This is a question we get asked often at Ashgrove Dental – and we get it!
You may be experiencing some pain in your mouth or jaw, swelling and discomfort post-extraction. And the last thing you’d want to do is to stick a toothbrush into your mouth.
But there’s a non-negotiable here.
While brushing your teeth post-wisdom tooth extraction may seem daunting, keeping your mouth squeaky clean is important. Otherwise, more problems will follow (like infections or a dry socket) which will then make you seriously question your choices.
Lucky for you, we are here with everything you need to know about brushing your teeth after wisdom tooth removal.
Immediate Post-Extraction Care
Post-wisdom tooth removal, it is recommended to brush your teeth as you normally would. However, brush only the surrounding teeth and be sure to avoid brushing the socket.
This is important, why? Because the blood clot that forms over the extraction site in your mouth needs time to do its work. If you brush and poke the clot with your toothbrush, it can disturb the site and result in an infection or dry socket.
And trust us when we say you don’t want that.
So instead, make sure to rest, ice and relax (you deserve it!).
When Can I Start Brushing After Wisdom Tooth Removal?
Now that you’ve waited 24 hours without brushing your teeth, you have the green light to brush again.
However, the key is to go easy on your teeth and mouth. Here are the golden rules you need to follow:
- Avoid the area around the extraction site by all means
- Use a soft-bristled toothbrush
- Brush using slow, gentle, circular motions
- Choose a mild toothpaste that contains fluoride
- Use only a pea-sized amount of toothpaste, as too much can irritate your gums and the extraction site
Following the procedure, our team at Ashgrove Dental will provide detailed instructions on brushing and caring for your mouth, because keeping your mouth clean is of utmost importance.
By following these instructions, you’ll be able to make sure the extraction site heals properly while reducing discomfort and chances of complications. Do keep in mind that it is normal to experience some swelling and discomfort afterwards.
Best Practices Post Wisdom Tooth Extraction
In addition to brushing your teeth (gently and carefully), there are a few other things that you can do to ensure a mess-free healing process. These include:
- Avoid Spitting or Swishing Toothpaste Aggressively: Swishing toothpaste around in your mouth or spitting could irritate the extraction site. Instead, simply rinse the toothpaste as gently as possible.
- Rinse Gently: Like with toothpaste, make sure to rinse your mouth gently with water. Once you eat or drink anything other than water, rinse your mouth with warm water or a warm saltwater rinse to keep your mouth clean.
- Keep Your Head Elevated When Sleeping: Post-extraction, we recommend keeping your head elevated with an extra pillow when sleeping. This can help reduce swelling while promoting clotting.
- Eat Soft Foods: After wisdom tooth removal, it’s generally recommended that you avoid eating anything for two hours after extraction. Water will be your best friend during this time. Afterwards, you can have clear liquids like chicken or vegetable broth for 24 hours before switching to soft foods that don’t require much chewing. This includes foods like scrambled eggs, porridge, mashed potatoes and yoghurt. Then, after about a week you can return to your normal diet.
- Stay Hydrated: After wisdom tooth removal, staying hydrated is very important for healing. And what better than water to stay hydrated? Not only will it help dislodge any food debris, but it will also stimulate saliva production, helping keep your mouth clean.
- Regular Dental Examinations: While maintaining good oral hygiene at home, don’t forget to also visit us for regular dental appointments. These appointments will help us identify any problems (if any) early and make it less complicated to treat, while saving you time and money. It will also help us keep an eye on the extraction site.
When To Call Our Ashgrove Dentist After Wisdom Tooth Removal?
At Ashgrove Dental, our team is always here to support you. Here are some of the warning signs you need to look out for post-extraction.
- Running a fever over 38˚C
- Uncontrolled bleeding from the site of extraction
- Pain that doesn’t go away with prescribed painkillers and/or time
- Swelling that doesn’t go down
- A lingering bad taste in your mouth
- Difficulty breathing
- Swelling that makes swallowing challenging
- Jaw pain that travels to your temples
- Pus, fluid or blood seeping out from the socket
If you follow these guidelines and watch out for the above signs diligently you can recover with fewer complications. While all of this might seem like a lot to take in and keep in mind, just know that our team is here for you.
Get in touch with us if you have more questions or think you need a wisdom tooth extracted.
