Recovering from Wisdom Teeth Surgery

Wisdom teeth usually erupt between ages 17-25 and often fail to grow through the gums. The American Academy of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons reveals that 90% of people have at least one impacted wisdom tooth. As a result, dentists commonly recommend removing them.

While the surgical procedure to remove wisdom teeth can be simple for some, others might experience postoperative complications. When you know what to expect after a wisdom teeth surgery, you can facilitate a smoother recovery.

Here’s what to expect on the day of surgery

Wisdom tooth extraction is an outpatient procedure, so you’ll be sent home the same day. It can take up to a few hours to regain the full sensation of the surgical site and tongue, and it’s common to have discomfort and a bitter taste in your mouth. Try your best to remain calm and listen to the oral surgeon’s instructions carefully. Your oral health professional may recommend biting on a gauze pad at the extraction reaction for up to 60 minutes, or using an ice pack during the first few hours following surgery. Your dentist or oral surgeon will highly advise that you bring someone along with you to the appointment as it’s best to avoid driving after the procedure.

What can you expect after wisdom teeth removal?

After wisdom teeth extraction, you may experience some discomfort, pain, jaw stiffness, soft tissue swelling, and mild bleeding. Some patients may experience infection after surgery, dry socket, sinus issues, and nerve injury; though these outcomes can be prevented by following postoperative recommendations. If you continue to experience extreme discomfort, contact your dental professional immediately.

Timelines for postoperative recovery

You may experience the following after your wisdom teeth have been removed:

Throbbing pain and swollen lips and cheeks; this sensation may be intense for the first couple of days, but will progressively lessen. To help minimize swelling, gently place a cool towel on your face.
A stiff, aching jaw can follow; with proper medication, this should go away in 7 to 10 days.
An unpleasant taste in your mouth, tingling or numbness of your face, lips, or tongue; this usually alleviates over 1-2 weeks.
The gap left behind by extraction can take months to fill in and heal completely. Maintaining good oral hygiene reduces the risk of food accumulation and infection.

Generally speaking, your symptoms should be much better by the third day following surgery, and within a week of surgery, most discomfort and bleeding typically disappears.

How much time do you need to recover?

This is not a one-size-fits-all solution. Recovery will depend on the amount of bone and gums that need to be removed, the tooth angulation, and the patient’s age. Complete recovery might take up to two weeks, but most patients return to their daily routine in 5-6 days.

How to stay comfortable and facilitate recovery

You might experience face swelling, mild to moderate pain, and limited mouth opening after a wisdom teeth removal. Dentists recommend painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs to reduce the symptoms. If you experience serious difficulty, consult your dentist.

Rest for 2-3 days; avoid strenuous activity.
Avoid touching the surgical area. The blood over your wisdom teeth wound covers and cures the wound. If the blot clot is disturbed, you’ll experience more discomfort and risk infection.
To clean the wound, rinse with salt water starting 24 hours after the surgery. After rinsing, do not spit the water out but let the water fall out of your mouth.
Apply an ice pack to your cheek for a few days after surgery to minimize swelling.
Use an additional pillow to elevate your head at night to help minimize swelling.
Avoid drinking through a straw and smoking.
Avoid drinking fruit juices and hot beverages.
Solid foods can also be problematic; consuming soups and meals that can be mashed in the mouth are better options.
Take medications as prescribed.
Gently massage and stretch your jaws if you feel your mouth opening is restricted.

Returning to normal life

After a few days, you should be able to brush your teeth regularly but, first, make sure you finish any antibiotics you’ve been prescribed. Within 1-2 weeks, you should be able to comfortably return to your everyday life and work.