How to Sleep After Wisdom Tooth Extraction

Having your wisdom teeth removed is undoubtedly an unpleasant experience, and the recovery period that follows can be even less enjoyable. Sore and bleeding gums make it difficult not only to eat but also to fall asleep. Thankfully, there are ways to help you sleep more easily and comfortably while minimizing discomfort after the procedure.

Remove all gauze from your mouth. You run the risk of choking if you leave gauze in your mouth while trying to sleep. Be sure to carefully remove all the gauze your dentist placed in your mouth before lying down to rest.

• Wait at least half an hour after the extraction before removing the gauze from your mouth.

Take the pain medication prescribed by your dentist. You will experience significant pain after the surgery, especially on the first day. Painkillers are necessary to numb the pain long enough for you to fall asleep.

• Follow your dentist's instructions on the dosage for pain relief medication.
• Take the pain medication before the anesthetic wears off (about 8 hours). This will help you manage discomfort more effectively after the surgery.
• Maintaining continuous pain relief will also contribute to a more peaceful sleep.

Drink cool water when you're able to. Keeping your mouth moist and preventing bleeding is important, so drink cool water. However, avoid eating or drinking anything that irritates your mouth. Wait until the pain subsides and you feel ready to drink.

• Avoid using a straw for at least one week after the surgery.
• Do not drink hot water or eat hot foods during your recovery period. Only consume soft, cool foods and drinks when you're comfortable.

Apply an ice pack to your face to reduce swelling in your gums. Using a cold compress on your cheek will numb the pain in your gums and help you sleep better. Apply the ice pack near the extraction site for no longer than 30 minutes before going to sleep.

• Be sure to wrap the ice pack in cloth before applying it to your face.
• If you plan to take a short nap, you can leave the ice pack on your face while you rest. However, avoid leaving it on for longer periods, as it can cause discomfort due to coldness.
• Never apply heat to your face after a tooth extraction.

Avoid brushing your teeth, rinsing your mouth, or touching the wound. These actions may disturb the blood clot in the wound and cause bleeding to resume. Sleeping will be difficult when your mouth is both painful and bleeding.

• If bleeding starts again and you need to place gauze on the wound, do not sleep with the gauze still in your mouth. Wait until the bleeding stops (at least 30 minutes), remove the gauze, and then go to sleep.

Elevate your head while sleeping to reduce swelling. Use pillows to raise your upper body at a 45-degree angle, keeping your head elevated. This position helps minimize swelling at the extraction site and reduces the throbbing pain, making it easier for you to sleep.

• Though this may not be a natural sleeping position, elevating your head is one of the most effective ways to ease oral pain.
• Consider purchasing a wedge pillow (a triangular-shaped pillow that supports an incline) to maintain this position more comfortably.

Avoid sleeping on slippery surfaces like leather fabric. The inclined position may cause you to slide down while you drift off to sleep. Stay away from leather couches to ensure a restful sleep without inadvertently hurting yourself.

• You will feel more secure sleeping on a regular bed with your head elevated.

Keep your bedroom dark and cool to create the ideal sleep environment. Turn off all lights in the room, use heavy curtains to block out light, and lower the room's temperature to optimize the atmosphere for sleep.

• Maintain a room temperature between 16-19°C to help your body cool down when it's ready for sleep.
• If you have your phone by your bedside, be sure to place it face down while you sleep so you aren't disturbed by notifications or screen light.

Use aromatherapy to aid sleep. Certain scents have been shown to reduce stress and promote better sleep. You can use candles, oils, or sprays to create a relaxing fragrance in your bedroom.

• Lavender and vanilla are the most effective scents for improving sleep.
• A quick and easy way to use fragrance is to soak a cotton ball in essential oil and place it near your pillow.
• Be cautious when lighting scented candles in your room—never fall asleep with a candle still burning.

Play soothing music to relax. It can be difficult to forget the discomfort in your gums long enough to fall asleep. Try playing calm, slow-paced music as you lie in bed to shift your focus away from the pain.

• Slow-tempo music is usually the best for helping you drift off. Opt for music with a tempo of around 60-80 beats per minute.
• Genres like jazz, classical music, and folk tunes can be particularly helpful for sleep.

• Every case is unique. Always follow the post-surgery care instructions provided by your dentist or surgeon.

• Avoid smoking, drinking through a straw, or engaging in any activity that requires sucking through the mouth. These actions can cause pain or discomfort and delay the healing process. It can even result in a painful condition known as dry socket, extending recovery time.