Recovering from wisdom teeth removal can take time, but knowing what to expect during the healing process can help you manage your recovery and avoid complications. Whether you're having one or all four wisdom teeth removed, the recovery process generally follows a predictable timeline, though it can vary depending on factors such as the complexity of the extraction, your age, and your overall health.
In this guide, we’ll break down the wisdom teeth removal recovery timeline, provide tips for managing pain and swelling, and offer advice on how to care for your mouth at each stage of recovery.
Wisdom Teeth Removal Recovery: The First 24 Hours
The first 24 hours after wisdom teeth removal are the most critical, and you’ll likely experience the most swelling, bleeding, and discomfort during this period. Here’s what to expect:
What to Expect:
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Bleeding: It’s normal to experience some bleeding immediately after the procedure. Your dentist or oral surgeon will place gauze over the extraction sites to help control bleeding. Bite down gently on the gauze to apply pressure and help stop the bleeding. This bleeding should decrease over the first few hours.
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Swelling: Swelling around your cheeks, jaw, and mouth is common and will likely begin within the first few hours. The swelling can peak at around 24 to 48 hours post-surgery.
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Discomfort: You may experience some discomfort or pain as the anesthesia wears off. This is typically manageable with prescribed pain medication or over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen or acetaminophen.
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Nausea: Some patients experience nausea due to the anesthesia or pain medication, so it’s important to follow your dentist’s instructions for taking medications with food.
How to Care for Your Mouth:
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Rest: Take it easy during the first 24 hours. Avoid any strenuous activity or exercise.
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Apply Ice: Use an ice pack or cold compress on your face for 15–20 minutes at a time to help reduce swelling.
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Elevate Your Head: Keep your head elevated with pillows when lying down to minimize swelling.
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Avoid Sucking and Spitting: Don’t suck on straws or spit forcefully, as this can dislodge the blood clot and lead to dry socket, a painful condition.
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Eat Soft Foods: Stick to soft, cool foods like yogurt, mashed potatoes, and smoothies during the first day. Avoid hot, spicy, or crunchy foods that could irritate your extraction sites.
Day 2 to 3: Swelling and Pain Peaks
Swelling and discomfort will likely peak within 48 to 72 hours after the extraction. This is when you may experience the most intense pain and swelling, but it will start to improve after this period.
What to Expect:
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Swelling: Swelling typically worsens for the first 48 hours before starting to subside. Swelling may extend to your cheeks and jaw.
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Pain: Pain or discomfort should begin to improve after the first couple of days, though it’s normal to feel some tenderness around the extraction sites.
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Bruising: You may notice some bruising on your cheeks or jaw as the body absorbs the blood from the extraction site.
How to Care for Your Mouth:
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Continue Cold Compress: Apply cold compresses to your face for 15–20 minutes at a time, several times a day, to help reduce swelling.
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Pain Medication: Continue taking prescribed pain relievers or over-the-counter medication as directed by your dentist or oral surgeon.
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Saltwater Rinses: After 24 hours, gently rinse your mouth with warm salt water (1/2 teaspoon of salt in 8 ounces of water) to help clean the area and reduce bacteria. Be gentle to avoid dislodging the blood clot.
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Avoid Smoking: If you smoke, avoid it during the recovery period. Smoking can increase the risk of complications, including dry socket.
Day 4 to 7: Recovery and Improvement
After the initial swelling and discomfort peak, you should start to notice improvement. By the end of the first week, you’ll likely be feeling much better, but you may still have some lingering tenderness or discomfort.
What to Expect:
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Swelling: Swelling should begin to decrease, although it may still be noticeable in the first few days of the second week.
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Pain: Pain should decrease significantly. If you still have discomfort, over-the-counter pain relievers should be sufficient to manage it.
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Healing: The gum tissue around the extraction sites will start to heal, but the deeper tissues (bone and sockets) will take longer to fully heal.
How to Care for Your Mouth:
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Continue Saltwater Rinses: Continue rinsing with warm salt water 2-3 times per day to keep the extraction site clean.
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Soft Diet: Stick to soft foods, but you can begin introducing more solid foods as you feel comfortable. Avoid hard, crunchy, or sticky foods.
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Maintain Oral Hygiene: Brush your teeth carefully around the extraction sites, but be gentle to avoid irritating the healing areas.
Week 2: Gradual Healing and Reduced Symptoms
By the second week, most of the initial discomfort, swelling, and bruising will have subsided. However, healing is still ongoing, especially inside the extraction site.
What to Expect:
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Reduced Swelling and Pain: Swelling and pain should be minimal, and you should be able to resume normal activities. However, some people still experience mild discomfort or tenderness around the extraction site.
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Gum Healing: The gums will begin to close over the extraction site, but it’s still important to avoid any actions that might disturb the healing area.
How to Care for Your Mouth:
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Continue Rinsing: Continue with gentle saltwater rinses to aid in cleaning and healing.
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Soft Foods: You can gradually return to a normal diet, but avoid very hard or chewy foods until you’re fully healed.
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Gentle Brushing: Resume regular brushing, but continue to be careful around the extraction sites.
Week 3 to 4: Final Stages of Healing
By the third and fourth weeks, your body should be well on its way to full recovery, but healing inside the sockets can still be occurring.
What to Expect:
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Complete Healing: Most of the pain, swelling, and bruising will have completely disappeared, but the extraction sites may still feel tender to the touch.
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Full Recovery: Complete recovery, including the healing of the bone, can take several months, but by week 3 or 4, you should be feeling like yourself again.
How to Care for Your Mouth:
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Return to Normal Diet: You can now eat a regular diet, but continue to avoid foods that could irritate the extraction sites, such as very hard or sticky foods.
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Follow-Up Appointment: Your dentist or oral surgeon may schedule a follow-up appointment to check on your healing progress. If you had stitches, they may be removed at this time.
Long-Term Healing: 3 to 6 Months
While most people feel fully recovered within 3-4 weeks, it can take up to 6 months for the bone where the wisdom teeth were removed to fully heal. It’s important to keep up with regular dental checkups during this time.
What to Expect:
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Bone Healing: The bone where your wisdom teeth were removed will gradually fill in over time, but full healing of the bone can take several months.
How to Care for Your Mouth:
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Regular Checkups: Continue seeing your dentist for routine checkups and cleanings. Your dentist will monitor your healing progress to ensure there are no complications.
The wisdom teeth removal recovery timeline typically spans a few weeks, with the most intense discomfort occurring during the first 3 to 5 days. By the end of the first week, most of the pain, swelling, and bruising should significantly improve. Full recovery, including the healing of the bone, can take several months, but with proper care, most people make a full recovery without complications.
To ensure a smooth recovery, be sure to follow your dentist’s or oral surgeon’s instructions closely, including recommendations for pain management, diet, and oral hygiene. If you experience any unusual symptoms, such as persistent pain, fever, or heavy bleeding, contact your dentist right away.
For more information on wisdom teeth removal and post-surgery care, check out our post on what to expect during wisdom teeth removal!