Most adults have their wisdom teeth, or third molars, removed at some point. Sometimes the teeth may be impacted, or stuck in the bone of your mouth. Other times, your wisdom teeth may be fully or partially erupted through the bone and gums. Your specific post-operative instructions will vary based on whether your extractions were surgical or simple. Talk to your oral surgeon about how to care for yourself during your recovery time.
Alcohol After Extraction
Abstain from alcoholic beverages for 24 hours after your wisdom tooth extraction, states MayoClinic.com. This will allow your body to begin to heal, and it will also prevent the alcohol from irritating or burning the extraction site. If your dentist gave you antibiotics, you should not drink alcohol until you have taken all of the pills. Some antibiotics can be made less effective by mixing them with alcohol, and others may have serious side effects if you drink while taking them. Talk to your dentist or pharmacist for more information regarding the specific antibiotic that you are taking.
Exercise After Extraction
After your extraction, you should go home and rest. Avoid physical activity for the first day while you recover, recommends MayoClinic.com. In subsequent days, you can resume your normal activities, including low-intensity exercise. Do not work out at a high intensity for a week; strenuous exercise might disturb the blood clot that formed in your extraction site, resulting in a painful condition called a dry socket.
Other Considerations
Review your post-op instructions with your dentist before leaving the office on the day of your wisdom tooth extraction. Some things that you can do to avoid complications include not drinking through a straw, taking care not to poke the site while brushing your teeth and abstaining from smoking for at least a few days after your extraction. Avoid vigorous rinsing or spitting for several days, but after the first 24 hours, you should rinse your mouth gently after eating to remove food particles from the socket, advises MayoClinic.com.
When to Call the Dentist
If you notice a lot of bleeding or pain that is not helped by over-the-counter pain relievers, call your dentist even if it is after hours. A little bit of bleeding may be normal for the first few days; if the site is oozing, bite on sterile gauze or a dampened black tea bag. Your discomfort should decrease each day, but it may linger for up to a week. If your pain suddenly increases at any point, call your oral surgeon promptly; you may have an infection or a dry socket, both of which require treatment.
