Parent’s Corner

Preparing for Wisdom Teeth Extraction

Welcome to our Parent’s Corner! A quick guide to help you prepare your child for wisdom teeth removal. In the information below, you will find helpful tips, frequently asked questions, a grocery list & more.

Things to know before your oral surgery:

  • No food or drink 8 hours prior to surgery.
  • Wear loose-fitting clothes, and shoes that tie.
  • Avoid wearing flip flops, jewelry and nail polish.
  • Make sure your ride stays in the office the entire time of the procedure.
  • Questions? Call our office for assistance at Alpharetta Office Phone Number 770-664-5550.
  • It’s okay to be nervous, we are here to ease your fears.

Care Following Wisdom Teeth Extraction:

What to eat and drink after surgery: 

  • Soft foods that are high in protein and carbohydrates for optimal healing. Examples include: Smoothies, milkshakes, Jell-O, pudding, eggs, pancakes, mashed potatoes, pastas, fish and rice. This diet is recommended for one week post-operatively. Also avoid drinking through a straw for 3 days.

Foods to avoid after wisdom tooth surgery: 

  • Anything sharp and crunchy or abrasive such as: chips, peanuts, popcorn, pretzels, sunflower seeds, crusty bread or bagels.

Gauze:

  • Roll a few pieces into a thick roll and place directly over surgical site. Using gentle pressure, bite on gauze for 20-30 minutes at a time. If bright red, replace with a fresh piece. If bleeding persists longer than a few hours, a moistened tea bag may be used instead of the gauze. The tannic acid in tea helps the blood clot more quickly.

Peridex Mouth Rinse: 

  • Begin your Peridex mouth rinse the evening of your surgery. Gently rinse for a full minute — twice-a-day for 10 days. Avoid rinsing with any over the counter mouthwashes, such as salt water or hydrogen peroxide for 10 days while using Peridex.

Sutures: 

  • Most sutures dissolve on their own in 5-10 days. If non-dissolving sutures are used, an appointment will be scheduled for suture removal.

Toothbrush: 

  • Brush teeth as normal with a soft-bristled toothbrush while being gentle around the surgical area. A clean mouth heals faster.

Control of Swelling: 

  • Wear ice pack as much as possible for first 48 hours to help decrease swelling-giving the face breaks as needed to comfort. Refill Ziploc bags with fresh ice from home when melted. The ice pack is unnecessary to wear at night when sleeping.

Water Syringe Instructions: 

  • Do not rinse sockets until day 4 after surgery so you don’t dislodge the blood clot.
  • Only rinse the lower sockets since gravity helps food naturally rinse out of the upper sockets.
  • Fill the syringe with room-temperature tap water.
  • Gently place the tip of the syringe down into the socket and flush. Expect to see some food or maybe even a small amount of blood-this is normal. Rinse a few times until socket is free from food.
  • Do this before brushing in the morning and at night.

Should you have any questions or concerns post-operatively, please do not hesitate to contact us at the office or after hours, via our concierge line.