Show Download Article Having your wisdom teeth removed by a dentist or oral surgeon requires thorough post-operative care to ensure a full and speedy recovery. If you don't clean your teeth and mouth properly, you could end up with an infection or painful inflammation known as "dry socket" (alveolar osteitis). Dry socket occurs in about 20% of lower wisdom teeth extractions, so you will want to make sure you take extra precautions after your surgery.[1] You’ll need to care for your mouth for at least a week after your wisdom teeth removal using a few simple processes that don’t require much time or effort.[2]
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ReferencesAbout This ArticleArticle SummaryX To clean your teeth after getting your wisdom teeth removed, avoid brushing them or using mouthwash for the first 24 hours after your surgery so you don't interfere with the healing process. Then, for the next 3 days, brush your teeth as normal but avoid the area where your teeth were removed. Instead, rinse the area with warm water mixed with a pinch of salt to clean it. When you go to spit out your toothpaste or salt water rinse, tilt your mouth to the side and let everything drain out instead of spitting so you don't damage the surgical site. Finally, after 3 days, resume your normal brushing routine. To learn how to take care of your mouth after getting your wisdom teeth out, scroll down! Did this summary help you? Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 449,223 times. Reader Success Stories
Did this article help you?When can I stop worrying about dry socket?When Can I Stop Worrying About Dry Socket? Until and unless your hole heals completely, there are chances of dry socket formation. Typically you can stop worrying about the dry socket after 7-10 days because this is the amount of time that gums take to close.
Can I use WaterPik on dry socket?NO! The force generated by your WaterPik can damage the fragile healing clot predisposing you to a dry socket. It can also dissect the healing tissues away from one another causing hematoma or seroma formation. In short, don't use your WaterPik until at least day 7 after surgery, or when directed to do so by our team.
Can irrigation syringe cause dry socket?YES. Failure to irrigate (for whatever reason) usually results in dry socket, delayed healing, infection, or all of the above. On very rare occasions, the gum tissue at the extraction sites heals quickly and closes the hole so there is nowhere for food debris to accumulate and therefore no hole for irrigation.
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