The beginning of your road to recovery following wisdom tooth extraction can seem tough, especially at night. Since rest is critical to speedy and complication-free healing, it’s important to make sure to get good quality shuteye. Read on for four tips to help you sleep better following your procedure.
Elevate Your Head Above Your Heart
Like any other surgery, it’s important to lift the body part that was operated on above the heart. Your dentist will also likely tell you this before you head home following your wisdom tooth extraction, too! Whenever you sleep or lay down, be sure that your head is always propped up above your heart. This will take advantage of gravity, helping minimize bleeding as well as swelling by allowing any excess fluid, like blood, to circulate back to the heart. An easy way to do this is by using one or two fluffy pillows or sleeping in an upright position if that’s more comfortable.
Take Prescribed Medications as Directed
Wisdom tooth extractions are typically either simple or surgical, depending on whether or not the third molars are impacted below the gumline. Based on the type of procedure you receive, your dentist may prescribe pain medication or recommend over-the-counter medication to you to help ease your discomfort. Be sure to keep up with taking these medications as directed by your dentist or pharmacist to make sure your pain levels don’t flair up, making it hard to sleep.
Follow Your Dentist’s Post-Op Instructions Closely
At your initial consultation with your dentist, before your procedure, they will provide you with post-operative instructions to follow once you get home. These typically include directions like eating a soft diet for the first couple of days and avoiding drinking using a straw. These should be followed closely in order to prevent dry socket, a common post-operative complication that can lead to worsening pain, and in turn, poor rest.
Call Your Dentist if Your Pain Gets Worse
As the days go by, you should feel your discomfort fade away, ultimately disappearing within two weeks, or likely sooner. If you notice that your pain is becoming worse or isn’t getting better, it’s crucial for you to contact your dentist. This will ensure that any possible complications, like dry socket or an infection, are promptly addressed.
About the Author
With over 10 years of experience and a wide skillset, Dr. Rafiq Hirji offers a number of dental treatments in-house, including wisdom tooth extractions. He has also completed countless hours of continuing education and advanced training, like in sedation dentistry, to make sure his patients remain comfortable throughout their treatments. For questions or to schedule an appointment, visit Daily Smiles MacArthur Dental & Orthodontics’ website or call 972-546-4114.