Dr. Hall,
I just had 9 teeth removed – 4 wisdom teeth and 4 for braces (one of which is my baby tooth) and 1 adult tooth hidden under my gums.
It has been the 3rd day and I cannot brush my teeth properly given the pain. Right now I’m only using mouthwash. Is it sufficient?
Keith from New York
Keith,
Don’t do the mouthwash. Not a good idea. Mouthwash isn’t designed to clean an open wound and it can irritate the surgery and prolong the healing. Rinsing is a good idea, but you need something very gentle. Mix half a teaspoon of salt in a cup of water and use that to rinse. Stay away from the mouthwash until everything is healed over in a couple of weeks.
Brushing your teeth is going to be hard the first week. I would brush them only where you can brush with no pain, so that you don’t disturb the healing. Until your tissues have healed a little, you can tear them if your toothbrush disturbs the tissue that has been sutured down before it has a chance to attach itself. But brush the teeth you can, and get as close to the surgery as you can without pain. If it doesn’t hurt, you won’t tear anything.
- Dr. Hall
|
We thank our advertisers who help fund this site. Our cosmetic dentist referral pages list cosmetic dentists we recommend. |
|
|