Nosht
Post-operative

After Your Wisdom Tooth Removal

Taking out a wisdom tooth is a bigger job than a simple extraction. This guide explains what to expect and how to recover well.

6 min read

Urgent help: who to contact

Call 999 or go to A&E now if you find it hard to breathe, swallow or speak, if swelling spreads to your neck, under your tongue or around your eye, or if you have signs of a severe allergic reaction (such as swollen lips, tongue or throat). This is a medical emergency.

Contact your dental team straight away if bleeding is still heavy after a second 30 minutes of firm pressure, if painkillers do not control severe pain, or if your temperature is above 38°C. If you cannot reach them, call NHS 111.

What to Expect: A Bigger Job Than a Simple Extraction

Taking out a wisdom tooth is surgery. This is even more so if the tooth is impacted (partly buried under the gum or bone). Recovery takes longer than after a routine extraction. It helps to be prepared.

  • Swelling: expect clear swelling. It is usually worst on day 2 or 3. It then slowly goes down over 5–7 days. Swelling on the outside of your cheek and jaw is normal.
  • Bruising: you may get bruising on your cheek or neck over days 2–4. This is normal. It will fade over 1–2 weeks.
  • Stiff jaw: your jaw muscles may feel stiff and sore, so it is hard to open wide. This is called trismus. It usually gets better within a week.
  • Stitches: if you have stitches, they usually dissolve. They go away on their own within 7–14 days. You may also have a follow-up appointment to check healing.
  • Bleeding: some oozing is normal for the first few hours. Heavier bleeding should stop with pressure (see below).

Pain Relief

Pain after wisdom tooth removal is often worse than after a simple extraction. Starting pain relief early makes a real difference.

  • Take painkillers before the numbness wears off. Do not wait until the pain starts.
  • Paracetamol (adults): take 500mg to 1g (1 or 2 × 500mg tablets). Leave at least 4 hours between doses. Do not take more than 4g (8 × 500mg tablets) in 24 hours. If you weigh less than 50kg, you may need a lower dose. Ask a pharmacist.
  • Ibuprofen (adults): take 200mg to 400mg up to 3 times a day, with or after food. Leave at least 4 hours between doses. Do not take more than 1,200mg in 24 hours, unless your dentist or doctor has prescribed a different dose.
  • You can take paracetamol and ibuprofen at the same time, or spread them out through the day. Never take more than the daily maximum of either.
  • Do not take paracetamol with other medicines that contain paracetamol, unless your dental team or doctor has told you to. These include co-codamol, co-dydramol and cold and flu remedies. Taking both can cause an accidental overdose.
  • Check with a pharmacist, dentist or doctor before you take ibuprofen if you have asthma, have had a stomach ulcer, have heart, kidney or liver problems, take blood-thinning medicines, or are pregnant.
  • Children: use children's paracetamol or ibuprofen. Give the dose on the packet or leaflet for your child's age (and weight, if given). Ask a pharmacist if you are not sure. Ibuprofen may not be suitable if your child has asthma.
  • If you were prescribed stronger painkillers or antibiotics, take them exactly as directed. Take antibiotics for the full number of days your dental team told you to. Do not stop them early unless your dental team tells you to.
  • Painkillers with codeine in them (such as co-codamol) can make you sleepy. Do not drive or use machines if you feel sleepy. It is against the law to drive if a medicine affects your driving. Avoid alcohol while you take them.
  • Use a cold pack in the first 24 hours to bring swelling down. Hold frozen peas wrapped in a cloth on your cheek for 10–15 minutes at a time.
  • Pain should get a little better each day. If it gets worse after day 3, contact your dental team. This may be a sign of dry socket or infection.

Controlling Bleeding

Some bleeding or oozing is expected. Here is what to do:

  • Your dental team will have put a gauze pad over the socket. Bite down firmly on it for at least 30 minutes. Do not check it or move it.
  • If the bleeding carries on, swap it for a fresh pad (or a clean folded cloth). Bite firmly for another 30 minutes.
  • You can also use a damp tea bag. The tannic acid in tea helps blood to clot.
  • Sit upright. Lying flat raises the blood pressure in your head and can make bleeding worse.
  • For the first few hours, do not spit or rinse, and talk as little as you can.
  • If it is still bleeding heavily after a second 30 minutes, contact your practice or NHS 111 straight away.

Eating, Drinking and Keeping Clean

You will need to eat soft food for longer than after a simple extraction.

Food and drink:

  • Eat only soft foods for the first 3–5 days. For example: yoghurt, soup, mashed potato, scrambled eggs, soft pasta and smoothies.
  • Avoid hard, crunchy, chewy or sticky foods for at least 7–10 days.
  • Avoid very hot food and drinks for the first 24 hours.
  • Do not use a straw for at least 48 hours. Sucking can pull out the blood clot and cause dry socket.
  • Avoid alcohol for 24–48 hours. Also avoid it while you take antibiotics or strong painkillers.

Keeping your mouth clean:

  • Do not rinse your mouth for the first 24 hours.
  • From day 2, rinse gently with warm salty water after every meal and before bed. Use half a teaspoon of salt in a glass of warm water. Keep doing this for 7–10 days.
  • Brush your teeth gently. Keep away from the area of the surgery for the first couple of days. Then slowly start brushing near it again as it heals.

Smoking: do not smoke for at least 72 hours, and ideally for a week. Smoking is the biggest risk factor for dry socket and infection after wisdom tooth removal.

Dry Socket: Know the Signs

Dry socket is the most common problem after wisdom tooth removal. It happens when the blood clot in the socket is lost too early. It affects up to about 3 in 10 people after surgical removal of a lower wisdom tooth. Fewer people get it after simpler removals. Smokers are more likely to get it.

Signs include:

  • Pain that starts to get worse after day 2–3, instead of better
  • A throbbing ache that may spread to your ear or along your jaw
  • An empty-looking socket where you can see bone
  • A nasty taste or bad breath

Dry socket can be treated. Your dental team can put a dressing in the socket to ease the pain. Contact your dental team quickly if you think you have dry socket. Do not wait, as the pain can become severe.

When to Get Help Urgently

Contact your dental team or call NHS 111 if you have:

  • Heavy bleeding that has not stopped after a second 30 minutes of firm pressure
  • Pain that gets worse after day 3 (this could be dry socket or infection)
  • Swelling that is getting worse after day 3
  • A temperature above 38°C / 100.4°F
  • Pus or a nasty discharge from the area
  • Trouble opening your mouth that is getting worse, not better
  • Numbness or tingling in your lip, chin or tongue that lasts beyond 6 hours after surgery

Call 999 or go to A&E now if you find it hard to breathe, swallow or speak, or if swelling spreads to your neck, under your tongue or around your eye. For other urgent problems, contact your dental practice. If it is closed, call NHS 111.

This leaflet is for general information only and does not replace professional dental advice. Your dental team will discuss your individual circumstances and any risks specific to you. Treatment outcomes vary between patients depending on individual circumstances.

Sources

Links checked 18 October 2026.

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