Now that I’ve fully recovered from my very own wisdom teeth removal, let me tell you it’s not a fun thing. The procedure itself tends to go fairly easily, but recovery can be quite difficult. Parents should remember you must have everything you need before the surgery. Any stop on the way home is an absolutely terrible idea. Your kid will be all doped up and, although they’ll be quite amusing, walking them around a store is the last thing you’d ever want to do.
Parents, when you get home you’ll want to get out and unlock the door if that’s needed. Make sure your child understands they’re to stay in the car. Trying to get out on their own is not a good idea. Once you’re ready, open their door and help them out of the car. Unless their bedroom is on the first floor or you have an elevator in your house, bring them to the comfiest location on the first floor, probably a den or living room. This will be their new home for a few days. Try to get a bit of food into them, maybe a milkshake or smoothie, and then give whatever drugs are required. Then have them sleep the rest of the anesthetics off.
Patients, after you’ve woken up you’ll probably be hungry, sore, or both. At this point the gauze in your mouth will be due for a change. Remove it as gently as possible and try to open your mouth as little as possible, as well. If you’re hungry have some yogurt, a smoothie, or a milkshake now while you don’t have any gauze in. After eating put in more gauze, even if you’re sure your mouth is not bleeding. You may not always be able to taste the blood, and swallowing blood will make you sick. If you want, ice your cheeks and your jaw with a bag of frozen peas or corn. Frozen veggies will work better than an ice pack as they mold to your face more. If you don’t want to hold the bags to your face, use a scarf. Hold it under your chin and tie on top of your head to hold them in place.
If you have a smaller mouth like I do, you’ll be in more pain as they have to really stretch your mouth open to get your teeth out. Try your best not to use the extra prescription pain killers they give you. Many people don’t fare well with them, myself including, and vomiting is one of the worst things you can do at this point. Trust me, it hurts. If needed, you can piggyback acetaminophen on top of the ibuprofen they give you. While you’re down and out it’s a great time to catch up on TV shows and watch movies.
Lastly, remember to take the antibiotics prescribed to you, along with any oral rinses. Around the third or fourth day start rinsing your gum sockets out with salt water. Also, on the second or third day you can start using heat with the ice to help with swelling and the stiffness of your jaw.