Tips to Follow After Wisdom Teeth Surgery - Emory Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery

Wisdom Teeth Post-Op Tips

Rest with your head elevated, not flat on your back.
Take pain medication as prescribed by your doctor.
Eat soft foods and drink cool, smooth drinks (like our Chocolate-Peanut Butter-Banana Smoothie).
Don't use a straw. The sucking action can loosen the blood clot in the extraction site, causing dry socket, which will delay healing.
Place an ice pack on the outside of your cheek for the first 24 hours and then use moist heat to soothe the pain.
On days two and three, rinse gently with warm salt water to reduce swelling and relieve pain.
Don't smoke. Smoking can contaminate the site and cause dry socket (see #4).
Relax and enjoy being waited on for a few days! Before you know it, you’ll be back to normal.