Wisdom teeth start to grow between the ages of 18 and 24 for most people. These molars at the back of your mouth are not necessary for your chewing and eating. They may even lead to oral health issues, which is why people prefer to get them removed. Once you have got your wisdom tooth pulled out, you will want to ensure you can sleep peacefully.
A tooth extraction results in swelling, tenderness, soreness, and numbness post-surgery. Sleeping after a tooth extraction procedure turns out to be challenging for many people. Fortunately, there are some things you can do to reduce the pain and get better sleep. Visit family dental care in Summit, IL, today.
Tips to ensure a good night’s sleep after getting your wisdom tooth removed
- Take pain medication.
After a tooth extraction procedure, pain medication becomes crucial for a good night’s sleep. Even the slightest amount of pain can ruin your sleep. Waking up multiple times during the night can result in a bad morning. Over-the-counter medications are a big help for pain management. Make sure to get the medicines recommended by your dentist. Many people take more dosages than they should, which is not advised.
- Sleep with your head elevated.
Sleeping with your head elevated is beneficial for a number of reasons. It helps with swelling and reduces pain. Keeping your head elevated helps drain liquids from the extraction site. This prevents the buildup of fluids and aids in a quick recovery. It also helps to slow down the blood flow in that area to reduce inflammation, which is common after surgery. Another complication after a tooth extraction is a dry socket, which can also be prevented with head elevation.
- Follow your dentist’s aftercare guidelines.
After your surgery, your dentist will give you a set of instructions. These instructions should be followed thoroughly for a quick recovery. You should also not miss any medications prescribed by the dentist. Make sure you follow the diet plan given by your doctor and drink an adequate amount of water. Your meals contain soft items, including mashed potatoes, soups, yogurt, etc. Refrain from brushing the area or chewing from that side of the mouth.
- Say no to alcohol and tobacco.
Two things can significantly hinder your recovery: alcohol and tobacco. You might think what harm there is in a small glass of whiskey. Alcohol can negatively impact the healing capacity of your body. All the steps and medications you take to recover quickly will go in vain due to these bad habits. Dentists urge their patients to avoid these two items until their wounds are fully healed.
