So you just got your wisdom teeth out and you are wondering how you should sleep. It can be a challenge but do not worry. In this article, we are going to give you ideas on how you can sleep and what you should or should not be worried about. It can be a little uncomfortable because you may be experiencing some mild pain, temporary numbness, soreness, tenderness, or tiredness. This can all be expected!
Sleep is a good thing. Your body needs it for a quicker recovery. Wisdom teeth removal can cause some stress on your body and you were heavily medicated or under anesthesia being tired and craving rest is normal.
If you have not read your aftercare instruction, you should. Your oral surgeon or dentist should fill you in on all of the after-care dos and don’ts. If not, you can click here and read our after-care instructions. That’s the first step to a good night’s sleep after wisdom teeth removal. Stick to the after-care instruction so that you do not experience complications. Let’s get started. Here are 5 things you need to do to get a night of better sleep after wisdom teeth extraction.
What should you do to prepare for sleep after wisdom teeth removal?
The first question you need to ask is… “What type of sleeper are you?” Do you sleep on your side, your back, or your belly. You should have a bit so swelling which we want to keep under control. The important thing is that you are comfortable and we keep the swelling down.
You can put an ice pack on your face to decrease pain and reduce swelling, but do not sleep on the ice pack. Before bed, don’t brush your teeth or use mouthwash. We know, that sounds weird and goes against everything you know, but we don’t want to aggravate your mouth. Your mouth has gone through a bit of trauma.
Obviously sleeping on your back is going to be the best position but that is not always the most comfortable. This will keep your head elevated. You may have a stuffy nose or have a little blood coming out of your sockets. You may be tempted to sleep with gauze in your mouth. Do not sleep with gauze. It is important that you take out all gauze before you go to sleep. You could choke and we do not want you choking.
When you’re ready for bed, stack a few pillows up and sleep with your head elevated and inclined. This is a comfortable way to help your body rest easier as well as reduce the facial swelling you may be experiencing. Don’t crash on your couch where a surface like leather or suede could have your head slipping and sliding.
Statistics indicate that sleeping with your head elevated is ideal for the first two days. Do not sleep on your side. Instead, let gravity work in your favor for a few days so you can heal quickly.
Have other wisdom teeth questions? Don’t hesitate to call our office and ask an expert.