If you’re one of the millions of Americans who will have a wisdom tooth removed this year, you’ll want to make sure that you follow these recovery tips so that your healing process goes as smoothly as possible. Wisdom teeth are often removed when they begin to cause problems, such as pain, swelling, and infection. You should expect points when deciding to take a wisdom tooth extraction procedure. First off, you need to ask your dental insurance company if it’s covered which you can learn more. Now, after the surgery, you need to follow these tips to help you recover quickly and efficiently after your surgery. Let’s get started.

Bite Down on a Gauze Pad

After removing your wisdom tooth, you will want to bite down on a gauze pad for at least 30 minutes. It will help to stop the bleeding. If the bleeding does not stop, you can replace the gauze pad with a fresh one. You may also experience some swelling after your wisdom tooth has been removed. That’s why you need to be gentle when biting down on a gauze pad. A gauze pad will help you keep the swelling to a minimum.

Take the Pain Medication

Aside from those two methods, you need to take pain medication as your dentist or oral surgeon prescribed to relieve the pain and make your recovery faster. If you’re not allergic to it, you can take over-the-counter pain medication, such as ibuprofen. You should also take the prescribed pain medication if you’re in pain. These will help you recover quickly and efficiently after your wisdom tooth has been removed.

Apply an Ice Pack

You will also want to apply an ice pack to your face for 20 minutes at a time. It will help to reduce the swelling. Make sure that you do not put the ice pack directly on your skin. It would help if you wrapped it in a towel first. You can also alternate between hot and cold compresses. Also, it’s best to put it in your jaw and cheek area. This way, you will reduce the swelling in those areas.

Keep Your Mouth Clean

Last but not least, you will also want to keep your mouth clean after your wisdom tooth has been removed. It would help if you brushed your teeth twice a day and flossed at least once a day. This will help to prevent infection and speed up the healing process. You may also want to use an antibacterial mouthwash to help keep your mouth clean.

Wisdom teeth removal is a standard dental procedure that millions Americans undergo every year. And while it may seem like a daunting task, recovery is often quick and easy as long as you follow the proper steps. Be sure to bite down on a gauze pad, apply an ice pack, and take your pain medication as prescribed. With these simple tips, you’ll be back to your normal self in no time.