Wisdom Teeth Parents’ Corner
Wisdom Teeth FAQ
Welcome! We’ve created this Wisdom Teeth FAQ guide to help you prepare for your child’s wisdom teeth removal experience. If you don’t find what you’re looking for here, please don’t hesitate to contact us! Alaska Oral Surgery Group Office Phone Number 907-278-5678
How can we prepare for wisdom teeth removal surgery?
The most important thing NOT to do is eat during the 8 hours leading up to your surgery. This will help in avoiding complications with sedation. Make sure to wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing, but leave your jewelry and flip-flops at home. Finally, line up a ride. We won’t be able to begin the procedure if you don’t have someone to drive you home after surgery.
What can my child eat after surgery?
Have your teen start by consuming liquids and progress to soft foods, such as smoothies, mashed potatoes, Jell-O, milkshakes, and pudding, after surgery. Slowly introduce other soft proteins and carbohydrates, including eggs, fish, pasta, and rice, into their diet over the following week. The use of a straw has the potential of dislodging the clot that forms over the surgical site which can lead to a painful condition called dry socket. Your teen should wait at least 7 days before using a straw.
What foods should be avoided after wisdom teeth surgery?
Hard and crunchy foods that could irritate the wound as it heals should be avoided.
How long does my child need to use gauze?
Once home from surgery, your teen should place a thick roll of gauze over the wound and gently bite down, holding it in place for 45-60 minutes at a time. Continue this throughout the day. If the bleeding does not subside within a few hours, place a moistened tea bag over the surgical site and allow its tannic acid to help the blood to clot.
What’s the aftercare routine?
Your child will need to gently rinse their mouth for a full minute with Peridex mouth rinse two or three times a day, beginning the evening of surgery. We recommend they avoid other mouthwashes, including hydrogen peroxide , while using Peridex.
Have your child hold an ice pack on their cheek, 20-30 minutes on and 20-30 minutes off, the first 48 hours, except when they’re sleeping. This will help decrease swelling.
Does my child come back to have their stitches removed?
We use dissolvible stiches, so they will not need to return to have them removed. The sutures typically take 5-10 days to dissolve.
How do we use a water syringe?
Wait until 7 days after surgery to rinse the sockets. You don’t want to risk dislodging the blood clot. Fill the syringe with warm water and rinse only the lower sockets before brushing each morning and night. Gravity takes care of rinsing the upper sockets. Rinse the lower sockets until no more food flushes out.