How to Get Rid of the Salty Taste From a Wisdom Tooth Extraction

Wisdom tooth extraction often leads to swelling, bruising, bleeding, pain and strange tastes in your mouth. In many cases, the salty taste in your mouth is caused by dehydration, nasal congestion or blood eking from your open wounds. Many dentists prescribe rinsing with saltwater to help treat and disinfect wounds. If the salty taste in your mouth is becoming too much to handle, you can remove it by rinsing your mouth and keeping your wound clean.

Things You'll Need

• Toothbrush
• Toothpaste
• Mouthwash
• Antihistamine
• Decongestant

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Instructions

• 1

  Drink as much water as possible, especially during the first 48 hours after your extraction. Drinking water washes away the bacteria, food and saliva in your mouth and helps remove unpleasant tastes.

• 2

  Brush your teeth gently using toothpaste and a soft toothbrush. Do not brush the wounds left from your removed wisdom teeth. Rinse your mouth with tepid water. Do not spit out the rinse as this may dislodge your blood clot, leading to empty sockets. Instead, position your mouth so that it is over a sink and open your mouth. Allow the water to fall from your mouth without adding the force of spitting.

• 3

  Place gauze in your mouth, over your open socket. Replace the gauze whenever it becomes soaked with blood or saliva. If necessary, rinse your mouth out between gauze applications.

• 4

  Eat soft, bland food to help add a new taste in your mouth. Consider eating a food that is naturally salted, such as mashed potatoes or grits. Only eat soft foods for the 24 hours after your surgery. You can move on to semi-soft foods after about 48 hours.

• 5

  Rinse with mouthwash 48 hours after your wisdom tooth extraction. You may wish to rinse every three to four hours if you are suffering from excessive salty taste. Avoid spitting for the first three or four days following surgery.

• 6

  Take an antihistamine or decongestant if you are suffering from allergies or clogged sinuses. A salty case is often caused by excessive mucus from the sinus cavity.