“Can I brush my teeth after wisdom teeth removal?”

Avoid brushing near the extraction site for 48 hours. Rinse extraction site gently with salt water after 48 hours.

Yes, of course. Just be careful and gentle near extraction areas.

Dear patient,

You definitely need to brush your teeth after extraction. By brushing, you will remove bacteria and help you heal faster. If you notice bleeding in mouth in the area heart the extraction, you want to spend extra time gently cleaning. Bleeding is sign of infection. On the first day of extraction, please do not rinse. Second day, you can use some lukewarm salt water and let the solution sit in the mouth and help disinfect. Do not swish aggressively to prevent tearing at the healing sight. As days pass, you can rinse a bit harder. Definitely brush your teeth and, if you have a water flosser, use it, but avoid the extraction site. Please follow up with your doctor if needed. If you start experiencing pain days after extraction, please follow up with your doctor.
I hope this was helpful to you!

All the best,

Lisa Wu, DMD

Dear Reader,

Yes. You can safely brush your teeth after wisdom teeth removal. Just be careful not to get your toothbrush bristles into the extraction sites (holes where your wisdom teeth were) and don't rinse vigorously. Otherwise, just keep brushing.

Hope this helps,

Steven Chamish, DDS, FAGD, FIOCI