There are several steps to take to help this course of treatment:
1. Enlisting the help of a friend or family member during the initial consultations will set your mind at ease that there is someone to rely on and support you post surgery. They can also be there to listen to the advice being given by your oral surgeon including what pain killers can be taken along with driving you to and from the appointment as you will not be able to drive post surgery.
2. Stock up on soft foods prior to surgery. Easy to eat foods are essential as you may experience some initial discomfort and pain post surgery. Foods such as soups, mash potato, ice cream and jelly all work really well along with fresh juices to get all your nutrients.
3. Take time off work to recover. By not rushing back to school or work you are giving your body time to recover from the trauma it has been through. If you are too quick to get back to it, you may cause further issues which could result in longer periods of time off.
4. Leave gauze and rinse mouth with salt water. On the day of surgery, make sure to keep the gauze on for at least 30 minutes to prevent clotting. The day after surgery it is advisable to rinse your mouth with salt water. This helps to prevent irritation and bacteria, as well as improve the healing process.
5. Use an ice pack or warm towel to ease swelling. On the first to third day using ice packs will help to reduce the swelling on the gums. Your oral surgeon can explain when is best then to move on to a warm towel or heat pack, some time will need to pass to ensure not to create repeat swelling.
6. Elevate when sleeping to keep the swelling down and blood flow from the tooth to avoid clotting.
7. Avoid alcohol and smoking is extremely important in the first couple of days so as not to increase the risk of clotting. These elements can also contribute to the resistence of healing.
8. Return to the dentist. If you are experience pain and soreness that you feel may be more than what you are supposed to experience, contact your dentist. They will be able to provide support and advice and may even suggest coming into the surgery so that they can assess your wound.
Professional dentists are on hand to give you practical advice and information about your post wisdom teeth removal surgery situation. Consulting a well trained oral surgeon and dentist should be a key priority before embarking on any procedures relating to health.