How To Sleep After Wisdom Teeth Removal [ANSWERED]

Wisdom teeth, also known as third molars, are not necessary for your survival. That is why the dentist will suggest removal if you have misaligned teeth due to insufficient space in your mouth or pain due to an infection in your wisdom teeth. But do you know how to sleep after wisdom teeth removal?

After the surgery, the dentist will place gauze pads over the incision site to help stop the bleeding; do not sleep without removing the gauze. Make sure you sleep on your bed and not on a slippery surface. Sleep on your back. That's sitting up or sleeping with your head elevated.

An excellent way to sleep after wisdom teeth removal will make you well-rested, which helps with the healing process. Poor sleeping positions could worsen the situation and make things more complex than they should be. Read this article to learn about tips you can use to ensure you do not strain to sleep after wisdom teeth removal.

How To Sleep Post Wisdom Teeth Extraction: 3 Tips

Have you had your wisdom teeth removed? The chances are you are feeling tenderness, numbness, and soreness in your mouth. But do not feel stressed as this is temporary and it will pass within a short time. However, it will negatively impact your sleep. With that in mind, here are ways to ensure you enjoy quality sleep post wisdom teeth extraction.

Take Pain Medication

Pain, no matter how slight, can make it difficult for you to fall asleep. If you experience extreme pain after your third molars get removed, it is important to take pain medication. These drugs will help numb the pain, guaranteeing good quality sleep.

Note that no matter how excruciating the pain is, do not take more medication than recommended. Just take the right amount and wait for it to work. Too much pain medication might numb the pain, making it difficult for you to sleep. Besides, it is dangerous for your organs and general body functioning.

Use an Ice-Pack

The other way to help numb the pain that you are feeling is to use an ice pack. Take the pack and apply it to the tooth extraction area, especially if it gets swollen. The pack will help numb the pain and reduce the swelling. The best part is that you can leave it there if you plan to get a short nap. Note that this is not the best option if you plan to sleep for a long time because it might give you a cold.

Avoid Sleeping On Slippery Surface

If you plan to heal as you sleep on a slippery surface while scrolling your phone or watching the television, know that this is not a great option after removing your wisdom teeth. When you sleep on a slippery surface, your body might fall downwards, hurting you. The best option is to sleep on a regular bed. But again, ensure you keep your head elevated to avoid injuries. If you are on the couch and start to doze off, go to bed immediately.

How To Sleep On The First Night After Tooth Extraction

The first night after your tooth extraction is the toughest, and if you do not follow the correct care routine, you will not sleep. Here are some care routine tips to help you get quality sleep during your first night of tooth extraction.

Here are the steps to help you out. Be sure to adhere to them fully.

• Follow the dental recommendation, like medication, food, and how to ice the area.
• Ensure that you limit your physical activity. Relax as much as you can.
• Keep your body hydrated through the consumption of lukewarm fluids. Drink as usual; you do not need a straw.
• Avoid smoking or using tobacco.
• Do not go hungry; take light meals like milk, fruit smoothies, and nutrition supplements.

How To Handle Wisdom Teeth Removal Aftermath

After the wisdom teeth removal, you will have several days to take care of your body. Don't assume that healing will occur naturally without you doing anything. Handle the aftermath in the following ways to help ease the situation.

1. Pain: Take pain medication such as Tylenol to help ease the pain. Luckily, the pain that you feel after extraction can be reduced by taking over-the-counter medicines.
2. Bleeding: After your tooth gets extracted, some bleeding will occur at the wound site. The best way to avoid this is by using gauze on the bleeding area. That will protect you from blood clots.
3. Swelling: It is normal to experience some pain and swelling afterward. You can lessen the swelling by using an ice pack. The ice pack slowly reduces the swelling, and you will be okay after a while.
4. Nausea: Some people feel nausea after a minor procedure. If that is how you feel, sip some ginger and rest. It is also a good way to help your body recover.

Wisdom Tooth Extraction Recovery: The Dos And Don'ts

It's now the second day after the extraction; how do you maximize your recovery? Here are the do's and don'ts to remember during the wisdom tooth recovery.

What To Do:

• Ensure that you rest and always keep your head elevated.
• Use ice packs once in a while to help reduce inflammation.
• Use warm saline to rinse the mouth after every 24 hours.
• Take antibiotics to avoid wound spread.
• Stick to taking liquids and soft foods.

What Not To Do:

• Do not work out or do some heavy lifting.
• Avoid using a straw for drinking beverages.
• Don't brush close to the sockets.
• Don't gargle your mouth with very hot or cold drinks.
• Avoid hard or crunchy foods.
• Avoid alcohol and tobacco products.
• Do not stay close to allergens that can make you cough or sneeze.

How To Sleep After Wisdom Teeth Removal: Faqs

Read answers to some of the common questions about wisdom teeth removal.

How Long Do I Have To Sleep Sitting Up After Wisdom Teeth Removal?

Once your wisdom teeth get removed, you should sleep sitting up or with your head elevated until the bleeding stops. That might take 1-3 days. Sleeping when you are seated allows your body to drain the fluids away from the excretion site. If you sleep flat on your back, it might increase the swelling.

Can I Take A Shower After Wisdom Teeth Removal?

Yes, it is okay. However, be cautious because you might experience some level of lightheadedness. You still can wait until after some time if you feel like you will end up passing out. But if you feel strong enough, then go and shower.

What Is The Best Position To Sleep In After Tooth Extraction?

Experts recommend the back position. This can be tough for stomach and side sleepers, but it is necessary to control bleeding. The back position applies when sleeping in bed or relaxing on the couch. If you sleep on the side, the head shifts to the side, making it easy to harm the swelling jaw.

Conclusion

Make sure you know how to sleep after wisdom teeth removal. Notably, after your wisdom teeth get extracted, you should adhere to the health guidelines. That will help with your recovery and ensure you do not end up with unwanted complications.

If you follow the guidelines in this article, you will also speed up the recovery process. Again, whenever you notice difficulties, you should seek medical attention from a specialist as soon as possible. That will help you take care of and manage the situation before it escalates.

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