Recovery from wisdom teeth removal varies from person to person, but most patients heal completely within two to four weeks. The first few days after surgery matter most for preventing complications and setting yourself up for smooth healing.
Your recovery timeline depends on several factors, including whether your wisdom teeth were impacted, how many teeth were removed, and how well you follow post-operative instructions. Here’s what to expect week by week as your mouth heals.
The First 24 Hours After Wisdom Teeth Removal Surgery
The initial day after your wisdom teeth extraction sets the foundation for your entire recovery. You’ll still feel the effects of sedation for several hours, so arrange for someone to drive you home and stay with you. Plan to rest for the remainder of the day with your head elevated using pillows. Bleeding is normal for the first few hours. Bite down gently on the gauze pads provided by your oral surgeon, changing them every 30 to 45 minutes as they become soaked. The bleeding should slow significantly within three to four hours, though you might notice light oozing for up to 24 hours.
Apply ice packs to your cheeks in 20-minute intervals during the first day. This helps control swelling and provides natural pain relief. Swelling typically peaks around day two or three, so early intervention with ice makes a significant difference.
Stick to cold, soft foods for the first 24 hours. Options include:
- Ice cream or frozen yogurt (avoid products with nuts or hard pieces).
- Smoothies (skip the straw, which can dislodge blood clots).
- Applesauce or mashed bananas.
- Pudding or gelatin.
Take prescribed pain medication as directed, even before the anesthesia wears off completely. Staying ahead of pain is easier than catching up to it later.
Days 2-3: Managing Peak Swelling After Wisdom Teeth Removal
Days two and three typically bring the most swelling and discomfort. Your cheeks may appear puffy, and you might feel stiff when opening your mouth. This is completely normal and expected. Continue using ice packs during day two, but switch to warm compresses on day three to help your body break down the swelling.
You can gradually add more foods to your diet, though everything should remain soft and require minimal chewing. Appropriate recovery foods include:
- Scrambled eggs
- Oatmeal
- Mashed potatoes
- Pasta
- Soup that has cooled to a warm (not hot) temperature
Avoid anything crunchy, sticky, spicy, or requiring significant chewing. Begin gently rinsing your mouth with warm salt water after meals and before bed, starting 24 hours after surgery. Mix half a teaspoon of salt into eight ounces of warm water. Swish gently without vigorous swishing or spitting, which can disturb the healing sites.
Douglas L. Johnson, D.M.D., a Board Certified oral and maxillofacial surgeon, performs wisdom teeth extractions under IV sedation at St. Augustine Oral & Facial Surgical Center, an AAAHC-accredited facility with a team of certified surgical assistants and a registered APRN.
Days 4-7 After Wisdom Teeth Removal: The First Week Mark
By the end of the first week, you should notice significant improvement. Swelling begins decreasing, pain becomes more manageable, and you may feel ready to return to light activities. Many patients return to work or school around day five to seven, depending on the nature of their job and how they feel.
Continue your salt water rinses after every meal. The extraction sites will look dark or yellowish, which is normal healing tissue, not infection. Avoid touching the areas with your tongue or fingers, even though you’ll feel curious about how they’re healing.
You can expand your diet to include:
- Soft chicken or fish.
- Well-cooked vegetables.
- Soft bread (avoid crusty edges).
- Pasta with sauce.
- Rice and beans.
Still avoid hard, crunchy, or chewy foods like chips, nuts, popcorn, or tough meats. Stay away from alcohol and smoking, which significantly slow healing and increase complication risks.
Week 2: Returning to Normal Activities
Most patients feel nearly back to normal by week two. Swelling should be minimal or gone, and discomfort should be mild enough to manage with over-the-counter pain relievers if needed at all. The extraction sites continue healing from the inside out, though they still appear as small indentations in your gums.
You can resume regular brushing and flossing, taking care to be gentle around the extraction sites. Continue with salt water rinses, particularly after eating, to keep food particles from collecting in the healing sockets.
Physical activity can gradually increase. Light exercise like walking is fine, but continue avoiding strenuous activities, contact sports, or anything that could result in a blow to your face. These restrictions typically last two full weeks after surgery.
Your diet can return to nearly normal, though you should still use caution with very hard or crunchy foods. If something requires aggressive chewing or could get stuck in the extraction sites, wait another week or two.
Weeks 3-4: Complete Healing From Wisdom Teeth Removal
By weeks three and four, the soft tissue has largely healed, though bone healing continues for several more months beneath the surface. The visible holes in your gums gradually close as new tissue fills in. Most patients can eat whatever they want by this point, though some prefer to avoid certain foods until the sites close completely.
You may still notice occasional sensitivity or tightness when opening your mouth wide, but this improves with time and gentle jaw exercises. If you were given a plastic irrigating syringe, use it as directed to flush food particles from the healing sites until they close completely.
Signs to Call Your Oral Surgeon AFter Having Wisdom Teeth Removal
While most wisdom teeth extractions heal without complications, contact St. Augustine Oral & Facial Surgical Center if you experience:
- Fever above 100.4°F.
- Severe pain that worsens after day three or doesn’t respond to prescribed medication.
- Heavy bleeding that doesn’t stop with gentle pressure on gauze.
- Difficulty breathing or swallowing.
- Pus or foul odor from the extraction sites.
- Numbness or tingling that persists beyond the first day.
According to the American Dental Association, dry socket occurs when the blood clot at an extraction site becomes dislodged, exposing bone and nerves. This typically happens between days three and five and causes severe pain. If you suspect dry socket, call immediately for treatment.
Setting Yourself Up for Success After Your Wisdom Teeth Removal
Following post-operative instructions closely makes the biggest difference in your recovery experience. Stock your home with soft foods before surgery, fill prescriptions in advance, and clear your schedule for at least two to three days of rest. Avoid using straws, smoking, or spitting forcefully for at least a week. These actions create suction in your mouth that can dislodge blood clots and lead to complications. Similarly, avoid vigorous rinsing during the first 24 hours.
If you’re concerned about impacted wisdom teeth or need to schedule an extraction, the team at St. Augustine Oral & Facial Surgical Center can evaluate your situation and answer your questions. We perform extractions under IV sedation at our AAAHC-accredited facility, and our certified surgical assistants and registered APRN will support you throughout your procedure and recovery. Schedule a consultation and learn more about what to expect from wisdom teeth removal and recovery.
