Wisdom teeth are the last four permanent adult teeth, also known as the third molars, located in the back of your mouth. They are the last teeth to push out of the gums, usually when you are an adult. Some people have a difficult time getting their wisdom teeth to come in, resulting in surgery.
While there are several aftercare recommendations when you have your wisdom teeth removed, many people want to know, “How long after wisdom teeth removal can I drink soda?”.
How Long After Wisdom Teeth Removal Can I Drink Soda?
It is recommended that you do not drink soda after wisdom tooth removal for at least 24 hours. When you do resume drinking soda, do not use a straw to sip it. You should avoid using a straw to drink your soda for a week to 10 days. Otherwise, this can lead to dry socket, which causes severe pain in the mouth and can lead to infection.
Also, you should avoid the following things for the following for 4 days after surgery or the risk of infection increases greatly:
- Alcoholic
- Caffeinated drinks
- Hot beverages
- Hard foods
- Tobacco products
Check with your dentist for any other recommendations that they have for aftercare from surgery.
When Do You Get Your Wisdom Teeth Removed?
The reason you’d get your wisdom teeth removed varies from person to person. Anything from overcrowding in your mouth to potential or previous damage to your current teeth that may have or could occur because of them. This can come from misaligned teeth growing in at an incorrect angle which can grow into other teeth and crack them.
1. Pending Damage to The Jaw
The growth can also happen by growing towards the back of the mouth. This can cause damage to the jaw. The tooth may also grow in at a ninety-degree angle, also known as lying down. This can also cause damage to the second molars.
2. Pain From Crowding
Some people will have wisdom teeth that never come out. They developed in the jaw but never pushed through. Pain can be a big problem from the crowding in the mouth. Pain isn’t the only reason people would have the procedure.
3. Infections
Food can get trapped in the area of the wisdom teeth or behind the teeth. This could lead to infection or gum disease, or periodontal disease. When it’s partially erupted wisdom tooth might start to decay. As we’ve previously discussed, damage to the surrounding tooth or jaw bone. A painful cyst filled with fluid can develop.
Where Does the Procedure Take Place?
The removal can be done by either a well-equipped dentist’s office or an oral surgeon might be necessary depending on how impacted the tooth might be. You should never try to remove the tooth yourself for it can cause further damage to other teeth. There is also an extremely increased risk of infection in the area. It is also painful, so the use of anesthesia is beneficial.
How Are Wisdom Teeth Removed?
First, you’ll get your anesthesia, to be determined by you and your doctor. This is a long procedure so being put under general anesthesia could be required. Although your doctor and you might opt for a less intense local anesthetic, there is a possibility of sedation.
Always make sure to go into the surgery prepared. Understand how and what procedure your doctor is doing. Why they opted for that specific procedure. Know who your emergency contact is and how you’re getting home. You should also be aware of how long your individual procedure should last.
- Anesthesia- you’ll start with the chosen form of anesthesia.
- The doctor will make an incision in your gum to expose the jaw bone.
- After they have exposed the bone they will remove the bone that hides the root.
- Your wisdom tooth will likely then be cut into smaller pieces, about four.
- Now that they have separated the tooth they will slowly remove the pieces ensuring not to leave any remanence of the tooth or any debris.
- If there are any of the teeth left behind it runs a risk of infection or damage to the surrounding teeth and jaw bone.
- The doctor will clean the area to minimize the risk of infection.
- Once everything is removed and clean the doctor will sew up the area.
This process will be repeated based on the number of teeth you need to have removed.
Care After Wisdom Teeth Removal
Given that the surgery is performed in your mouth, your wound will take longer to heal as it is exposed to moisture. Make sure to drink lots of water to keep yourself well hydrated.
What to Eat
Make sure to eat soft foods that are low in sugar for at least twenty-four hours. You may start eating semi-soft foods after twenty-four hours as you can tolerate them. Avoid foods that are able to get stuck in the wound for several days, as this can irritate the area and cause infection.
Keep Your Mouth Clean
Keeping your mouth clean is important, however, you should wait at least twenty-four hours after surgery before brushing or using mouthwash as you don’t want to irritate the wound. When you do start brushing make sure to be very gentle around the surgical wound so as not to open it up.
Rinse With Saltwater
You can use a saltwater rinse every two hours and immediately after eating for a week.
Do not smoke or use tobacco for at least seventy-two hours after surgery. Longer is preferred, however, seventy-two hours is a minimum.
How Do Stitches Come Out?
Your stitches will likely dissolve on their own so you will not need to be removed. If your dental professional did not use dissolving stitches or they do not dissolve on their own you will need to make an appointment to have them removed.
When to Call The Doctor
While this is a relatively common procedure there is a possibility that things will go wrong. Make sure to contact your doctor immediately or go to the emergency room if you experience any of the following.
- Difficulty swallowing or breathing.
- Excessive bleeding.
- Severe pain that isn’t being managed by the prescribed pain medications (do not take anything not prescribed in case of complications).
- Swelling that is worse after a few days.
- Foul taste in your mouth that doesn’t go away after rinsing with salt water.
- Pus or ooze coming from the open wound.
- Loss of feeling or numbness in the mouth or jaw.
- If you have any blood or pus that is being discharged from your nose.
If you have any questions or concerns regarding your procedure, be sure to ask your dentist. They will help you understand what to expect before, during, and after the surgery.
