Tips for brushing after teeth have been removedAvoid brushing and rinsing on the day of the operationThe first 24 hours after tooth removal are quite a sensitive time. Your body will be trying to form the necessary blood clot to keep the wound safe so that it can heal with minimal risk of infection - losing this blood clot can lead to a painful condition known as dry socket, which we don’t want. Show
So, even though it’ll feel wrong not to brush, avoid brushing and rinsing in that first 24-hour period.
Do not brush vigorouslyAfter the 24-hour period is complete, you can start to brush and floss again regularly. In fact, it’s absolutely encouraged - keeping your mouth clean is a great way to minimise the risk of infection or other complications. Of course, the area around the extraction site is going to be sensitive for a while. Don’t brush too vigorously in that area, and if you normally use an electric toothbrush consider swapping to a regular one for a couple of weeks.
Don’t spit the toothpaste out - push it out gentlyThis may not seem … desirable, but it’s really important that you don’t spit in the few days following your tooth removal. Spitting can displace the blood clot forming in your new socket, once again potentially leading to dry socket. Spitting toothpaste is, of course, an act of spitting. So, try to just gently push it out without actually spitting for at least five days after your operation. Some dentists recommend letting toothpaste just drool out in those first days. Use a salt water rinse regularly as wellMany dentists will tell you to use a warm salt water rinse on a regular basis when you have a healing tooth extraction site, after 24 hours of letting it heal first. There’s a lot of evidence out there to suggest that a saline (salt water) rinse has many beneficial properties, including fighting inflammation and contributing to wound healing. Add half a teaspoon of salt to a cup of warm water and rinse your mouth gently (not vigorously). Do so in particular after eating a meal, to dislodge any debris that might otherwise get stuck in the hole. Just remember not to spit the water out – gently push it out. Other things to expect as you recover from having a wisdom tooth removed |