{"id":32972,"date":"2024-08-16T12:50:43","date_gmt":"2024-08-16T12:50:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.saatva.com\/?p=32972"},"modified":"2024-08-16T12:51:00","modified_gmt":"2024-08-16T12:51:00","slug":"how-to-sleep-after-wisdom-teeth-removal","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.saatva.com\/blog\/how-to-sleep-after-wisdom-teeth-removal\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Sleep After Getting Your Wisdom Teeth Removed"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Although wisdom teeth removal may be commonplace, it\u2019s still considered a major surgery. As with any surgery<\/a>, there are special considerations about how to sleep after your oral procedure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This article will share advice from a doctor of dental medicine on how to sleep safely and comfortably after wisdom teeth removal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How to sleep after wisdom teeth removal <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It can take one to two weeks to fully recover from wisdom teeth removal surgery. However, most pain and mouth and cheek swelling subsides after a few days, according to the National Institutes of Health<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here are a few tips to help you get restful sleep at night after getting your wisdom teeth removed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Remove gauze before bedtime<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

First things first: Don\u2019t let yourself drift off to dreamland with a mouth full of gauze.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSleeping with gauze in the mouth creates a choking hazard and is very dangerous,\u201d warns Laura Lawrence, DMD, a doctor of dental medicine and director of dental services at Signature Health<\/a> in northeast Ohio. \u201cOozing from the extraction sites should stop by the time the patient is home, making it safe to remove the gauze and rest.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Apply ice packs<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Lawrence recommends using ice packs before going to sleep after wisdom teeth removal. Cold applications minimize pain and swelling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Many oral surgeons recommend intermittent ice pack application for the first 24 hours after oral surgery. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

When awake, you can minimize swelling by applying an ice pack to one side of your face for 20 minutes, switching to the other for 20 minutes, and repeating as often as desired.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Take pain medications as needed<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Talk to your doctor or dental surgeon about the best medications for managing pain at home. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIf able, keep over-the-counter pain management options like acetaminophen and ibuprofen floating in your system,\u201d suggests Lawrence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

4. Stay hydrated<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Staying hydrated helps your body heal faster. Drinking water<\/a> can also keep the surgical site clean and protect against dry socket<\/a>, a very painful complication of wisdom teeth removal. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s also important to pay attention to the way<\/em> you drink after oral surgery. Avoid swishing, spitting, and drinking with straws for a few days after wisdom tooth removal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5. Elevate your head<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

\u201cStaying elevated while sleeping helps fluids and blood drain away from the surgical sites and reduces inflammation that can cause additional discomfort,\u201d says Lawrence. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

She suggests sleeping in a recliner chair<\/a>, but you can also keep your head elevated by placing an extra pillow or two behind your back and head in bed. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

6. Avoid sleeping on your stomach or side<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Lawrence says that though\u00a0side sleeping<\/a>\u00a0is considered generally safe after oral surgery, you might want to avoid this position the first night after wisdom teeth removal. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSide sleeping can put additional pressure on the jawbones and agitate the surgical sites,\u201d she explains.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s a good idea to ask your surgeon which sleep positions are safe based on the nature of your procedure. When in doubt, try to sleep on your back, with your head elevated\u2014in a recliner, if possible!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

7. Keep necessities close by<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Keep a glass of water and pain medication on your nightstand or a side table<\/a> near the recliner so you don\u2019t have to go hunting for them if you wake up in the middle of the night. Other essentials to keep close may include lip balm, eyeglasses, and your phone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

FAQs <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

How do you sleep at night after wisdom teeth removal? <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

According to Lawrence, it\u2019s best to sleep with your head elevated after oral surgery. \u201cA comfortable, well-padded reclining chair is the best place to rest after wisdom tooth removal,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How can I prevent dry socket while sleeping? <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The best way to prevent dry socket while sleeping is to take precautionary measures while awake. According to Cleveland Clinic<\/a>, you can help prevent dry socket by following all postsurgical instructions and avoiding the following:<\/p>\n\n\n\n