Wisdom Tooth Removal Pre-Operative Instructions
Preparing For Your Wisdom Tooth Extraction
Wisdom tooth extraction is a surgical procedure to remove one or more wisdom teeth — the four permanent adult teeth located at the back corners of your mouth on the top and bottom. It is important to follow these instructions to ensure a successful surgery.
Plan Your Meals
- Stock Up on Soft Foods: After your wisdom tooth surgery, you’ll need to follow a soft food diet. Prepare items like scrambled eggs, mashed potatoes, smoothies, yogurt, soft rice, porridge, or congee.
- Eat Normally Before the Procedure: Unless instructed otherwise due to sedation medications (see below), eat your regular meals on the day of your surgery.
- Avoid Eating on the Wisdom Tooth: To prevent discomfort or further damage, avoid chewing on the wisdom tooth that will be extracted.
Medications and Antibiotics
- Take Prescribed Antibiotics: If your dentist has provided antibiotics, start taking them as directed before your appointment to combat any existing infection.
- Regular Medications: Continue taking your usual medications unless instructed otherwise. Inform your dentist of any recent changes in your health or medication.
- Blood Thinners: If you’re on anticoagulants like Coumadin (Warfarin), Dabigatran (Pradaxa), or Rivaroxaban (Xarelto), your dentist may advise adjusting your dosage temporarily.
Pain Management
- Over-the-Counter Pain Relievers: Have ibuprofen (Advil) or acetaminophen (Tylenol) on hand. Consult your dentist for the appropriate dosage. A common effective combination is 1000mg of acetaminophen with 600mg of ibuprofen every 4-6 hours, if you have no allergies or contraindications.
Sedation Considerations
- Sedative Drugs: If you’ll be receiving sedation (e.g., oral conscious sedation), please review our sedation dentistry pre-visit instructions.
- Fasting Requirements: Follow any instructions regarding fasting if sedation will be used during your procedure.
Entertainment
- Bring Headphones: If you’d like, bring headphones to listen to music or podcasts during your procedure for relaxation.
Clothing and Personal Items
- Comfortable Attire: Wear loose, comfortable clothing with short sleeves or that allows easy access if necessary.
- Avoid Light-Colored Clothing: This prevents visible staining from any spills.
- Minimal Accessories: Remove jewelry, especially from the tongue, lips, or nose. Avoid heavy makeup and contact lenses.
- Footwear: Wear flat, stable shoes—avoid high heels.
Oral Hygiene Tips
Maintaining oral hygiene is vital, especially before your wisdom tooth surgery. Here are some tips:
- Brush Regularly: Aim to brush your teeth at least twice a day. Ideally, brush after each meal to keep your mouth clean.
- Rinse If Necessary: If you can’t brush after meals, rinse with water or mouthwash to eliminate food particles. We recommend Crest Gum Care Mouthwash for effective results.
- Upgrade Your Toothbrush: Use a soft-bristled toothbrush like the Curaprox CS5460 Ultra Soft to prevent gum irritation. Consider switching to an electric toothbrush, such as the Philips Sonicare Protectiveclean 6100, for improved plaque removal.
- Floss Daily: Flossing is essential for removing debris between teeth. We recommend GUM ButlerWeave Dental Floss or dental flossers for convenience.
- Consider a Water Flosser: A Waterpik Aquarius Water Flosser can effectively flush out debris that brushing and flossing might miss. Use it daily for optimal oral hygiene.
- Choose the Right Toothpaste: Opt for a toothpaste like Crest Pro Health Gum Detoxify to promote gum health and neutralize harmful bacteria.
Work and Personal Obligations
- Plan to take 1–2 days off from work or school to recover. Your dentist can provide a sick leave letter if needed.
- Arrange for childcare, if applicable, and avoid scheduling important events immediately after the procedure.
Review The Post-Operative Instructions
You should review our wisdom tooth removal post operative instructions. Be familiar with what you must do after your dental visit to ensure a successful recovery.
Have Questions?
At Atlas Dental, we’re committed to ensuring you feel comfortable and informed every step of the way. If you have any additional questions or concerns about your upcoming wisdom tooth extraction surgery, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
