When can you use heat after wisdom teeth removal

Q: Can you use heat after wisdom tooth removal?

After wisdom tooth surgery, you may be wondering if its safe to use a heating pad. In general, we advise against using a heating pad on the surgical area for at least 48 hours after the surgery. This is because heat can increase inflammation and slow the healing process.

Wisdom Teeth Removal After Recovery Tips from Morris Family Dentistry

Table of Contents Show

Wisdom Teeth Removal After Recovery Tips from Morris Family Dentistry
Tomorrow’s Implant Dentistry Today
Can you use heat after wisdom tooth removal?
When can I take heat after tooth extraction?
When do you need a warm compress after wisdom teeth?
Is heat good for wisdom teeth pain?
Does heat help swelling go down after wisdom teeth removal?
Should you heat or ice wisdom teeth?

Everyone responds a little differently to oral surgery. Using these tips can make a better recovery for everyone.

Bleeding

Don’t panic about bleeding. When blood mixes with saliva it may seem like more blood than is actually present. You may have some bleeding for an hour to 24 hours after wisdom teeth removal. You’ll be sent home with extra gauze. Fold this gauze into a ball and bite on it to apply pressure to the surgery site. Take advantage of the time you’re still numb to bite with pressure. Good pressure will stop bleeding in less than an hour.

It’s not unusual to have slight bleeding or oozing for up to 24 hours. If this happens, apply fresh gauze and bite with pressure.

If I could go back in time to when I had my wisdom teeth out, knowing then what I know now, I would do better applying biting pressure to the areas. Good pressure has many benefits: the gums attach to the boney socket, the blood clot has a higher density, and swelling in the gums is minimized.

Swelling

Swelling in the healing process increases for two days and then decreases for two days. Limit swelling by applying ice packs in the first two days, and warm compresses starting on the third day. Taking 800mg of ibuprofen three times a day will also limit swelling.

Ice packs can be applied 15 minutes on and 15 minutes off. The cold limits swelling by decreasing circulation. This is like slowing the number of cars that can enter a traffic jam.

By the third day, it is better to switch to warm compresses to increase circulation. The traffic jam has already happened and we need to get the cars out of the area. Use a heating pad or a damp washcloth heated in the microwave for about 15 seconds. Apply the warm compresses to the cheeks.

Pain

Use the prescription medication as directed. Take the first dose soon after your procedure while the mouth is still numb. Start with ibuprofen. If you need more pain relief, combine the ibuprofen with a different medication like a narcotic or Tylenol. It is better to combine two different pain medications than to take too much of a single medication. To learn more about which medicines work best, reference another one of our blogs.

Brushing and Rinses

Be gentle when you brush in the area from which the wisdom teeth were removed. You should still brush all the teeth. Keeping your mouth clean and healthy will aid healing. If food collects in the socket, use a toothbrush to gently dig it out. Do not use rinses the first 72 hours after wisdom teeth removal. Rinses may be used the third day to bathe the area, but do not rinse vigorously as this may cause a dry socket. Saltwater rinses are more mild than alcohol-based mouthwashes.

Activity

On the day of your procedure, expect to take the day off from work, school, and other activities. Many people feel well enough to return to work and normal activities the next day, though some people benefit from a second day off. Do not exercise for 72 hours after your procedure.

What can I eat after wisdom teeth removal? What are good wisdom teeth recovery foods?

Most people are comfortable with a soft-food diet after wisdom teeth removal. I recommend cooked vegetables, fish, fruit, protein drinks, scrambled eggs, and plenty of water. Avoid junk food or sugar. If you get good nutrition, your body has an amazing ability to heal quickly with a minimum of pain. Extra Vitamin C will also speed the healing of the gum tissue.

Do not do a liquid-only diet. This makes it unlikely you’ll get full nutrition, and the motion of chewing even a soft diet will help keep the jaw more loose and comfortable during recovery.

If you have any questions or concerns, don’t hesitate to call. We’re here to help you.

The removal of impacted teeth is a surgical procedure. Post-operative care is very important.

Unnecessary pain and the complications of infection and swelling can be minimized if the instructions are followed carefully.

Immediately Following Surgery

The gauze pad placed over the surgical area should be kept in place for a half hour. After this time, the gauze pad should be removed and discarded. If bleeding is persistent, replace the gauze for another 30 minutes.
Limit talking. The more you talk, the more your tongue and associated muscles move disturbing the clots.
Vigorous mouth rinsing or touching the wound area following surgery should be avoided. This may initiate bleeding by causing the blood clot that has formed to become dislodged. Rinse gently.
Take the prescribed pain medications as you have been directed. This will usually coincide with the local anesthetic becoming diminished.
Restrict your activities the day of surgery and resume normal activity when you feel comfortable and resume a normal diet.
Place ice packs to the sides of your face where surgery was performed. Refer to the section on swelling for explanation. Do not leave the ice in place longer than 20 minutes at a time.

Bleeding

A certain amount of bleeding is to be expected following surgery. Slight bleeding, oozing, or redness in the saliva is not uncommon and can last for 1-2 days. Excessive bleeding may be controlled by placing gauze over the surgical site and holding firm pressure for 30 minutes at a time. Repeat if necessary. Do not frequently change out the gauze because you are dislodging the early formation of clots. If bleeding continues, bite on a moistened tea bag for thirty minutes. The tannic acid in the tea bag helps to form a clot. To minimize further bleeding, do not become excited! Please sit upright, and avoid talking and exercise. In addition, do not apply ice to the face if you are having trouble controlling the bleeding. The cold temperature can decrease platelet function. If bleeding still does not subside, call for further instructions.

Swelling

The swelling that is normally expected is usually proportional to the surgery involved. Swelling around the mouth, cheeks, eyes and sides of the face is not uncommon. This is the body’s normal reaction to surgery and eventual repair. The swelling will not reach its maximum until 2-3 days post-operatively. However, the swelling may be minimized by the immediate use of ice packs. Two baggies filled with ice, or ice packs should be applied to the sides of the face where surgery was performed. The ice packs should NOT be left on continuously. The ice should be applied intermittently for 20 minutes on and 20 minutes off. After 24 hours, ice has no beneficial effect. If swelling or jaw stiffness has persisted for several days, there is no cause for alarm. This is a normal reaction to surgery. Twenty-four hours following surgery, the application of moist heat to the sides of the face is beneficial in reducing the amount of swelling. Heat should NOT be applied if you are being treated for an acute infection.

Pain

For moderate pain, over the counter analgesics may be used such as Tylenol or ibuprofen.

For severe pain, take the prescribed medications as directed. The prescribed pain medicine can make you groggy and will slow down your reflexes. Do not drive an automobile or work around machinery. Avoid alcoholic beverages. Pain or discomfort following surgery should subside over time. If pain persists, it may require attention and you should call the office.

Diet

After general anesthetic or I.V. sedation, liquids or ice cream should be consumed first. Do not use straws. Drink from a glass or use a spoon for your milkshake. You may eat anything soft by chewing away from the surgical sites. High calorie intake is very important. Refer to the section on suggested diet instructions at the end of the brochure. Nourishment should be taken regularly. You should prevent dehydration by taking fluids regularly. Your food intake may be limited for the first few days. You should compensate for this by increasing your fluid intake. At least 8 glasses of liquid should be taken daily. Try not to miss a single meal. You will feel better, have more strength, less discomfort and heal faster if you continue to eat. Please avoid nuts, seeds, popcorn and chips for 2 weeks.

Caution: If you suddenly sit up or stand from a lying position you may become dizzy. If you are lying down following surgery, make sure you sit for one minute before standing.

Keep the Mouth Clean

Very gentle rinsing can be done later on in the day of surgery. Do not brush your teeth until the following day.

Discoloration

In some cases, discoloration of the skin follows swelling. The development of black, blue, green, or yellow discoloration is due to blood spreading beneath the tissues. This is a normal post-operative occurrence. Moist heat applied to the area may speed up the removal of the discoloration.

Antibiotics

If you have been placed on antibiotics, take as directed. Antibiotics will be given for a purpose and should be completed. Call the office if you have an adverse reaction. It is important to discern side-effects versus true allergies.

Nausea and Vomiting

In the event of nausea and/or vomiting following surgery, a prescription may be provided if severe enough. Keep to a bland diet. Eat prior to taking medications to buffer your stomach.

Other Complications

If numbness of the lip, chin, or tongue occurs there is no cause for alarm. As stated, before surgery, this is usually temporary in nature. You should be aware that if your lip or tongue is numb, you could bite it and not feel the sensation. So be careful. Call if you have any questions.
Slight elevation of temperature immediately following surgery is not uncommon. In fact, it is expected as natural inflammatory response. If the temperature persists, notify the office.
You should be careful going from the lying down position to standing. You were not able to eat or drink prior to surgery. Taking pain medications can make you dizzy. You could get lightheaded when you stand up suddenly. Before standing up, you should sit for one minute then get up.
Occasionally, patients may feel hard projections in the mouth with their tongue. They are not roots, they are the bony walls which supported the tooth. These projections usually smooth out on their own over time.
If the corners of your mouth are stretched, they may dry out and crack. Your lips should be kept moist with an ointment such as Vaseline.
Sore throats and pain when swallowing are not uncommon. This will subside.
Stiffness (trismus) of the jaw muscles may cause difficulty in opening your mouth for a few days following surgery. This is a normal post-operative event which will resolve in time. You will not hurt the wound by opening your mouth. We encourage you to gently stretch your mouth open to rehabilitate normal function.

Finally

Sutures are placed in surgery for various reasons. They are not always required. Sometimes they become dislodged, this is no cause for alarm. Just remove the suture form your mouth and discard it. Your sutures will dissolve on their own. Removal will not be required except for special circumstances. You will be notified if an appointment is needed to remove any sutures.
The pain should subside more and more each day following surgery. If your post-operative pain worsens or unusual symptoms occur call the office for instructions.
There will be a cavity where the tooth was removed. The cavity will gradually fill in with the new tissue over the coming month. In the meantime, the area should be kept clean especially after meals with rinses or a toothbrush.
Your case is individual, no two mouths are alike. Do not accept well intended advice from friends or internet blogs. Discuss your problem with the people best able to help you – the surgeons and trained staff familiar with your case.
Brushing your teeth is okay starting the following day – just be gentle at the surgical sites.
A dry socket is when the blood clot gets dislodged prematurely from the tooth socket. Pain may develop and radiate to the ear. Dry sockets typically occur 4-6 days following surgery. Call the office if this occurs.
If you are involved in regular exercise, be aware that your normal nourishment intake is reduced. Exercise may weaken you. If you get lightheaded, stop exercising.

Tomorrow’s Implant Dentistry Today

Can you use heat after wisdom tooth removal?

After wisdom tooth surgery, you may be wondering if it's safe to use a heating pad. In general, we advise against using a heating pad on the surgical area for at least 48 hours after the surgery. This is because heat can increase inflammation and slow the healing process.

When can I take heat after tooth extraction?

Swelling: apply ice packs to face in area of extraction for 30 minutes on, then 10 minutes off for the first 24 hours following surgery. After the first 24 hours, discontinue ice and use a heating pad or moist heat compress to bring the swelling down.

When do you need a warm compress after wisdom teeth?

Limit swelling by applying ice packs in the first two days, and warm compresses starting on the third day. Taking 800mg of ibuprofen three times a day will also limit swelling.

Is heat good for wisdom teeth pain?

Apply a heating pad or ice pack to your cheeks to reduce pain, inflammation and swelling. Cold reduces pain and inflammation. Heat promotes healing by stimulating blood flow and melting tension. For best results, apply heat or cold to the affected area for 15 minutes then wait 15 minutes before reapplying.

Does heat help swelling go down after wisdom teeth removal?

Use a Heating Pad Apply the pad on your face, directly above the affected area, and leave it on for 15 – 20 minutes at a time — alternating with the other side of your face if you had wisdom teeth removed from both sides. Do this for several days after the procedure, until you start to notice the swelling going down.

Should you heat or ice wisdom teeth?

For the first 24 hours after wisdom teeth removal, you need to go for ice compress to avoid bleeding and swelling. Warm compress will heal the pain. Try to eat cool food like ice cream. If still excessive bleeding continues, consult a doctor.