When you have had your wisdom teeth removed, it’s important to understand the best ways to heal comfortably and quickly. Once the teeth are removed, healing begins when a blood clot forms over the area. When this is displaced, a condition called dry socket may result, which can be painful. To prevent this from happening and for pain relief, it’s important to follow these care tips. By following these few simple tips, you can avoid dry socket and reduce pain significantly.
Take Your Pain Medication
Once you are home, it’s important to take your pain medication. If your dentist has given you a prescription, follow those instructions. If your doctor has advised you to take over the counter medication, like ibuprofen or aspirin, take it before you feel pain. Don’t wait for the pain to set in, it’s easier to prevent it than make it subside.
Take Care of the Dressings
When you leave the office, you will have a dressing, usually a gauze pad, covering the area. It may be bloody, but don’t panic, that’s normal. Any bleeding you may suspect is abnormal, call your dentist right away. Change the dressing as instructed; this is an important part of preventing dry socket.
Cleaning Your Mouth
Take care to avoid displacing the blood clot when brushing your teeth near the extraction site for three to four days as you heal. Carefully dab at that area with a clean and moist gauze pad. You could also use mouthwash if you prefer not to use a toothbrush the first few days. A chlorhexidine mouthwash is a good alternative to a toothbrush.
Reduce the Swelling
You may experience swelling. Apply ice packs for 15 minutes on and then 15 minutes off to help reduce swelling. Consider aspirin or ibuprofen as an anti-inflammatory to help reduce swelling as well. Be sure to keep your head elevated until bedtime.
Dont’s:
Here are additional “don’t” tips to avoid dry socket and promote healing:
- Don’t rinse the area for 24 hours after tooth removal.
- Don’t poke at the extraction site with your tongue.
- Avoid sucking through straws, spitting, and blowing your nose.
- Don’t smoke, it can interfere with healing; the sucking motion could dislodge the blood clot.
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Your Invisalign provider may at some point in your treatment provide you with “chewies”.
The Aligner Chewie is made from a material called Styrene Copolymer and is a soft spongy plastic-like roll. They look much like a roll of cotton.
Typically, “chewies” are dispensed when you receive a new set of aligners. As you know, new aligner trays might not fit as tightly to your teeth when placed the first few times. To help your teeth move more quickly, you can bite on the “chewies” to help the new trays fit tighter to your teeth more quickly, so they do more good.
Position the “chewie” between your teeth and bite down. It can be placed short- or long-ways. It is important to move it around your mouth from one side to the other, biting down as you more it from one area to another. Repeat this process again and again to help the new trays seat properly on your teeth. The more your repeat, the quicker the tray will begin to move your teeth. Most Invisalign providers recommend several 5 to 10 minute sessions per day.
The most beneficial time to use the “chewies” is at bedtime. This will help your Aligner tray stay well seated and tight against your teeth while you sleep.
You can wash the Aligner Chewies with a mild soap and reuse them several times before they lose elasticity. It is recommended to clean them after each biting session.
You may receive only a few Aligner Chewies, as they are not provided by Align Technology, who creates your aligner trays. You or your Invisalign provider can order them in a variety of colors and flavors for your convenience.
Want to know more about how Invisalign can give you a smile makeover? Call Charlotte Dentistry today to schedule your free Invisalign evaluation with the Southeast leading Invisalign Elite Preferred Provider.