Getting your wisdom teeth removed is a common procedure, but proper aftercare is crucial for a smooth recovery. The healing process can take one to two weeks, depending on the complexity of the extraction, overall oral health, age, and how many wisdom teeth are removed. However, knowing what to do—and what to avoid—can make all the difference in preventing serious complications like a dry socket or infection. If you’ve just had your wisdom teeth extracted, here’s everything you need to know about post-extraction care.
What You Should Do for a Smooth Recovery
Recovering from wisdom tooth extraction requires patience and proper care to avoid complications such as dry sockets, infection, or excessive bleeding. Following the right aftercare steps will help promote healing, reduce swelling, and minimise pain. Below are key recommendations to ensure a successful recovery.
1. Manage Pain and Swelling the Right Way
It’s normal to experience pain, swelling, and mild discomfort after having your wisdom teeth removed, especially in the first three to four days. To keep pain under control:
- Apply Cold Compress: Placing a cold compress on the outside of your cheek in 20-minute intervals, with 20 minutes of rest in between, during the first 24–48 hours, can help minimise swelling and alleviate pain. To prevent skin irritation, always wrap the compress in a cloth before applying it.
- Take Prescribed Medications: Your dentist may recommend pain relievers like ibuprofen or paracetamol. If stronger painkillers are prescribed, take them exactly as directed.
- Rest and Elevate Your Head: Keeping your head elevated while lying down helps reduce swelling and encourages proper blood flow to the surgical site. Use an extra pillow to prop yourself up while sleeping.
- Track Pain Levels: If discomfort from wisdom teeth removal continues beyond the third or fourth day or if swelling worsens instead of improving, seek immediate advice from your dentist, as this could signal an infection or other complications.
2. Keep Your Mouth Clean – But Gently
Maintaining oral hygiene is crucial in preventing infection, but you need to be gentle around the extraction site to avoid disrupting the blood clot. Here’s how to clean your mouth properly:
- Wait 24 Hours Before Rinsing: Avoid rinsing your mouth for the first 24 hours to allow the blood clot to form properly.
- Mild Salt Water Rinses: Starting the day after surgery, gently rinse your mouth with warm salt water (one teaspoon of salt in a glass of warm water) multiple times a day, particularly after eating. This helps reduce infection risk and supports the healing process.
- Avoid Vigorous Spitting or Swishing: Forceful movements can dislodge the blood clot, causing a dry socket, a painful condition that delays healing. Instead, gently rinse and let the water trickle out of your mouth.
- Brush Carefully: You can brush your teeth, but avoid the surgical site to prevent irritation. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and avoid commercial mouthwashes that contain alcohol, as these can irritate gum tissue.
3. Stick to a Soft Food Diet
After wisdom teeth removal, your mouth will be sensitive, and eating hard or chewy foods can be painful and disrupt healing. Following a soft food diet for one to two weeks is advised to prevent irritation to the extraction site and support the healing process.
Here are some of the best wisdom teeth recovery food choices:
- Mashed potatoes: Soft, easy to eat, and rich in energy.
- Yoghurt: Provides probiotics for gut health and is soothing to the mouth.
- Blended soups: Nutritious and hydrating without requiring much chewing.
- Scrambled eggs: A great source of protein that’s easy to eat.
- Smoothies: A highly nutritious meal choice, but be sure to avoid using a straw, as the suction may disrupt the blood clot and hinder healing.
- Soft pasta or oatmeal: Gentle on the surgical site while providing necessary carbohydrates.
Avoid spicy foods, crunchy foods, acidic fruits, and carbonated beverages, as these can irritate the gum tissue and cause discomfort.
4. Take It Easy for At Least a Week
Rest is vital for a speedy recovery. Engaging in physical activity too soon after oral surgery can increase blood pressure, leading to excessive bleeding or swelling.
- Limit Physical Activity: Avoid intense workouts, heavy lifting, and strenuous movements for at least a week after surgical removal. Light walking is fine, but avoid anything that makes your heart rate rise significantly.
- Listen to Your Body: If you feel weak or dizzy, this could be a sign that you need more rest, fluids, or proper nutrition. Give yourself time to heal.
- Avoid Bending Over or Lying Flat: These positions can cause more blood flow to the extraction site, increasing swelling and discomfort. Keep your head elevated, even when resting.
5. Stay Hydrated, but Avoid Straws
Drinking fluids is crucial to prevent dehydration and aid healing, but using straws can be dangerous. The suction movement can pull out the blood clot, increasing the risk of a dry socket.
- Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated.
- Avoid carbonated beverages, alcohol, and caffeine for at least a few days, as they can irritate the wound.
- If drinking smoothies, use a spoon instead of a straw to avoid complications.
6. Get Plenty of Rest
Your body heals best when well-rested. Ensure you get enough sleep and downtime to aid the recovery process.
- Sleep With Your Head Elevated: Use pillows to keep your head slightly raised while sleeping. This reduces swelling and promotes healing.
- Avoid Sleeping on Your Side: Sleeping on the side where your wisdom teeth were extracted can increase pressure and discomfort. Try to sleep on your back instead.
- Take Breaks From Talking Too Much: Excessive talking, chewing, or laughing can strain the gum tissue and delay healing.
7. Monitor Your Healing Progress
Recovery time varies for each person, but most people heal within one to two weeks. Here’s what to watch for:
- Mild pain and swelling in the first three to four days is normal.
- Slight bleeding for the first 24 hours is expected but should gradually stop.
- Severe pain, swelling, or bleeding that worsens after three days may indicate an infection or dry socket.
- Persistent pain beyond a week should be checked by your dentist.
- Signs of infection, including difficulty breathing, fever, or pus, require immediate medical attention.
What to Avoid After Wisdom Teeth Removal
Proper aftercare is mandatory for a smooth recovery after wisdom tooth extraction. Avoiding harmful habits and foods can prevent complications like dry sockets, infection, and prolonged pain. Here’s what you should steer clear of during the healing process.
1. Don’t Eat Hard, Crunchy, or Chewy Foods
Your extraction site will be sensitive for one to two weeks, so eating the wrong foods can cause irritation, pain, and even damage the blood clot. Avoid:
- Crunchy foods like chips, popcorn, and nuts
- Hard foods such as raw vegetables, crusty bread, and hard candies
- Chewy foods like steak, gum, and toffee
Instead, stick to a soft food diet, including mashed potatoes, yoghurt, and blended soups, to aid the recovery process.
2. Avoid Spicy and Acidic Foods
While some people love spice, spicy foods can irritate gum tissue and increase discomfort. Likewise, acidic foods such as citrus fruits and vinegar-based dressings can irritate the surgical site, leading to pain and inflammation. It is advisable to avoid these foods for at least a week to support proper healing.
3. Avoid Smoking and Tobacco Use
Smoking is one of the worst things you can do after wisdom teeth removal. It delays healing, increases infection risk, and raises the likelihood of a dry socket.
- The suction action from smoking can dislodge the blood clot, leading to severe pain.
- Tobacco introduces harmful chemicals that irritate the wound and slow the healing process.
- If you must smoke, wait at least 72 hours, but ideally, avoid it entirely during recovery.
4. Do Not Drink Alcohol
Drinking alcohol after a wisdom tooth extraction can interfere with prescribed medications and slow healing. Alcohol also increases swelling and irritation at the surgical site, making the recovery process more uncomfortable. Wait at least a week before consuming alcoholic beverages.
5. Avoid Using Straws or Sipping Beverages Forcefully
Suction is the enemy of healing after a wisdom tooth extraction. Drinking through a straw can pull the blood clot from the socket, leading to a dry socket, a painful complication that can delay healing.
Instead, sip drinks gently from a cup and avoid using straws for at least a week.
6. Do Not Rinse Too Soon or Too Vigorously
Keeping your mouth clean is essential, but rinsing too soon or too aggressively can wash away the blood clot.
- Do not rinse your mouth within the first 24 hours to prevent disrupting the blood clot and slowing the healing process.
- After that, gently rinse with salt water a few times a day, especially after meals.
- Do not use commercial mouthwashes with alcohol, as they can irritate the wound.
7. Avoid Excessive Physical Activity
Strenuous activities, including running, heavy lifting, and intense workouts, can increase blood pressure, causing bleeding to persist and more swelling. It’s best to rest for at least a week before resuming physical activities.
8. Don’t Ignore Signs of Complications
Although mild pain and swelling are expected following wisdom teeth removal, some symptoms indicate a more serious issue. Seek immediate help if you experience:
- Severe pain that doesn’t improve after a few days
- Bleeding persists beyond 24 hours
- Difficulty breathing or swallowing
- Indicators of infection include fever, the presence of pus, or a persistent foul taste in the mouth.
- Wisdom teeth pain persists beyond the third or fourth day.
If any of these symptoms occur, contact your dentist immediately to prevent further complications.
9. Do Not Touch the Extraction Site
It may be tempting to check on your healing process by touching the area with your tongue or fingers, but this can introduce bacteria, increasing the risk of infection and irritation. Let your gum tissue heal without interference.
10. Avoid Carbonated and Hot Beverages
Drinks like soda, coffee, and tea should be avoided in the first few days after wisdom teeth removal.
- Carbonated beverages can disturb the blood clot and lead to dry sockets.
- Hot beverages can cause inflammation and irritation to the surgical site.
- Instead, opt for lukewarm or cool drinks like water and herbal teas.
11. Don’t Skip Your Medication or Aftercare Instructions
Your dentist may prescribe pain relievers or antibiotics to manage pain and prevent infection. Take these as directed and follow all wisdom tooth extraction aftercare guidelines for a smooth recovery.
Ignoring aftercare instructions can result in serious complications, delayed healing, and increased pain.
What to Expect During Wisdom Tooth Extraction
Understanding the wisdom tooth extraction process can help reduce anxiety and set realistic expectations. Here’s a breakdown of what happens during the procedure:
Overview of the Surgical Removal Process
Overview of the Surgical Removal ProcessThe dentist will first examine the wisdom teeth through X-rays to determine their positioning. Depending on whether the teeth are impacted or fully erupted, the approach will vary. The area is numbed, and the wisdom teeth extracted using specialised instruments. Sutures may be placed if needed to close the extraction site. On average, the removal of wisdom teeth takes between 30 minutes to an hour, depending on the complexity of the case.
Difference Between Simple vs. Surgical Extractions
- Simple extraction: If the wisdom teeth have fully erupted, the dentist can remove them with forceps.
- Surgical extraction: If the wisdom teeth are impacted (trapped beneath the gums or in the surrounding bone), a small incision is made in the gum, and in some cases, the tooth may need to be divided into smaller sections for easier removal.
Use of Local vs. General Anaesthesia
- Local anaesthesia: Numbs only to the extraction area; the patient remains awake but feels comfortable.
- General anaesthesia: Used in complex cases or multiple wisdom teeth removals where the patient is fully unconscious.
Post-Surgery Expectations: Bleeding, Swelling, and Discomfort
- Bleeding is normal for the first 24 hours. Changing the gauze and applying gentle pressure can help.
- Swelling peaks around the third or fourth day and then gradually subsides.
- Mild pain can be managed with pain relievers, but if severe pain develops, contact your dentist immediately.
How to Ensure a Successful Recovery
By following these dos and don’ts after wisdom tooth extraction, you can minimise discomfort and speed up the recovery process. Stick to a soft food diet, apply ice packs, and avoid activities that may delay healing. If you encounter intense pain, prolonged bleeding, or symptoms of infection, consult a dental professional immediately. Your oral health is important, and proper wisdom tooth extraction aftercare ensures a smooth recovery.
By taking the right steps, you’ll be back to normal in no time—without unnecessary complications. For more information on healing and post-extraction care, contact Advanced Dental Care at (02) 6188 7103. Listen to your dentist, take care of yourself, and give your mouth the time it needs to heal properly.
Note: Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.
References
- Mayo Clinic. (n.d.). Wisdom tooth extraction. Retrieved from https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/wisdom-tooth-extraction/about/pac-20395268
- GoodRx. (n.d.). Popular over-the-counter pain relievers. Retrieved from https://www.goodrx.com/conditions/pain/popular-over-the-counter-pain-relievers
- Cleveland Clinic. (n.d.). Dry socket. Retrieved from https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/17731-dry-socket
- National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI). (n.d.). Local anesthesia techniques in dentistry and oral surgery. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK580480/
- Healthline. (n.d.). Salt water rinse. Retrieved from https://www.healthline.com/health/dental-and-oral-health/salt-water-rinse
- Johns Hopkins Medicine. (n.d.). Ice packs vs. warm compresses for pain. Retrieved from https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/treatment-tests-and-therapies/ice-packs-vs-warm-compresses-for-pain#:~:text=Dampen%20a%20towel%20with%20cold,it%20on%20the%20affected%20area
