Your Recovery Guide to Wisdom Teeth Removal and other Dental Extractions

Recovery time from dental extractions is typically 7-10 days. Most patients experience the greatest amount of discomfort and/or swelling approximately 3-4 days after surgery before gradually improving. Because every patient heals differently, your recovery may not follow an exact timeline. It is important to follow the post-op care instructions provided for your specific procedure to ensure the smoothest possible recovery. This guide outlines what to expect during recovery and provides instructions to help you heal comfortably and avoid complications.

Day of Surgery & First 48 Hours

Bleeding

Some bleeding is normal during the first 24 hours after surgery, although your saliva may appear pink or blood-tinged for 1-2 days. Change the gauze every hour as needed until the bleeding stops. Do not eat or sleep with gauze in your mouth.

Excessive bleeding can be controlled by biting on a wet tea bag (regular black tea). If bleeding remains heavy or uncontrolled, please contact our office for further instructions.

Swelling

Swelling is a normal part of the healing process after surgery. To help minimize swelling, apply an ice pack to the outside of your face for 20 minutes on and 20 minutes off during the first 24 hours after your procedure. Swelling usually peaks within 48–72 hours and then gradually begins to improve.

Pain Management

Begin taking pain medication before the local anesthetic wears off. It is much more effective to “stay out of pain” than “get out of pain”.

Start by taking ibuprofen (600-800mg).

If you continue to experience discomfort, take acetaminophen (Tylenol) 650 mg. Alternating or combining ibuprofen and acetaminophen often provides excellent pain relief without needing stronger medication.

If pain becomes severe and is not adequately controlled with ibuprofen and acetaminophen, you may begin taking the stronger pain medication prescribed by your doctor (such as hydrocodone/acetaminophen, oxycodone/acetaminophen, Tylenol® #3, or tramadol).

Important: Do not take additional acetaminophen (Tylenol) while taking hydrocodone/acetaminophen, oxycodone/acetaminophen, or Tylenol® #3, as these medications already contain acetaminophen. Taking too much acetaminophen can be harmful. Do not exceed 4,000 mg of acetaminophen in a 24-hour period.

Diet

You may eat and drink as soon as you leave our office. Because your mouth will remain numb for approximately 2–6 hours, avoid hot foods and beverages, and choose foods that require little to no chewing until the numbness has worn off.

There are no strict dietary restrictions following most extractions. However, many patients find it more comfortable to eat softer foods during the first few days as the area heals.

Maintaining your normal food and fluid intake is important for recovery. Staying well-hydrated and eating nutritious meals can help promote healing and reduce the risk of complications.

See our list of what to eat after a tooth extraction

If any areas of mouth are still numb:

  • Apple sauce or other pureed fruit
  • Plain ice cream, smoothies or shakes (plain, no fruit chunks or nuts)
  • Yogurt
  • Mashed potatoes or other vegetables (warm temperature)
  • Blended Soup (warm temperature)
  • Jello
  • Oatmeal/cream of wheat

After numbing has worn off completely:

  • Pancakes
  • Eggs
  • Noodles
  • Macaroni and cheese
  • Pasta
  • Meatloaf

You will quickly learn which foods are easiest to chew and, if necessary, flush from the lower extraction sites. Foods that break into small pieces—such as nuts, berries, rice, corn, popcorn, and broccoli—can be more difficult to remove from the sockets. While these foods are not prohibited, debris that remains trapped in the extraction sites can contribute to increased pain, swelling, delayed healing, and, in some cases, infection. Be sure to clean the sites thoroughly after eating.

Keeping the Extraction Sites Clean

Brush your teeth as usual but avoid brushing directly on the extraction site. If sutures are placed, you will be informed at the time of your procedure.

If upper teeth were removed, begin gentle saltwater rinses (similar to rinsing with regular mouthwash) after meals and before bedtime.

If lower teeth were removed, you will be provided with a syringe after your procedure to keep the extraction sites clean from debris after every meal. This needs to be done in addition to rinsing twice a day (similar to rinsing with regular mouthwash). Use your prescribed rinse (chlorhexidine 0.12%) during the first week, then switch to warm saltwater for the remainder of healing.

How to clean: Gently place the syringe tip inside the socket to flush out any debris, and repeat this method until you have completely cleared out the sites. Mild bleeding or tenderness is normal, especially when applying more pressure for tougher foods. Begin rinsing the night of your surgery and continue this routine until food no longer collects in the extraction sites, which can take approximately 4-8 weeks. Keeping the sockets free of food and debris is one of the most important factors in reducing pain, swelling, and delayed healing during recovery.

Continued Healing

Jaw Stiffness

You may notice difficulty opening your mouth fully for several days after surgery due to temporary stiffness of the jaw muscles. This is normal and should gradually improve as healing progresses. Gentle jaw stretching exercises can help relieve tightness and restore normal movement.

Medications

If antibiotics or other medications were prescribed, take them as directed. Unless specifically instructed otherwise, continue taking your regular medications as prescribed. If you experience an allergic reaction or have questions about any medication, please contact our office.

Activity

Avoid strenuous physical activity for 48 hours after your procedure, including exercise, running, surfing, heavy lifting, and sports. Increased activity can raise your blood pressure and may lead to increased swelling, discomfort, or bleeding.

After 48 hours, you may gradually return to your normal activities as tolerated.

Wearing Your Prosthesis

Orthodontic trays (e.g. Invisalign®) or retainers, dentures, nightguards, and other removable appliances may be worn as usual unless otherwise instructed by your doctor.

When to Contact Us