similar foods are recommended until the area has healed completely.
By avoiding these activities after wisdom teeth removal, patients can ensure that their recovery process goes smoothly and they can get back to their normal activities as soon as possible. It is important to follow all instructions from your dentist in order to ensure a successful recovery and avoid any potential complications from occurring.
Medications You Should Not Take After Wisdom Teeth Removal
It is important to be aware of the medications that should not be taken after wisdom teeth removal. These medications can interact negatively with the healing process and can cause complications. Pain relievers such as ibuprofen, naproxen, and aspirin should not be taken following wisdom teeth removal for at least seven days. These medications are known to increase bleeding and therefore can delay the healing process.
Antibiotics should only be taken as prescribed by your dentist or surgeon as they can interact with other medications you may be taking. It is important to follow the instructions provided by your dentist or surgeon when taking antibiotics, as they can increase the risk of infection if taken incorrectly.
Vitamins and supplements should also not be taken without consulting a doctor before hand, as some vitamins and supplements can interfere with the healing process. In particular, Vitamin E and fish oil are known to increase bleeding after surgery and should not be taken until after your surgeon has given you the go-ahead.
Alcohol should also not be consumed for at least 24 hours after surgery, as it can interfere with the healing process and may cause excessive bleeding. Smoking cigarettes should also be avoided for at least 48 hours following wisdom teeth removal, as it too can interfere with recovery time.
It is important to speak to your dentist or surgeon before taking any medication or supplements following wisdom teeth removal in order to avoid any potential complications that could arise from doing so. By following these instructions carefully you will ensure a safe recovery time following your procedure.
Oral Hygiene Habits to Avoid After Wisdom Teeth Removal
It is important to maintain a healthy oral hygiene routine after wisdom teeth removal. However, there are certain habits that you should avoid in order to ensure a successful recovery. Brushing and flossing too soon after surgery can irritate the area and cause further damage. Additionally, you should avoid using any type of mouthwash that contains alcohol or other harsh chemicals. These can further aggravate the area and cause additional pain and discomfort.
It is also important to avoid eating hard or crunchy foods for at least two weeks after the procedure. These types of food can get stuck in the wound site and cause infection or irritation. You should also avoid using straws or sucking on hard candies as these can lead to dry sockets which will significantly prolong recovery time.
Finally, it is best to avoid smoking for at least a week after surgery, as this can interfere with healing and increase the risk of complications such as dry sockets or infection. Quitting smoking altogether is always recommended for optimal oral health.
Don’t Smoke or Chew Tobacco After Wisdom Teeth Removal
It is important to avoid smoking or chewing tobacco after wisdom teeth removal. Smoking can slow the healing process and increase the risk of infection, while chewing tobacco can cause irritation and pain. It is best to wait at least 48 hours after surgery before smoking or using any type of tobacco product.
If you do choose to smoke or chew tobacco, it is important to take extra care when doing so. Be sure to avoid touching the surgical site with your hands, as this can introduce bacteria and increase the risk of infection. Additionally, make sure that you rinse your mouth with an antiseptic mouthwash after smoking or chewing tobacco in order to reduce the risk of infection.
It’s also important to be aware of the potential side effects that smoking or chewing tobacco may have on your recovery from wisdom teeth removal. Smoking can lead to dry socket, a painful condition that occurs when the blood clot that forms after surgery becomes dislodged prematurely. Additionally, smoking can cause your lips and cheeks to become dry and irritated, which can lead to further discomfort. Chewing tobacco may also lead to increased pain and swelling around the surgical site, as well as increased bleeding due to its irritating effects on the gums.
Finally, it is important to keep in mind that smoking or chewing tobacco will do nothing to speed up your recovery from wisdom teeth removal. In fact, it may even slow down your recovery time due to its irritating effects on the gums and tissues surrounding the surgical site. It is best to avoid smoking or using any type of tobacco product for at least 48 hours after surgery in order for your mouth and gums time heal properly without any additional irritation or pain.
Don’t Exercise or Lift Heavy Objects After Wisdom Teeth Removal
After wisdom teeth removal, it is important to take proper care of your mouth. This includes avoiding strenuous activities such as exercise or lifting heavy objects. Exercise can increase the heart rate and blood circulation, which can cause bleeding and swelling in the area where your wisdom teeth were removed. Lifting heavy objects can also risk damaging the blood clot that forms in the extraction site and cause excessive bleeding.
Exercise and lifting heavy objects can also slow down the healing process of your mouth. The pressure from these activities can put strain on the extraction sites and delay proper healing. Your dentist will typically recommend avoiding vigorous activities for at least one to two weeks after wisdom teeth removal to ensure that healing is not disrupted.
If you are feeling soreness or discomfort after wisdom teeth removal, it is best to take things slow and not rush into any strenuous activity. Taking time to rest is important for allowing your mouth to heal properly without any disruption or damage from exercise or lifting heavy objects.
Don’t Touch the Stitches After Wisdom Teeth Removal
It is important to keep your stitches clean and dry after wisdom teeth removal. If you have stitches, it is important to not touch or move them. Doing so can lead to infection and other complications. It is also important to not eat, drink, or brush your teeth near the stitches as this can also lead to infection.
Your doctor may have prescribed you with an antibiotic mouthwash that you should use twice a day for a few days after the surgery. This will help prevent infection in the area where the stitches are located. You should also avoid smoking and drinking alcohol until your doctor has given you clearance.
You should also avoid any strenuous activity such as lifting, running, or jumping until your doctor has given you permission to do so. This could cause bleeding in the area where your stitches are located and increase your risk of infection. Additionally, it is important to avoid touching or manipulating the area where your wisdom teeth were removed as this could cause further damage and irritation to the area.
It is also important to remember that if you experience any pain or swelling in the area after your wisdom teeth removal, contact your doctor right away. Your doctor may need to adjust your medication or make other changes in order to ensure that your healing process goes smoothly.
Following these guidelines will help ensure that you recover quickly and safely from wisdom teeth removal surgery. If you experience any discomfort or have questions about how best to care for yourself following surgery, be sure to contact your doctor for advice and guidance.
Conclusion
Wisdom teeth removal can be an uncomfortable procedure, but it is necessary for many people. After surgery, you should take the necessary steps to ensure that you heal properly. Avoiding certain activities, such as smoking, drinking alcohol, eating hard or crunchy foods, and playing contact sports is important. Taking time to recover fully will help you avoid serious complications and ensure that your mouth heals properly.
No matter what kind of surgery you need to have done, it is important to follow your doctor’s orders for optimal healing. With wisdom teeth removal, rest and relaxation are key components of a successful recovery. By following these guidelines and taking the time to heal properly after wisdom teeth removal, you can minimize any potential risks and enjoy a healthy smile for years to come.