So just how careful do I have to be with my extraction site?

[Idiopathic]

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I had a wisdom tooth pulled today without incident. I am worried about foods getting in my 'hole' that is there, as it appears to be a rather large one. Since I dont want to disturb my clot, is there anything I can do to care for this area for the first few days? Or do I just wait...

 

[Bickle]

Speaking as a former patient who had his wisdom teeth out, my surgeon gave me a big wad of guaze to bit on. If you dont have guaze, use tea bags. Theres supposed to be something in tea leaves that speeds healing.

 

[toothpixie]

aren't extractions a beautiful thing?

Had three of my wisdoms pulled at the same appt. damn, i looked SO hot! 😛

if u already know this, please forgive me for my forwardness. but this is what i've been told to tell patients when i used to volunteer...

avoid rinsing your mouth today. Tomorrow you can (oh, joy!) gently every 3-4 hrs./after meals using 1/4 teaspoon salt in a glass of warm water. Do this for about a week or so.

if this was a surgical procedure, use an ice bag 30 mins on, and 30 mins off for 4-5 hrs.

Gauze pads. Gotta love em.

for pain that's mild-average, non-aspirin medication please.

No straws for drinking (will upset the clot)

If you feel any bony edges protruding thru the gum during the healing process call ur dentist asap.

hope that helps,
Take Care.
Sincerely, Sujain 🙂

 

[trypmo]

Speaking as a former patient who had his wisdom teeth out, my surgeon gave me a big wad of guaze to bit on. If you dont have guaze, use tea bags. Theres supposed to be something in tea leaves that speeds healing.

It's the tannic acid, I think. Tea bags can work wonders, from what I know on the patient's side of the extractions. 🙂

 

[Biogirl361]

in my experience, those holes will be there for at least 6 months, slowly getting smaller. i suspect this is because it takes that long for new bone to form, replacing where the teeth used to be (not just an issue of the gums healing). my friend's dentist gave him a little syringe thingie to squirt water in them with to keep them clean, you could ask your dentist for something like that if the food in there bothers you a lot.

 

[thisisit]

call the dentist that did the extraction. He/she will be happy to answer all your questions. Why would you want to get advice on his board?

Keep it clean. The dentist may have given you an irrigating syringe if something goes in the "hole", use it. The tea bag is OK if you are still bleeding (call your dentist first) but to bite on it 24/7 is non-sense. Don't smoke. take your meds and call your dentist for advice.

 

[Idiopathic]

I really want to brush my teeth...is this ok? Should I stress over keeping toothpaste away from the site? Can I rinse w/mouthwash?

My post-op instructions say nothing about this, and it is saturday, so I cant call. Thanks for the suggestion though.

 

[no2thdk999]

Post your e-mail or PM it to me and I'll get you my "What do I do now that my tooth is gone pamphlet"

Rob