Wisdom teeth, which are called “relics of human evolution”, often bring us pain and trouble because of the lack of growth space, incorrect location and other problems, and have to be removed by surgery. However, wisdom teeth surgery is not “pulled out”, and postoperative care is equally critical. If you’re not careful, it can lead to infection, bleeding, and slow wound healing. Next, we will talk in detail about those things you must not do after wisdom teeth surgery to help you successfully through the recovery period.
First, dietary taboos
(1) Do not eat hot food too early
In the 24 hours after wisdom tooth surgery, the wound in the mouth is still in the clotting stage, and eating hot food is a big taboo at this time. Hot food will dilate the blood vessels in the mouth, and the blood clot that has initially formed may fall off due to the dilation of the blood vessels, leading to renewed bleeding. Imagine that the newly formed scab is destroyed by external forces, and the wound is re-exposed, which will not only bring pain, but also greatly increase the risk of infection. Therefore, in the early stage of the operation, hot soup, hot tea, hot porridge, etc. can not be touched, it is best to choose room temperature or cold food, such as room temperature milk, cold juice, ice cream, etc. In addition to being the right temperature, ice cream acts as a topical cold compress, helping to reduce swelling and pain.
(2) Do not eat spicy, irritating food
Spicy food, such as pepper, Sichuan pepper, mustard, etc., as well as irritating food, such as too sour, too sweet food, in the postoperative recovery period should be firmly avoided. These foods can cause strong irritation to the wound, causing congestion and increased pain in the wound, delaying the healing process. The capsaicin in chili peppers stimulates nerve endings and makes you feel a burning pain; Foods that are too acidic, such as lemon and hawthorn, may irritate the wound, cause pain, and may also affect the stability of the blood clot. In addition, such foods also tend to cause bacterial growth in the mouth, increasing the possibility of infection. Therefore, before the wound is completely healed, the heavy food can only be temporarily put down, and the diet should be light and mild as far as possible.
(3) Can not chew hard food
Postoperative wounds are fragile, chewing hard food, such as nuts, hard biscuits, bones, etc., it is easy to accidentally touch the wound, causing secondary damage. During chewing, hard food puts a lot of pressure on the wound, which can cause blood clots to fall off and the wound to tear, causing bleeding and pain. At the same time, excessive chewing also affects facial muscles, increasing wound tension and affecting healing. Therefore, the postoperative diet should be based on soft rotten and easy to chew foods, such as soft noodles, chicken custard, tofu, pumpkin puree and so on. As the wound heals, you can slowly transition to a normal diet, but you should also pay attention to eating slowly to avoid injuring the wound again.
(4) Do not frequently drink water or drinks with a straw
Many people like to drink through a straw, find it convenient and fun, but after wisdom tooth surgery, this is a dangerous behavior. When a straw is used, negative pressure builds up in the mouth, and this negative pressure force may loosen and dislodge the blood clot in the mouth. Blood clots are essential for wound healing, acting as a protective barrier against bacterial invasion and bleeding. Once the clot breaks off, the wound is exposed to the oral environment, greatly increasing the chances of infection and dry chute (a common postoperative complication characterized by severe pain, bad breath, etc.). Therefore, after surgery, try to drink directly from a cup or drink, avoid using a straw.
Second, the taboo of oral cleaning
(1) No brushing or gargling within 24 hours after surgery
In the first 24 hours after wisdom tooth surgery, the blood clot at the injury is not stable, and the action of brushing and gargling may break the blood clot and cause bleeding. The mechanical friction of brushing your teeth, as well as the shock of water while gargling, can dislodge a blood clot that has just formed. Therefore, do not brush your teeth on the day after surgery, and do not rinse your mouth too hard. If you feel that there is a blood smell or discomfort in the mouth, you can gently gargle with a small amount of water, but do not swish. After 24 hours, you can start gargling gently with warm salt water to keep your mouth clean, but the action must be gentle, and the number of times a day should not be too much, 3-4 times.
(2) Do not use floss to clean the affected side teeth
Although flossing can effectively clean between the teeth, after wisdom tooth surgery, the tissue around the affected side of the tooth is in a fragile state, and using flossing can easily irritate the wound, leading to bleeding or damage to the gums. Even if the surface of the wound appears to have healed initially, the internal tissue may not have fully recovered. Therefore, until the wound is fully healed, try to avoid flossing on the affected side, you can choose to use mouthwash or dental flusher for auxiliary cleaning, but also pay attention to adjust the appropriate strength of the water flow to avoid impact on the wound.
(3) Do not spit vigorously
There may be some blood and secretions in the mouth after surgery, which is normal. However, do not spit vigorously, because the sudden increase in pressure in the mouth when spitting will also produce negative pressure, which may cause blood clot loss and bleeding. If you feel something in your mouth, you can spit it out gently or wipe it with a tissue. At the same time, we should also try to avoid frequent coughing and sneezing, if it is impossible to avoid, try to open the mouth, reduce the pressure in the mouth, and prevent the impact on the wound.
Third. Taboos in daily activities
(1) Do not exercise vigorously
After wisdom tooth surgery, the body needs to concentrate on recovering the wound, strenuous exercise, such as running, jumping rope, playing basketball, playing football, etc., will accelerate the blood circulation of the body, increase blood pressure, resulting in the expansion of blood vessels in the mouth wound, increasing the risk of bleeding. In addition, the shaking and shaking of the body during strenuous exercise may also affect wound healing. In addition, sweat more after exercise, if not cleaned in time, sweat into the mouth, may also cause infection. Therefore, to avoid strenuous exercise for at least a week after surgery, you can choose some more soothing activities, such as walking, yoga stretching, etc., but also pay attention to avoid overwork. As the wound heals, you can slowly increase the amount of exercise according to your physical condition.
(2) Do not bow or bend for a long time
Bowing or bending for a long time will make the head position lower than the heart, resulting in increased head blood pressure, and the pressure of the wound in the mouth will also increase, which is easy to cause bleeding. For example, playing mobile phones for a long time, bending over and lifting heavy objects should be avoided. At rest, the head can be properly padded to keep the head higher than the heart to help reduce swelling and reduce the risk of bleeding. If you need to bend down to grab something, do it as slowly as possible and avoid sudden large movements.
(3) Can not stay up late, keep enough sleep
Staying up late will affect the body’s normal metabolism and immune system function, resulting in a decline in body resistance, which is not conducive to wound healing. During sleep, the body secretes growth hormones that promote tissue repair and regeneration. Therefore, after the operation to maintain a regular schedule, ensure 7-8 hours of adequate sleep every day, so that the body has enough time and energy to recover. Avoid staying up late watching dramas, playing games, etc., and create a quiet and comfortable sleep environment, which helps to improve the quality of sleep.
(4) No smoking or drinking
Smoking and drinking are extremely harmful to recovery from wisdom tooth surgery. Harmful substances such as nicotine in cigarettes con09.blood vessels, reducing blood supply to the wound site and affecting wound healing. At the same time, the suction of smoking also creates negative pressure in the mouth, which may cause blood clots to fall off. Alcohol dilates blood vessels, increasing the risk of bleeding, and can irritate wounds, causing pain and discomfort. In addition, alcohol suppresses immune system function, reducing the body’s resistance to infection. Therefore, during the entire postoperative recovery period, be sure to resolutely quit smoking and drinking until the wound is completely healed.
Four. Other precautions
(1) Do not touch the wound at will
Do not lick the wound with your tongue or touch the wound with your hand after surgery. We have a lot of bacteria on our hands and in our mouths, and touching a wound can easily introduce bacteria and cause infection. If you feel that there is a foreign body in the wound, do not handle it yourself, but contact the doctor in time to let professionals handle it.
(2) Do not stop the drug or change the dose of the drug
Doctors usually prescribe some drugs, such as anti-inflammatory drugs and painkillers, depending on the operation and the individual’s physical condition. Be sure to strictly follow the doctor’s advice to take the drug on time, according to the amount, can not stop the drug or change the dose. Random discontinuation of medication may lead to ineffective control of infection and affect wound healing; However, increasing the dose without authorization may cause adverse reactions. If discomfort or questions arise during medication, consult your doctor promptly.
(3) Abnormal symptoms should not be ignored
In the process of postoperative recovery, if the wound continues to bleed, the pain is aggravated and cannot be relieved, the wound has obvious odor, fever and other abnormal symptoms, do not take it lightly. These may be signs of wound infection or other complications, and you should contact your doctor or go to the hospital immediately to avoid delaying the condition.
Conclusion
Nursing after wisdom tooth surgery is a patient and careful process, understanding and strictly following these contraindications is the key to ensure smooth wound healing and reduce complications. Each person’s recovery may be different, and if you have any questions about post-operative care, be sure to communicate with your doctor promptly. I hope everyone can successfully go through the recovery period of wisdom tooth surgery and recover health as soon as possible!
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