Zzzz… 5 Steps to Get Restorative Sleep after Wisdom Tooth Extraction

Sleep—it’s essential even when you’re completely healthy. However, it becomes even more imperative when you get injured or undergo a surgical procedure, even a minor one like wisdom tooth extraction. Rest allows your brain and body to slow down other functions and focus on healing. However, if you don’t take certain steps, it could be difficult to sleep after this procedure. What are these steps? Keep reading below.

Have Someone with You Until Bleeding Stops

At first, it may seem strange to have someone nearby as you’re trying to sleep and recover from your wisdom tooth extraction, but for a little while, the sites will continue to bleed slightly. Until it stops, you will bite gently down on gauze, which can pose a choking hazard if you’re sleeping. Although you may want to sleep longer, it’s important to check and change the gauze about every 20 minutes. When bleeding slows and gauze is no longer necessary, you don’t need to be supervised anymore.

Keep Your Head Raised

Believe it or not, the position you sleep in can help you stay more comfortable. As you recline and rest, try to elevate your head above your heart, which will prevent blood from pooling in the surgical area. Fortunately, this position often feels natural for resting and sleeping anyway!

Take Pain Medication as Prescribed

Before you leave the dentist’s office, they will either instruct you to take over-the-counter pain reliever or prescribe one for you. Make sure you pick it up from the pharmacy and take it as directed. This medication should allow you to rest more peacefully.

If you still experience pain after the correct dosage, do not take more! You may also try placing a cold pack on your jaw. Should the pain persist or get worse, contact your dentist immediately, especially if you also have swelling, continued bleeding, or a fever. These could be signs of an infection.

Preserve the Blood Clot

An essential part of healing from tooth extractions in general is allowing a blood clot to form over the surgical sites and keeping it there. This clot protects the nerves and other tissues from bacteria. As a result, you need to do everything you can not to disturb that clot! If it becomes dislodged prematurely, you could deal with a painful complication called dry socket, which will not only make you miserable but prevent you from getting the restorative sleep you need.

Stay Fed and Hydrated Properly

In addition to sleep, your body needs to continue getting nutrients and fluids to recover from this minor surgery. However, with your tender tissues, you should stick to soft foods like applesauce, mashed potatoes, and yogurt. As you drink water or have a smoothie, don’t use a straw because the strong sucking motion can remove the clot.

Although relaxing right after minor surgery may seem challenging, following these steps can make sleep come easier to you. As a result, you give your body the opportunity to restore itself and get back to normal as soon as possible.

About the Practice

Amherst Dental Group proudly offers wisdom tooth extraction as well as many other complicated procedures like dental implant placement. Our team makes sure our patients remain comfortable throughout the procedure itself and have everything they need to heal smoothly afterward. If you have questions about wisdom tooth extraction, contact us online or call our Williamsville team at 716-689-8882.