5 Tips to Help You Recover from Wisdom Teeth Removal

Wisdom teeth are the last teeth to erupt in your mouth. But unfortunately, many times these teeth need to be removed. Your dentist in Douglasville may recommend wisdom teeth extractions if there’s not enough room in your mouth for them to erupt without damaging other teeth or if they’re coming in crooked or sideways. While it’s natural to feel a bit uneasy about any surgery, wisdom teeth removal is usually a fairly straightforward procedure. However, there are some restrictions to what you can do post-surgery so that you can heal quickly and properly. Follow these five tips to help you fully recover, without causing further damage or pain. 

• Take It Easy

Depending on the type of anesthesia used, you may feel a bit groggy after your procedure, so it’s crucial that you take it easy for a few days. During this time, avoid activities like bending over, lifting heavy objects, or doing strenuous activities. These can increase blood flow and cause the surgical site to bleed more and swell up. Avoid exercise for about 3-4 days or until your Douglasville dentist gives you permission. 

• Keep Ice On The Area

Swelling after having your wisdom teeth removed is normal, but we encourage you to do your best to keep it under control by using ice packs. Gently apply ice packs to the sides of your cheeks as much as possible during the first three days. A good rule of thumbs is to keep the ice on for 20 minutes, keep it off for 20 minutes, then repeat. Don’t apply ice directly to your skin, always make sure there’s some sort of barrier in place. An important note: swelling may increase a few days after surgery then subside. 

• Control Bleeding

Bleeding after having a tooth extracted is normal, but there are things you can do to help reduce it. To control bleeding at home, your dentist in Douglasville will recommend that you gently bite down on gauze in the areas of extraction. This pressure can help stop the bleeding. Make sure to wash your hands before handling putting the gauze in and taking it out so that bacteria isn’t introduced into your mouth.

• Eat Soft Foods

Following wisdom teeth surgery, you may be tempted to go back to eating normally. However, you should eat a soft food diet for a few days. This means forgoing crunchy veggies, crackers, nuts, and anything else that might put pressure on your gums or cheek muscles. Instead, snack on things like: 

• Soup
• Yogurt
• Applesauce
• Scrambled Eggs
• Oatmeal

Also, avoid eating or drinking anything that’s really hot, super spicy, or acidic.  

• Drink Plenty of Water

One of the most important things to remember during recovery is to stay hydrated. This means increasing your daily intake of water. Water will help flush out your mouth and keep your throat moisturized after surgery. To help reduce swelling, you can also gargle gently with warm saltwater. However, remember to avoid using straws. The sucking action can loosen blood clots that are an essential part of healing. 

Remember, your dentist will only recommend wisdom teeth surgery if it’s necessary to keep your mouth healthy. While you may have some minor pain and discomfort after the procedure, it should be temporary, and you should be healed in no time. However, if the pain doesn’t go away or the bleeding doesn’t stop, call your dentist in Douglasville for more information. 

5 Ways to Tell If You Have Gum Disease

Gum disease, also known as periodontal disease, can cause the gums to become inflamed and infected. This condition can be both painful and embarrassing, but many people don’t realize they have it until the symptoms are severe. To make matters worse, gum disease that has progressed can’t be cured, only treated. One of the best ways to catch gum disease early is to pay attention to the top five signs of gum disease, and if you do experience symptoms, see your dentist in Douglasville quickly.

• Bleeding Gums

When you floss or brush your teeth, do you often see blood on your toothbrush? Believe it or not, bleeding while you brush or floss can actually be an early sign of gum disease. If left untreated, bacteria can spread through your gums to affect the bone structure in your jaw. A good rule of thumb: if you see blood, bring it up with your dentist in Douglasville right away. Early treatment can help get things under control before it’s too late.

• Swollen Gums

Gingivitis is a common form of gum disease that most often manifests as swollen, red gums. This is most often an indication that plaque has accumulated on your teeth and has begun to calcify. Your dentist may be able to treat you with a deep cleaning or antibiotic treatment if they suspect you have gingivitis. However, if you ignore your symptoms for too long, it could lead to periodontitis, which can lead to tooth loss and infection in other parts of your body.

• Painful Gums

It’s possible to have gum disease and never experience any pain, but severe cases of gum disease typically cause soreness. If you notice that your gums are sensitive or painful to touch after flossing or brushing, you might be suffering from plaque buildup. However, it’s important to note that if you can explain the cause of the pain, such as a piece of food lodged in your gums, there may be no cause for concern. 

• Sensitive Gums

If your teeth are sensitive to hot or cold foods, it could simply be a sign of sensitive teeth. However, it can also be a sign of gum disease. When gum disease happens, it causes gums to become inflamed. This can cause teeth to protrude outwards, leading to sensitivity to heat or cold. Make sure to talk with your dentist in Douglasville about any tooth or gum sensitivity you have at every visit. 

• Bad Breath

Bad breath that lasts for longer than two weeks can be a sign of gum disease. If you don’t floss and brush your teeth well daily, food bits can remain in your mouth. These foods will feed mouth bacteria and cause bad breath and a buildup of plaque. This plaque can irritate your gums and allow gum disease to take hold. Usually, bad breath is one of a few signs of gum disease. 

Gum disease is a serious condition that can have long-term health consequences. If you have any of these symptoms, don’t wait to see a dentist in Douglasville. Early detection and treatment are essential for preventing more serious problems later on.