Sleeping with Pain or Injury

What are the main concerns regarding sleep after heart surgery? Will you be confined to sleeping on your back for weeks on end?

You can sleep in any comfortable position once you arrive home after heart surgery. The incision wound will be stapled securely. Your sleeping position will not affect the wound site. However, sleeping on your back for weeks makes sense if you find this position comfortable.

It is normal to experience difficulty sleeping after heart surgery. Here are a few strategies that may help you get a better night’s sleep:

1. Follow your healthcare provider’s instructions: Your provider may give you specific instructions on how to care for yourself after surgery, including recommendations for sleep. Follow these instructions closely.
2. Take your medications as directed: Some medications, such as painkillers, can interfere with sleep. Talk to your provider about any concerns you have with your medications and their potential impact on your sleep.
3. Create a comfortable sleep environment: A cool and dark room, a comfortable bed, and minimal noise can all help you get a better night’s sleep.
4. Engage in relaxation techniques: Deep breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, or mindfulness meditation may help you relax and fall asleep more easily.
5. Avoid screens before bed: The blue light emitted by screens can disrupt your natural sleep-wake cycle, making it harder to fall asleep. Avoid screens for at least an hour before bed.
6. Consider talking to a healthcare provider: If you are having persistent difficulty sleeping after heart surgery, a healthcare provider may be able to offer additional guidance and support.

What sleeping position after heart surgery?

A position that you feel comfortable with will be the best position for you. It makes sense to sleep on your back when you return home from heart surgery.

Some of you may even prefer to sit in a recliner and sleep in a slightly elevated position. If this position is comfortable for you, then go ahead.

Sleeping on your side is permitted if you find it comfortable, there are no real restrictions, and there is no need to learn any special techniques to learn how to sleep after heart surgery.

Your chest has been securely fixed together, and the incision may look large but rest assured the surgical team have fixed your chest robustly.

Will sleeping on your side cause pain? It may cause some aching, but the pain is managed extremely well after heart surgery. During surgery, your breastbone or sternum is injected with a local anaesthetic lasting around three days.

The long last local anaesthetic helps to control the pain postoperatively. Heart patients rarely are sent home with pain management.

How about sleeping on your stomach? It’s not a great idea. If stomach sleeping is your preferred sleeping option, you should avoid this sleeping technique for a couple of months.

Sleeping on your stomach or chest after heart surgery will put additional pressure on the wound site and sternum.

If you move around a lot through the night when you are sleeping, you will need to know how to move. Rolling is the best method of changing position in bed. Avoid twisting your torso if possible, it’s not dangerous, but it prevents pain.

Frequently after major surgery, your torso moving causes the most anxiety. However, with pillows to prop you up and give extra comfort, there should be no need for concern.

Roll like a log, and you will be fine, it sounds easy and takes a little getting used to, but it can be done easily once you find the mechanism to initiate the move.

How do you sleep after open-heart surgery?

Are there any special ways of how to sleep after open-heart surgery? Not really, you can pretty much sleep in a position that you feel comfortable with, but most open-heart patients tend to choose back sleeping in a slightly elevated position.

A vein may have been taken from your leg to graft during the open-heart surgery. The incision on your leg is reportedly the most pain you will experience after open-heart surgery, which is a testament to how far medicine has come.

It may help you to sleep with a pillow under your ankles to keep your legs elevated. This will help to reduce any swelling you may experience around the incision.

It’s quite normal not to sleep well after open-heart surgery. Don’t stress, it’s part psychological. You have undergone major surgery.

As your strength starts to return to normal levels, you will take fewer naps during the day; fewer naps should see an increase in rest through the night.

Sleep plays a major role in how we heal, directly correlating to heart health. A healthy number of hours to sleep is 7 hours each night.

Set yourself up for healthy sleep, ditch the smartphone and laptop at your regular bedtime, keep your room cool and dark to induce sleep.

Your diet is likely to be healthy, but coffee is a big no and caffeine drinks in general. Don’t eat late in the evening, so you have a full belly around the time you sleep.

Keep your evening fluids intake to a minimum to prevent waking to use the bathroom through the night.

Is heart surgery and pacemaker surgery the same?

Heart surgery and pacemaker surgery are two different types of medical procedures. Heart surgery involves a range of procedures that are performed to treat various conditions affecting the heart. These procedures may include coronary artery bypass surgery, heart valve surgery, and surgery to repair or remove damaged heart tissue.

Pacemaker surgery, on the other hand, involves the implantation of a device called a pacemaker. A pacemaker is a small electronic device that is placed under the skin, usually in the chest area, to help regulate the heart’s rhythm. Pacemaker surgery is typically performed to treat arrhythmias, which are abnormal heart rhythms that can cause symptoms such as palpitations, dizziness, and fainting.

In summary, heart surgery and pacemaker surgery are two different types of procedures that are used to treat different conditions affecting the heart.

How to sleep after pacemaker surgery

It is normal to experience some discomfort and difficulty sleeping after pacemaker surgery. Here are a few strategies that may help:

1. Follow your healthcare provider’s instructions: Your provider will give you specific instructions on how to care for yourself after surgery, including recommendations for sleep. Follow these instructions closely.
2. Take your medications as directed: Some medications, such as painkillers, can interfere with sleep. Talk to your provider about any concerns you have with your medications and their potential impact on your sleep.
3. Create a comfortable sleep environment: A cool and dark room, a comfortable bed, and minimal noise can all help you get a better night’s sleep.
4. Engage in relaxation techniques: Deep breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, or mindfulness meditation may help you relax and fall asleep more easily.
5. Avoid screens before bed: The blue light emitted by screens can disrupt your natural sleep-wake cycle, making it harder to fall asleep. Avoid screens for at least an hour before bed.
6. Consider talking to a healthcare provider: If you are having persistent difficulty sleeping after pacemaker surgery, a healthcare provider may be able to offer additional guidance and support.

Can I sleep on my side after pacemaker surgery?

Yes, there should not be a problem sleeping on your side or in your preferred sleeping position. Your pacemaker is tough and won’t be damaged by your sleeping position.

There is no need to find a special way of how to sleep after pacemaker surgery, but some patients choose to sleep on their right side due to most pacemakers being fitted on the left-hand side.

Does a pacemaker affect your sleep quality? It’s a mixed bag report, and some say yes, and others say not. You need to understand that you were possibly feeling sleepy throughout the day before your pacemaker was fitted.

With the pacemaker fitted, your heart is now beating at the correct frequency, which should increase your energy levels.

If you are experiencing sleeping difficulties, take matters into your own hands and cut out coffee, tea and any other caffeine and sugar drinks after midday.

Avoid eating late in the evening and choose your evening meals with sleep in mind. Refrain from overeating and eating spicy foods. Eat healthy and small portions sizes for your evening meal.

Stick to a sleep routine; sleep at the same time every night of the week.

How to sleep after angioplasty

You will need to spend a day or two in bed to get over angioplasty but other than that there are no directives of how to sleep after angioplasty.

You may start to feel much better after the procedure, but there is a recovery period of around two weeks, depending on what your doctor has told you.

Can you sleep in any position? Yes, pretty much sleep the same way as you normally do. The restrictions after angioplasty are short term if the procedure was scheduled and should be adhered to.

If you have an angioplasty due to a heart attack, you could be off work for several weeks until you’re fully recovered.

Knee pain is common either from injury or degenerative diseases such as arthritis. Is it possible for you to sleep through the night if you are experiencing knee pain?

Knee pain can prevent you from sleeping, and tossing and turning to find a good position is frustrating and downright painful. Sleep on your side with a pillow between your knees. If you sleep on your back, place a pillow under your ankle and not your knee to reduce swelling, if there is any.

How should I sleep with knee pain?

It’s not easy to sleep with knee pain, and finding relief from the nagging ache or pain can be almost impossible.

Take ibuprofen before sleeping to reduce inflammation, make sure to take the dosage recommended on the container. Do not exceed the dose unless otherwise directed by a doctor or pharmacist.

If it’s just a pain or you might be trying to sleep after knee surgery, it can be a trial and error process, so you must persevere. You have established that you can get light relief from pain medication, so use it.

Often if you can drop off to sleep quickly with knee pain, you can sleep the night through.

If you sleep on your back, elevate your knee from your ankle. If you place a pillow under the knee, causing it to flex, it could potentially lock, and then you will have a bigger problem.

If you are a side sleeper, place a pillow between your legs for comfort and support. Side sleeping frequently provides the best relief for knee pain.

Is your knee inflamed (hot to the touch)? If it is, it’s not a good sign, and you need to rest the joint. As a general rule of thumb, joints are cold, and muscles are hot.

Ice the knee throughout the day, even if it’s not swollen. Icing the knee for 20 minutes 3 or 4 times a day will reduce pain. Use a clean cloth between the ice pack and the knee joint to prevent ice burns.

Why are my knees so painful at night?

Possibly because you have been standing and moving around through the day, knee pain worsens at night. 

Your body produces a natural anti-inflammatory hormone, Cortisol. Cortisol levels drop through the day and are normally at their lowest point at night as your fight or flight response is less likely to be triggered.

Another reason for increased knee pain at night is your brain perceives pain in different ways at different times of the day. When you are active during the day, your brain may perceive the pain in your knee just as a niggling injury.

At night it’s a whole different story. What was a niggling pain in the day can now seem like you have had your knee crushed.

When sleeping in bed, use pillows to your advantage for pain relief, but don’t try to cross your legs across the centerline of your body. This causes ligaments to stretch and may make the sensation of pain worse.

How do I know if my knee pain is serious?

If you have significant swelling, you find it hard to bear any weight on your leg. If you have a fever, you cannot flex your leg normally, and finally, if you have a deformity on your knee, it looks very different from normal.

If this is you, head to the emergency room without delay.

Will knee pain reduce after sleeping?

It is possible that knee pain may improve after sleeping, as the rest and relaxation during sleep can help reduce inflammation and swelling.

However, it is important to note that the cause of knee pain can vary, and the degree to which it improves after sleep will depend on the specific cause of the pain.

If your knee pain persists or is severe, it is important to speak with a healthcare provider for further evaluation and treatment.

Will you experience pain after uterus surgery preventing you from being able to sleep? If sleep is an essential part of healing, how can I sleep comfortably after uterus surgery?

Finding the best way to sleep after uterus surgery is more to do with individual comfort, so experiment within limits to find the best sleeping position for you. You will be able to sleep on your back or side. With strategically placed pillows, you can relieve some pain and enjoy a restful night’s sleep.

Sleeping after uterus surgery can be challenging due to discomfort and the need to follow specific post-surgery instructions. Here are a few strategies that may help you get a better night’s sleep:

1. Follow your healthcare provider’s instructions: Your provider will give you specific instructions on how to care for yourself after surgery, including recommendations for sleep. Follow these instructions closely.
2. Take your medications as directed: Some medications, such as painkillers, can interfere with sleep. Talk to your provider about any concerns you have with your medications and their potential impact on your sleep.
3. Create a comfortable sleep environment: A cool and dark room, a comfortable bed, and minimal noise can all help you get a better night’s sleep.
4. Engage in relaxation techniques: Deep breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, or mindfulness meditation may help you relax and fall asleep more easily.
5. Avoid screens before bed: The blue light emitted by screens can disrupt your natural sleep-wake cycle, making it harder to fall asleep. Avoid screens for at least an hour before bed.
6. Consider talking to a healthcare provider: If you are having persistent difficulty sleeping after uterus surgery, a healthcare provider may be able to offer additional guidance and support.

How to sleep after a hysterectomy

Many females in their 40s find themselves with uterus problems, and eventually, a hysterectomy is needed to reinstate an everyday life free from pelvic pain and excessive bleeding during periods.

Because sleep is an essential part of the healing process, learning how to sleep after a hysterectomy is crucial to the speed of your recovery.

Most women find that sleeping on their back or side is acceptable in pain and getting uninterrupted sleep. Of course, you will be using the pain management that your doctor prescribed.

A hysterectomy is a major surgery, and finding the best way to sleep well is essential for your recovery. Using strategically placed pillows tucked under your belly for support as you sleep on your side can relieve some of the pain you may be experiencing.

If you sleep on your back then place a pillow under your knees. By placing a pillow under your knees you will force your lower back into the mattress.

When your back is flat against the mattress, the tension is removed from your stomach muscles and pelvic floor, you will be able to sleep better.

It’s the perfect position to allow you to pump your calf muscles and improve circulation.

Can I sleep on my side after laparoscopic hysterectomy surgery?

After laparoscopic surgery, finding a position to sleep in may not be as challenging as you anticipate.

Sleeping helps with the healing process, so finding out how to sleep after laparoscopic hysterectomy is as important to your healing process as your medications.

Sleeping on your side may be the perfect solution for getting a good night’s sleep after a laparoscopic hysterectomy.

Side sleeping helps relieve painful intestinal gasses that can be very uncomfortable after a hysterectomy.

Use pillows for support. Most of us always sleep with a pillow to support our heads and neck. After surgery, try not to lose focus on your head and neck support. Let’s start at your head and work down in sequence.

The idea is to make your whole body comfortable to drift off to sleep quickly after surgery.

While lying on your side, place a fluffy pillow under your abdomen to prevent your tummy from sagging and pulling on the wound site.

This is a comfortable way to sleep and will provide you with some comfort and security as the pillow will prevent you from rolling onto your tummy.

Next, tackle a pillow and place it longways between your legs. This will align your spine and take any pressure off your pelvis.

Both back sleeping and side sleeping is suitable if you have had abdomen laparoscopic surgery and also vaginal hysterectomy.

What is the best position to sleep after fibroid surgery?

Establishing early how to sleep after fibroid surgery is essential to enable the recovery process to start after surgery.

Your surgeon will recommend sleeping on your side or your back. If you are a stomach sleeper, you will have to change your sleeping position as stomach sleeping will be prohibited during the healing process.

While sleeping on your side, make good use of soft supportive pillows. First, support your head and neck to ensure you sleep well. Also, place a soft pillow next to your tummy and gently push the pillow under the tummy for support.

This will take the tension off the wound site and alleviate some of the discomfort experienced as you try to sleep.

Place a pillow lengthways between your legs, so your thighs, knees and ankles are supported. This pillow will align your spine and support your pelvis.

You will be allowed to sleep on your back if you find this more comfortable. Again use pillows for good purposes to relieve pain.

Place a couple of soft pillows under your knees; this will force the small of your back into the mattress and take the strain off your stomach muscles and pelvis.

Both positions will allow you to get a decent night’s sleep using pain medication.

In all cases, after abdomen surgery sleeping on your stomach will be prohibited for obvious reasons. So if you are a stomach sleeper, your best option is to sleep on your side with your tummy supported by a soft, supportive pillow.

When can I sleep on my side after ovary removal?

Having your ovary removed is a serious operation, and you will need to find the best way to sleep after ovary removal.

In essence, you are limited for a period of 4 weeks to sleep on your back, so it’s important to know how to make the most of this sleeping position.

Use two soft pillows under your knees to take the pressure off your back and pelvis; this will give you the best possible sleeping position for the 4 week recovery period.

How long do you have to sleep sitting up after jaw surgery?

4 weeks. Sleeping in an elevated position can be comfortable, but you must learn how to sleep after jaw surgery.

Your head needs to be above your heart to allow the swelling to reduce in your jaw. Lying on your back in an elevated position may sound like a nightmare, but using pillows can be an ok way to sleep.

Take the pressure off your back by placing two pillows under your knees. You will find this comfortable.

Use pillows to prevent you from rolling onto your side during recovery.

Is it possible to find a way of sleeping that will let you breathe effortlessly after a nose job? Does sleeping on your side cause a problem after surgery on your nose?

After a nose job, sleep in an elevated position to reduce swelling and prevent congestion. Side sleeping is not recommended. For the first few days following nose job surgery, try to maintain a 45-degree angle with wedge pillows found in orthopedic stores.

How long do you sleep upright after rhinoplasty?

It is a daunting prospect to find out how to sleep after nose surgery. The swelling around the nose and eyes can be excessive and quite painful, not to mention off-putting to see yourself in this condition.

However, the best way to sleep is in an elevated position. Avoid sleeping on your side. It will only lengthen your recovery time.

Sleeping after rhinoplasty is recognized as complex, so doctors recommend that you sleep in an upright position for a minimum of 7 days.

After 7 days, your doctor will advise you on how to sleep in the coming weeks, depending on your recovery progress.

Sleeping upright reduces the swelling and pressure on the nose after surgery, so draining the fluids using gravity is the best solution for healing quickly.

You will be unlikely to breathe through your nasal passages after rhinoplasty. This will be due to packing to stem bleeding and swelling being experienced.

The best way to maintain sleeping upright is to use an orthopedic wedge. The wedges come in different angles and are used together to find the correct upright position for you to sleep in.

Use ice packs

With your pain management medication, use ice packs to reduce the swelling around your nose. 

Keep a piece of surgical lint between the ice pack and your skin to prevent ice burns, and your doctor will advise you how to use ice packs.

Avoid caffeine

Although there is nothing to prohibit you from drinking coffee or tea after a nose job, caffeine will keep you awake when it is vital that you rest as much as possible and preferably sleep through the night.

So, the process is relatively easy to learn how to sleep after a nose job, just sleep upright.

When can I sleep lying down after rhinoplasty?

Ultimately, this will be your doctor’s decision, but as a rule of thumb, 7 to 10 days should be the amount of time it takes for the swelling to subside completely and for your nasal passages to be clear.

Can I yawn after rhinoplasty?

It’s a great question. You should not yawn after rhinoplasty or open your mouth wide.

It may seem almost impossible not to yawn when you feel it coming on, but a yawn can stretch the nasal passages and possibly put a strain on stitches or even cause them to dislodge.

It’s not just yawning. You need to be cautious of, and when you brush your teeth, you will be advised to use a baby brush to prevent you from opening your mouth wide.

How long does a non-surgical nose job take to settle?

Non-surgical nose jobs are becoming quite popular, and for a good reason, the downtime is far less than conventional nose surgery, and the pain and swelling only last for a couple of days.

Nevertheless, the age-old question of sleeping after a nonsurgical nose job comes to the forefront.

It may be true that having non-surgical surgery is a lot simpler. There is always a risk of the nasal passage closing within a short time after surgery.

So like conventional rhinoplasty, you will need to sleep in an elevated position, preferably 45 degrees.

Is this comfortable to sleep at this angle? After nose surgery of any kind, you will find the benefits of sleeping elevated is the speed you recover from the surgery.

Unlike a conventional nose job with a nonsurgical procedure, you will only need to sleep in this position for a few nights. Still, if you can manage more nights, it is advisable to persevere until all the swelling has dissipated.

Can I sleep on my side after a non-surgical rhinoplasty?

No, not immediately. After non-surgical rhinoplasty, your doctor will advise you to sleep upright.

Sleeping on your side will increase pressure in your nose and increase the potential for swelling.

If you have had fillers as part of your nonsurgical nose jobs, the fillers may migrate, affecting the desired result.

The only way is upright. 

It may sound like a difficult way to sleep, but with orthopedic wedges that are available online, you can support your back in an upright position and still get a reasonably good night’s sleep.

Can you lay down after a nosebleed?

Nosebleeds come in all shapes and sizes, from a minute amount of blood to a disturbing heavy continuous flow.

Often you never really get to the bottom of your nose bleeds, especially if they are infrequent. They become one of life’s little hassles that we live with.

Your nose bleed could be caused by an allergy or dry air in your bedroom, or there could be an underlying illness that needs to be treated.

If you have a nose bleed at night or even while in bed then you need to know how to sleep after a nosebleed.

Clearly, make sure your nose bleed has stopped before you attempt to go back to sleep. Elevate your pillow and ensure your head is elevated to have clear airways.

Avoid blowing your nose, and this may trigger another nose bleed. You can use saline in your nose or a little nasal gel to keep your nose lubricated and prevent the blood from becoming congested with blood.

If your nose bleeds become frequent, then it’s worth seeing a doctor for a preliminary examination and advice on how to prevent the nose bleeds.

Joint surgery can be a daunting prospect for most of us, and postoperative procedures can be equally as daunting. Are you concerned about the level of fatigue you may feel, and are you going to be able to sleep?

 Use the pain management prescribed by the doctor, set your alarm not to miss, then prescribe between pills. Sleep on your back with a pillow between your knees. You can sleep on your non-surgical side but don’t cross the surgical leg over the centerline of your body.

What’s the best sleeping position after hip surgery?

On your back! It makes sense that the best sleeping position will be on your back, but if you need to sleep on your side, you can sleep on the non-surgical side.

Finding the best way to sleep after right hip replacement surgery will include taking your pain killers to help with the healing process. Sleep is an essential part of the healing process, so it’s in your interest to find the best possible way.

Sleep on your back with a pillow between your knees, do not cross the right leg over the body’s centerline. This may cause pain and stress in the joint.

Sleeping after a hip replacement can be a problematic process, but it is easily manageable when combined with pain relief.

Is it difficult to sleep after femur surgery?

The femur is the strongest bone in your body. If it’s been broken, then sleeping can be challenging.

How do you sleep after a broken femur surgery? This is similar to hip surgery, except you are confined to sleeping on your back for a longer time.

Sleep with pillows between your legs to prevent you from inadvertently trying to cross your legs or sleep on your side. Take pain meds as prescribed.

Is it hard to sleep after hamstring surgery?

You will be given meds to help you sleep after hamstring surgery, but you will need to follow the instructions on how to sleep after hamstring surgery.

Your leg will be strapped rigid, so the best option is to sleep on your back and take painkillers and anti-inflammatory meds. Hamstring surgery can be painful, and you will be given many meds to take at different junctures through your recovery period.

You will find it impossible to find any other sleeping position than on your back, so it’s a case of grin and bear it until you get some movement.

Sitting is permitted provided you can find a comfortable position because you are bound up so tightly you may be able to find a sleeping position that is best for you.

The key to most leg and hip surgeries is not to stress the wounds, which will slow the healing process down.

Unfortunately, you may lose your appetite due to stress and fatigue after surgery. However, you must maintain a diet high in proteins to assist the healing process.

Most wisdom teeth removals are painful, but it’s not the extraction surgery that’s worrisome. That’s the easy part.

Most people in the recovery process can find it hard to sleep, with little choice but to endure it. But this guide should help with that!

To sleep after wisdom teeth removal, take the prescribed pain medication, remove any breathing obstructions, such as gauze, to help prevent bleeding. Sleep on your back in an elevated position, with 3 to 4 pillows to lift your head if needed.

Let’s answer your questions.

Why Is it So Painful?

Even with the very best and most experienced dentist in the universe, the extraction site is tender, if not painful, due to the roots of the wisdom teeth being firmly rooted to the bone.

The dentist’s job is to remove the teeth from the surrounding tissue and bone without causing damage.

The latter is impossible, and as a consequence, the bone and soft tissue get pulled and yanked around, resulting in the pain or tenderness we experience after this procedure.

How Is It Possible To Sleep With A Swollen Face and Pain?

You can do some things to minimize the pain you are feeling and get a decent night’s sleep. 

There can be some minor complications when it comes to sleeping.

Pain swelling leaking blood from the site of the wound would contribute to the complications you may have.

Generally, the blood issue subsides quickly as your blood platelets kick into action and coagulate any blood flow.

Swelling can be a bigger issue as it takes time to reduce. In addition to the swelling, you may have some bruising starting to show a couple of days later.

Following the instructions of your dental surgeon is the starting palace. He may have given you a course of antibiotics and painkillers to manage the pain and use a prophylactic to prevent any infection from setting in.

Sleeping Position and Preparing for Bed

Depending on the severity of your reaction to the procedure, you may find the best option is to try and sleep upright for the first night.

Sleeping upright will help any fluids and swelling dissipate. Furthermore, it is imperative to remove any gauze from the dentist’s mouth to help prevent bleeding.

If you are ready to sleep, remove anything that could be a choking hazard.

Pain medication

Your dental surgeon will have prescribed pain killers, knowing you may need them in the first twenty-four hours after surgery.

Take the prescribed medicine as stated on the bottle. Taking the correct dosage is essential even if the anesthesia has still not entirely worn off.

Pain medication will also help you sleep through the night.

Keep Hydrated

Allowing your mouth to become dry will likely be more uncomfortable for you. Drinking cool water or as cold as you can handle will help to hydrate your mouth, and the cold will reduce some of the swellings.

Avoid hot drinks. Hot drinks could irritate the wound site. The same goes for hot foods. The best foods to eat in the first two days are ice creams and cold yogurts.

Ice Pack

Don’t be worried about applying an ice pack or two to the swollen area of your jaw. It will reduce swelling and inflammation.

Hot and cold compresses can work well and reduce swelling fast. If you find it acceptable, give it a try.

Don’t Brush Your teeth

On this occasion, you will be forgiven for not brushing your teeth before bedtime. It’s important not to aggravate the surgical site and cause any further bleeding.

If you do find the urge to brush your teeth, keep clear of the surgical site. Should you dislodge a blood clot, you can add some pain.

Sometimes bleeding from the gums can seem excessive, but it’s nothing to worry about in most cases.

You Are Ready to Sleep

You may feel the need to sleep upright for the first night, which is normal and will help with inflammation and swelling.

This is an ideal sleeping position if you can recline slightly in a chair with your head back to keep your airways free.

If you feel it’s impossible to sleep in a chair, then elevate your bed pillows, maybe as many as four pillows, to keep you in a position suited for the surgical procedure you underwent.

Although they look inviting and comfortable, Fluffy pillows are not always the best pillows for support and comfort.

If you have a memory foam pillow set, these will work much better as you can support your head and neck.

It is essential to have an upright position and lay on your back. Side sleeping will be painful and may cause the wound site to bleed while you sleep.

Avoid sleeping on a slippers pillow protector. You may decide to put a toweling pillow protector cover to prevent any blood leakage on expensive bed covers.

Keep The Bedroom Cool

A cool bedroom will help you sleep better. A room at 64.4F is the ideal temperature for a good night’s sleep.

Like many of us, if you wake in the night, take advantage of this time to top up your pain killers as prescribed.

Remember, a hydrated mouth will also help with the healing process.

A dark room always enhances the sleep process, keep your cell phone switched off, or at the very least face down. The blue light from a cell phone is similar to the wavelengths emitted from the sun. The light will wake you when you need to rest most.

Reduce Stress

After a traumatic experience, we feel relieved the procedure is over and done with, but the stress and anxiety of the day can stay with you.

Studies show that aromatherapy oils are perfect for reducing stress. Lavender oil is known to enhance sleep. You may want to use a few drops of lavender or your favorite essential oil to ensure you drop off to sleep quickly in a stress-free environment.

You can use cotton balls with the oil-soaked cotton and place where you get the most aroma that suits you best.

Candle burners are out of the question in a bedroom and potentially very dangerous, don’t use them.

Listen to Soothing Music

Your favorite music through headphones at a lower level will reduce stress levels and is an excellent way to fall asleep.

Slow music with a beat that emulates your heart rhythm works wonders when drifting off to sleep.

Genres such as classical and folk music are said to be the best for relaxation and sleep.

You may wish to listen to an audiobook. That’s always a great way to unwind after a stressful day in dental surgery.

Other Great Tips

If you are an exercise enthusiast, avoid exercise for at least forty-eight hours after having wisdom teeth removed. Exercise will increase your blood pressure and cause additional pain and bleeding from the surgical site.

Rest is key to a fast recovery, and aggravating the surgical site in any way will only extend the recovery time.

Avoid drinking with straws or anything that causes a sucking action. Although using a straw may seem harmless, it introduces pressure to the wound site and can cause bleeding.

Why is this important to you?

Dislodging blood clots can cause the extraction socket to become dry. When this happens, patients experience a dull throbbing ache from the wound site—resulting in more discomfort and downtime from their daily routines.

How Long Before I Recover

There is no set time, but as a rule of thumb, recovery takes a while, but you should be pain-free within three to four days.

We are all different and heal at different rates. If you are young, then expect to be back to your routine quickly. If you are a little older, the process of healing will take longer.

If you have persistent pain, check back in with your dentist, there may be something that needs checking, or an infection may be setting in.

Your dentist will have the skills to rectify the situation and get you back to normal as quickly as possible.

Bottom Line

Recovery after wisdom teeth removal is about rest. If you can rest well and sleep, then your recovery time will be shortened.

Sleeping in an elevated position may seem alien to you, but, in all honesty, it’s not the wrong way to sleep. With great pillows for support and a cool room, you will fall asleep in no time.