Worried about how wisdom teeth removal will affect your sleep? You’re not alone – many patients share the same concern. And the truth is, the post-surgical discomfort can make getting enough shut-eye a bit more difficult.
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- Take Your Pain Medication
- Choosethe Right Position
- Elevate Your Head
- Follow Your Aftercare Instructions
- Can I sleep on my side after wisdom tooth removal?
- How long do you have to sleep upright after wisdom teeth removal?
- When can I sleep on my side after tooth extraction?
- How can I prevent dry socket while sleeping?
- Can I sleep on my side after oral surgery?
Fortunately, with the right approach, you can sleep after wisdom teeth removal. Here, we explain how to get the rest you need when you’re recovering from a toothextraction.
Take Your Pain Medication
When your anesthesia wears off, you may be in some pain – and any discomfort can hinder your efforts to fall asleep. Don’t try to tough it out. Instead, set yourself up for a good night’s sleep by taking your pain medication as directed by your oral surgeon.
Choosethe Right Position
During the initial stages of healing, the tooth extraction site may ooze. Because of this, sleeping on your side is best, at least for the first night. Plus, if you lie flat on your back, you might experience more swelling. That could increase your pain and make resting an even greater challenge.
Elevate Your Head
Afterwisdom teeth extraction, you need to sleep with your head elevated for the first few nights. A single pillow should suffice when you’re sleeping on your side. If you’re having trouble falling asleep in that position, pile a few pillows behind you for support and lean back.
Follow Your Aftercare Instructions
For the best chance at snoozing the nightaway in comfort, you need to pay attention to your oral surgeon’s aftercare instructions. Take good care of yourself when you’re recovering from wisdom teeth extraction, and you’ll have a smoother and easier recovery experience.
To pave the way for a night of restful sleep, follow these guidelines:
- Apply ice and heat as directed until the time you go to bed
- Keep your physical activity to a bare minimum
- Stay hydrated, but don’t drink from a straw
- Don’tsmoke or use tobacco in any form
- Satisfy your appetite before hitting the sack – try milk, fruit smoothies, low-sodium broth or nutritional supplement drinks
Your oral surgeon may have additional recommendations. Listen to their advice, and you shouldn’t have much of a problem sleeping after wisdom teeth removal.
If you have worries about recovering from wisdom teeth extraction and you live in Wayne Township, Wayne County or the surrounding east central Indiana area,make an appointment at Richmond Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery.
As wisdom tooth extraction specialists, Dr. Partridge and Dr. Alderman have years of experience helping patients through the process. The Richmond Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery team can answer your questions, address your concerns and offer expert advice on how to have a positive recovery experience. Contact us and schedule a consultation to discuss wisdom teeth removaltoday.
Wisdom teeth are the last set of molars found in the back of your mouth. They usually fully emerge through your gums between the ages of 18 to24.
Wisdom teeth removal is the most common dental surgery in the United States. It makes up about 95 percent of tooth extractionsamong people with insurance between the ages of 16 to 21. Dentists often recommend removing your wisdom teeth if they’re currently causing dental problems, or if they think wisdom teeth may cause problems in the future.
Surgical removal of your wisdom teeth commonly causes jaw swelling, bruising, and pain that may make sleeping uncomfortable.
Let’s look at some ways you can minimize your discomfort and increase your chances of getting a good night’s sleep.
Somepeople experience more pain than others after wisdom teeth extraction, but almost everybody has some discomfort. Here are some ways you can minimize pain while trying to sleep.
- Take any pain relievers as prescribed. If your dental surgeon prescribes you pain relievers, you should take them as directed.
- Take ibuprofen. You can take ibuprofenif you’re not prescribed other pain medication. This is as long as you do not have any medical conditions that may interfere with it, and if your oral surgeon says it’s OK. Research shows that taking one dose of 400 milligrams (mg) of ibuprofen is better than taking 1,000 mg of Tylenol, and taking both ibuprofen and Tylenol can be even more effective at relieving pain than either medication alone. Make sure to not exceed maximum daily doses and follow directions from your surgeon.
- Create a comfortable sleeping environment. Keeping your room dark and cool and following other habits before bed that help you sleep may help take your mind off your pain.
- Elevate yourhead. Try elevating your head by using an extra pillow at night to help reduce swelling and promote clotting.
- Sleep on your side. Sleeping on your side allows you to more easily keep your head propped up on a pillow compared to sleeping on your back.
- Apply ice. A 2019 review of studies found some evidence that ice applied in the first few days after wisdom tooth extraction helps reduce swelling. You can apply an ice pack wrapped in a cloth to yourjaw for 10 to 20 minutes at a time.
- Follow your surgeon’s other instructions. It’s a good idea to follow any other particular advice your surgeon gives you for reducing your symptoms.
When healing from a wisdom tooth extraction, it’s important to take care not to dislodge the blood clots forming in your wounds, particularly in the first 24 hours. Dislodging or improper formation of a blood clot can cause a condition called dry socket. Thisis one of the most common complications of wisdom tooth surgery and may occur on days 3 to 5.
To minimize your risk of complications, it’s a good idea to avoid the following habits:
- Sleeping flat on your back. The RICE protocol of rest,ice, compression, and elevation is commonly recommended for promoting injury recovery. Use an extra pillow or two to elevate and support your head when sleeping.
- Brushing around your wounds. It’s a good idea to avoid brushing around the surgery site for at least the first 24 hours to avoid dislodging your blood clot.
- Staying up late. It’s important to get plenty of rest to give your body the time it needs to heal itself.
- Drinkingalcohol or smoking. Alcohol and tobacco can both interfere with your body’s ability to heal itself. It’s a good idea to avoid these activities for at least 24 hours after your surgery, and ideally until you’re fully healed.
The purpose of gauze is to help your body clot the wound by applying light pressure against your wound. You shouldnever sleep with gauze in your mouth because it’s a potential choking hazard.
It’s also critical to take care not to fall asleep when you’re lying down with gauze in your mouth, especially if you’re taking medications that may cause drowsiness.
It can take weeks to fully heal from a wisdom tooth extraction, but taking good care of your wounds can help you minimize your recovery time. Some morning habits that may help include:
- taking any medication asprescribed by your doctor
- assessing for signs of infection or other complications
- icing your face with an ice pack or frozen veggies wrapped in a cloth
- after the first 24 hours, gently rinsing your mouth with an antiseptic mouth wash to help kill bacteria that can lead toinfection
- sticking to soft foods for breakfast, such as eggs and smoothies, that are unlikely to irritate your wounds
It’s normal to experience some discomfort after having your wisdom teeth removed. Taking pain medications as prescribed by your doctor, creating a comfortable sleeping environment, and keeping your head elevated may help you manage pain and swelling when trying to sleep.
If your pain gets worse, you develop new pain, or you haveswollen lymph nodes under your jaw, you may have developed an infection or dry socket. If you suspect you have one of these conditions, you should call your oral surgeon’s office.
Can I sleep on my side after wisdom tooth removal?
Choose the Right Position. During the initial stages of healing, the tooth extraction site may ooze. Because of this, sleeping on your side is best, at least for the first night. Plus, if you lie flat on your back, you might experience more swelling.
How long do you have to sleep upright after wisdom teeth removal?
How long do I have to sleep elevated/keep sitting up after wisdom tooth removal? Elevated sleeping is recommended for the first and second day of surgery. Sleep with your head elevated for at least 72 hours or until the bleeding has stopped.
When can I sleep on my side after tooth extraction?
Sleeping on your back is necessaryYou'll need to sleep on your back for at least a week after the initial procedure.
How can I prevent dry socket while sleeping?
How To Avoid Dry Socket After Tooth Removal – Our Tips & Advice.
Do Not Use A Straw For 24-48 Hours After Your Surgery. ... .
Avoid Spitting Vigorously After Rinsing For 24-48 Hours After Extraction. ... .
Don't Smoke Or Use Oral Tobacco For 48 Hours. ... .
Do Not Brush The Extraction Site Directly For 3-4 Days..
Can I sleep on my side after oral surgery?
Find the Right Sleeping PositionAs you are healing, your extraction site may ooze. Therefore it is helpful to lay on your side, especially for the first night of recovery. Laying flat on your back can be uncomfortable if your extraction site oozes, and it may also cause you to experience more swelling.
FAQs
When can I start sleeping on my side after wisdom teeth removal? ›
Can I sleep on my side after wisdom tooth removal? You should avoid sleeping on your side for a few days after wisdom tooth removal. Sleeping in an upright position is recommended to keep the bleeding under control. Also, keep your head elevated to reduce swelling and bleeding.
How can I prevent dry socket while sleeping? ›- Do Not Use A Straw For 24-48 Hours After Your Surgery. ...
- Avoid Spitting Vigorously After Rinsing For 24-48 Hours After Extraction. ...
- Don't Smoke Or Use Oral Tobacco For 48 Hours. ...
- Do Not Brush The Extraction Site Directly For 3-4 Days.
Following any type of oral surgery, including a tooth extraction, you should sleep elevated for the first 2-3 nights. This allows your body to drain more of the fluid away from the extraction site. If you were to lie flat on your back, the amount of swelling is much more likely to increase.
Why am I having throbbing pain 5 days after wisdom teeth removal? ›Dry socket (alveolar osteitis) is one of the most common complications of wisdom tooth removal. It's where a blood clot fails to develop in the tooth socket, or if the blood clot becomes dislodged or disappears. This can happen 3 to 5 days after surgery.
What is elevated sleeping position? ›Inclined bed therapy involves raising a person's head above their feet when they are lying down. People use inclined bed therapy to ease certain health conditions. A person can use special beds, mattresses, bed risers, or pillows to sleep in an inclined position.
How long does it take for a clot to form after tooth extraction? ›The first 24 hours - The first 24 hours after extraction are important, as this is when a blood clot will start to form at the extraction site.
When is dry socket no longer a risk? ›When Can I Stop Worrying About Dry Socket? Until the full recovery of your extraction site, a dry socket can form if you fail to follow the care tips. Usually, a week (7-8 days) after wisdom tooth extraction, you can stop worrying about a dry socket as gums take this much time to close fully.
Does salt water stop dry socket? ›One of the best things you can do is rinse your mouth with warm saltwater. This will help to remove any food particles that could be irritating your dry socket and promote blood clotting. You want to make sure that you're using warm water and not hot because hot water could further irritate your wound.
Does salt water prevent dry socket? ›We recommend a gentle salt water rinse to clean the area that is healing and prevent food from getting caught. The salt water promotes healing and reduces the risk of complications. Be careful to use gentle swishing motions. Too much force while swishing the salt water could irritate and possibly lead to a dry socket.
What position should I sleep in after wisdom teeth removal? ›After wisdom teeth extraction, you need to sleep with your head elevated for the first few nights. A single pillow should suffice when you're sleeping on your side. If you're having trouble falling asleep in that position, pile a few pillows behind you for support and lean back.
What is the best position to sleep after wisdom teeth removal? ›
Try elevating your head by using an extra pillow at night to help reduce swelling and promote clotting. Sleep on your side. Sleeping on your side allows you to more easily keep your head propped up on a pillow compared to sleeping on your back. Apply ice.
Why am I so tired after wisdom teeth removal? ›Your body is using energy to heal itself, so you may feel more tired than usual – this is perfectly normal.
Which day hurts worse after wisdom teeth? ›With a typical wisdom tooth extraction, discomfort typically improves after 3 or 4 days, with day three usually being the most noticeable in regard to discomfort. If you are developing an infection or dry socket, the pain may last as long as two weeks without professional treatment.
What can I do 72 hours after wisdom tooth extraction? ›- No drinking hot drinks. ...
- Avoid foods that are extremely chewy, as this requires you to move your jaw which can dislodge the blood clot.
- Avoid brushing near the extraction site.
- Do not rinse your mouth out.
Discomfort is normal after the extraction of teeth and typically peaks on days 2–4. The local anesthetic administered during your surgery normally has a duration of about 2-8 hours. Many patients are able to manage pain after surgery with over-the-counter (OTC) medications, such as Tylenol® and Motrin®.
What is worst sleeping position? ›The worst sleep position: On your stomach
“This position puts the most pressure on your spine's muscles and joints because it flattens the natural curve of your spine,” he says. “Sleeping on your stomach also forces you to turn your neck, which can cause neck and upper back pain.”
Sleeping on your left side is thought to have the most benefits to your overall health. Still, either side can offer benefits in terms of sleep apnea and chronic lower back pain relief. You don't have to stick with one side the entire night. Feel free to start on your left side and see how your body feels.
What are the 6 sleeping positions? ›- Fetal position. It's the most popular sleeping position. ...
- Yearners. This is someone who sleeps on their side with their arms stretched out in front of them. ...
- The log. ...
- The soldier. ...
- Freefall. ...
- Starfish.
It may take several weeks for the gum tissue to grow over the sockets. Food will probably get stuck in the sockets until they close over completely.
How do I know if my tooth extraction is healing properly? ›By day 3, your gum swelling should subside and your open wound from extraction will begin to close. In 7 days, your gums should be very close to being completely healed with minimal sensitivity or pain. These are all signs that your gums are healing nicely and in the expected time frame.
When can I stop rinsing with salt water after tooth extraction? ›
A teaspoon of salt in a glass of warm water gently rinsed around the socket twice a day can help to clean and heal the area. Keep this up for at least a week or for as long as your dentist tells you.
What does dry socket taste like? ›Another common symptom of a dry socket is a bad or sour taste in your mouth. This can be one of the first signs of infection, so don't let that smell linger without taking swift action. Swish warm salt water or a dentist-recommended rinse in your mouth gently before getting on the books at your local dental office.
What increases risk of dry socket? ›Common Risk Factors for Dry Socket
Smokers often experience a slower recovery time as a result of the effects of nicotine and tobacco on the open wound. Additionally, the suction used to smoke a cigarette can dislodge a blood clot and cause AO.
Stitches, which are usually placed after the removal of an impacted tooth, do not prevent dry sockets. Women taking birth control pills and smokers are more prone to dry sockets. The symptoms of a dry socket are easily treated with a medicated dressing.
Is cold water good for dry socket? ›Rinse with salt water twice a day. Use a cold compress on the side of your face with the dry socket. Stay hydrated to prevent side-effects of pain medication such as nausea. Avoid tobacco and alcohol.
Can the ER treat dry socket? ›If the dentist who extracted the tooth is unavailable, patients with dry socket can get help at emergency dental clinics, urgent care clinics, or a hospital emergency room. All of these facilities have emergency dentists who can treat dry socket.
Do antibiotics help dry socket? ›Prevention methods include avoiding smoking before and after surgery and a traumatic surgery, the use of antibiotics, such as, azithromycin, can be considered, chlorohexidine rinse or gel can be effective in the reduction of dry socket incidence.
Is heat or ice better for dry socket? ›Heat will likely be most beneficial for soothing pain caused by dry socket, though cold can help numb your nerves more efficiently.
What helps gums heal faster after extraction? ›- Rest. It is crucial to get adequate rest after your tooth extraction. ...
- Eat a Soft Food Diet. ...
- Avoid Using a Straw or Smoking. ...
- Cold Therapy. ...
- Use Over-the-Counter Medications. ...
- Maintain Good Oral Hygiene.
Your dentist or oral surgeon may pack the socket with medicated gel or paste and medicated dressings. These can provide relatively fast pain relief. The severity of your pain and other symptoms will determine whether you need dressing changes and how often or if you need other treatment.
When can I brush my teeth with toothpaste after an extraction? ›
Regardless of the type of extraction you get, it can take up to two weeks to recover from tooth extraction. Dentists typically recommend waiting to brush your teeth with toothpaste for at least three days after having a tooth pulled.
How can I speed up the healing process of my wisdom teeth? ›- Be Mindful of What You Eat. ...
- Rest as Much as Possible. ...
- Salt Water Rinses. ...
- Keep Your Head Elevated. ...
- Book a Follow-up Appointment.
The ice packs should NOT be left on continuously. The ice should be applied intermittently for 20 minutes on and 20 minutes off. After 24 hours, ice has no beneficial effect. If swelling or jaw stiffness has persisted for several days, there is no cause for alarm.
How long do I need to sleep elevated after tooth extraction? ›Following any type of oral surgery, including a tooth extraction, you should sleep elevated for the first 2-3 nights. This allows your body to drain more of the fluid away from the extraction site. If you were to lie flat on your back, the amount of swelling is much more likely to increase.
Why does my tooth extraction site hurt more at night? ›Why does tooth extraction pain hurt more at night? It's normal to feel more dental pain of any kind at night. When we lie down, more blood and other fluids travel to our heads. This can increase swelling in a sensitive, healing area like an extraction socket, creating more pain.
Is wisdom tooth extraction pain worse at night? ›Patients may first notice the pain starting in the ear radiating down towards the chin. The symptoms are usually worse at night, and your pain medication regimen may not help. Occasionally it is helpful to place a medicated dressing in the empty tooth socket.
What are red flags after wisdom teeth removal? ›Warning Signs –when to See a Dentist
Other red flags to watch out for include: Pus between teeth and gum. Swelling around wisdom teeth. Red, irritated gum around the wisdom tooth.
Stitches are a big concern to patients, and many do not realize the stitches are typically dissolvable. Most sutures will dissolve or fall out on their own after 2-7 days.
Is it normal to feel tired 3 days after tooth extraction? ›Your body is using energy to heal itself, so you may feel more tired than usual – this is perfectly normal.
Will my teeth straighten after wisdom teeth extraction? ›This causes a strange sensation and is also why some people feel as though the alignment of their teeth has changed. Though removing your wisdom teeth does not change the alignment of your teeth, you will definitely feel a difference in how your jaw or bite fits together.
When does pain after tooth extraction peak? ›
If you have a tooth removed (extraction), look for any signs of infection. The pain and swelling usually get worse about 4 to 6 days after surgery.
Why is my jaw so tired after wisdom teeth removal? ›Jaw stiffness and soreness is common after oral surgery and may result in limited mouth opening (trismus). This is as a result of the surgery involving the jaw muscles at or near the surgical site. This condition may last for a few days to a week. On rare occasions, jaw stiffness may take longer to resolve.
What to do 48 hours after tooth extraction? ›48 hours after surgery, rinse mouth with warm salt water every 1-2 hours. Avoid using any mouthwash containing alcohol as it can irritate the wound. Keep your mouth clean by brushing areas around the surgical site, but be sure to avoid sutures. Touching the wounded area in any fashion should be prevented.
How long do you have to use salt water after tooth extraction? ›Begin saltwater rinses the day after surgery and continue for 1 week. Rinse with warm salt water 3–4 times each day. To make the saltwater solution, dissolve 1 teaspoon of salt in a small glass of warm tap water. If you have been given an irrigating syringe, start irrigation 1 week following surgery.
Why do wisdom teeth exist? ›Our Early Ancestors Needed Wisdom Teeth
In our caveman days, we didn't have forks and knives to cut up our food, and we couldn't even cook meat. Because early humans needed to chew coarse, hearty foods, they required a broader jaw. Wisdom teeth grew in to give them more chewing power for this purpose.
Some people are hesitant to get their wisdom teeth extracted because of the mistaken belief that the procedure can change their face shape or jawline. This is just some old wives' tale- having wisdom teeth taken out does nothing to change your face or jaw shape.
Is it OK to move your jaw after wisdom teeth removal? ›Keep the Jaw Moving
During the wisdom teeth recovery time, it is important to keep your jaw moving with simple exercises such as slowly opening and closing your mouth. This is helpful since you are bound to feel stiffness in your mouth after surgery, so keeping your jaw moving helps to lessen this stiffness.