Can You Brush Your Teeth After Wisdom Teeth Removal

When it comes to oral surgery, most people worry about the recovery time, potential pain, and how they’ll manage eating solid foods afterward. But there are a lot of details many patients don’t think about until they’re in the dentist’s chair: what will happen to your teeth after surgery? How long will you have to wait before you can eat certain foods again? Will you be able to drink liquids without difficulty? Will brushing your teeth hurt after wisdom teeth removal? Most dentists would answer yes; however, it doesn’t have to be that way for you. Here’s everything you need to know about brushing your teeth after wisdom teeth removal.

Can You Brush Your Teeth After Wisdom Teeth Removal?‍

Yes. The procedure is usually performed under local anesthesia, and you will be awake and comfortable throughout the surgery. After the procedure, you can go home and resume your normal activities. If you have pain or swelling at the surgical site, take over-the-counter pain medication as directed by your dentist or oral surgeon. Avoid chewing on the surgical site until it heals completely. You may brush your teeth after wisdom teeth removal as long as you are careful to avoid the surgical site; however, avoid hard foods like nuts and popcorn that might press on the surgical site.

What Happens To The Teeth After Surgery?

Take a look at your teeth after surgery.
Brush your teeth gently in the direction from the gumline to the tip of the tooth.
Use a soft-bristled toothbrush, and add a drop of non-flavored children’s fluoride toothpaste if you wish. Fluoride helps protect against cavities and strengthens tooth enamel.
Floss gently between your teeth, being careful not to dislodge stitches or get floss stuck between your teeth or gums.
Rinse well with water and keep your mouth closed so that water does not enter through the surgical site into your wound or lungs (if you have open sinus cavities). Avoid blowing your nose for 7 to 10 days after surgery, as this may cause bleeding at the surgical site or lead to infection (if you have open sinus cavities).
If you have open sinus cavities, do not blow your nose for 7 days after surgery until instructed otherwise by your dentist or oral surgeon because this may cause bleeding at the surgical site or lead to infection (if you have open sinus cavities).
If stitches are used, they will dissolve on their own in time, but avoid chewing on them until they dissolve completely (usually several weeks after surgery). Avoid pulling on them gently with dental floss because this may loosen them sooner than necessary and cause irritation around the wound site that may delay healing and prolong discomfort from an already tender area.
Avoid rinsing vigorously or brushing your teeth vigorously for at least 2 to 3 weeks after surgery, as this may dislodge stitches or cause irritation around the wound site that may delay healing and prolong discomfort from an already tender area.
Avoid eating crunchy foods like raw carrots and celery until your gums have healed completely, as they may dislodge stitches or cause irritation around the wound site that may delay healing and prolong discomfort from an already tender area.
If you have open sinus cavities, avoid chewing gum until the sinus heals completely (usually several weeks after surgery), as chewing gum may dislodge stitches or cause irritation around the wound site that may delay healing and prolong discomfort from an already tender area.

How Long Will You Have To Wait Before Brushing Your Teeth?

You should wait for a few days before brushing your teeth after surgery. The surgical site will be swollen and tender for a few days after the surgery, and you should avoid hard foods that might press on the surgical site. Wait until you see your dentist or oral surgeon before brushing your teeth after wisdom teeth removal.
You should not brush your teeth right away because you may irritate the surgical site and cause bleeding. Avoid chewing on the surgical site until it heals completely.
During the first few days after surgery, avoid using mouthwash since it can irritate your gums and delay healing at the surgical site.
After your wisdom teeth have been removed, it is okay to brush your teeth as long as you are careful to avoid the surgical area with a soft-bristled toothbrush or gauze pad wrapped around your finger to protect it from injury.
If you experience pain or swelling at the surgical site, take over-the-counter pain medication as directed by your dentist or oral surgeon; however, avoid hard foods like nuts and popcorn that might press on the surgical site until it heals completely.
After wisdom teeth removal, rinse with warm salt water (1 teaspoon of salt in 8oz of warm water) 2 – 3 times per day; this will help prevent infections around healing sites while they are still fresh and open to bacteria in our mouths.
Drink lots of fluids like water (not milk or juice) to keep your mouth clean while you heal.
Avoid biting or chewing on the surgical site until it is fully healed.
You may brush your teeth after wisdom teeth removal as long as you are careful to avoid the surgical site; however, avoid hard foods like nuts and popcorn that might press on the surgical site.
Rinse with warm salt water (1 teaspoon of salt in 8oz of warm water) 2 – 3 times per day; this will help prevent infections around healing sites while they are still fresh and open to bacteria in our mouths.

Why Brushing Your Teeth Hurts After Wisdom Teeth Removal?

Getting used to not having teeth in the mouth.
Swelling and pain from the surgery.
The surgical site will be numb for several days to a few weeks, depending on how much tissue was removed and how many teeth were impacted.
The gums will be sore for a few days after surgery because of the trauma to the tissues during the removal of the wisdom teeth.
Soreness from stitches or surgical glue (if used) around the surgical area that may have been left in place after surgery.
Bruising from an injection of local anesthesia may last a day or two, but should subside within a week or so if it is consistent with your skin type (light-skinned people bruise more easily than darker-skinned people).
Swelling around the jaw and face can last up to two weeks after surgery, although this can be minimized by applying ice packs to the jaw and face area for 15 minutes at a time, several times each day following surgery (consult your doctor first).
You may have difficulty chewing on one side of your mouth while you are healing because there may still be some swelling around one side of your face where you had surgery; however, this should subside within two weeks as long as you continue to apply ice packs several times each day for 15 minutes at a time following surgery (consult your doctor first).

Summary

Brushing your teeth after wisdom teeth removal is a great alternative to waiting for your gums to heal. You can still keep your mouth clean and free of bacteria while your gums are healing. However, you should be careful when brushing after oral surgery. Make sure you’re not brushing too hard and that you’re brushing for the recommended amount of time. If you’ve had blood work done, wait until your gums have healed before brushing. This will help prevent damage to your gums and teeth.