Wisdom Tooth Removal - Recovery

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Recovery - Wisdom tooth removal

Contents

1. Overview
2. Recovery

Wisdom teeth lie close to the back of the mouth. This can sometimes make them difficult to remove.

It can take up to 2 weeks to fully recover after having your wisdom teeth removed (extracted).

Your dentist will give you aftercare instructions when your tooth is removed. They will tell you how to manage any symptoms.

After getting your tooth out, you may have:

• pain - this is worse if the removal was complicated
• swelling of your mouth and cheeks - hold a cold cloth to your face to help reduce the swelling
• a stiff, sore jaw - the skin around your jaw may be bruised for up to 2 weeks
• an unpleasant taste in your mouth
• tingling or numbness of your face, lips or tongue after the local anaesthetic has worn off - this is rare

Urgent advice: Contact your dentist immediately if you have:

• heavy bleeding
• severe pain
• other unusual symptoms - such as lasting stiffness in your jaw muscles

Self-care advice

There are things you can do to help reduce pain and help your recovery.

Do

• follow the advice given to you by your dentist

• if needed, use painkillers recommended by your dentist - always follow the dosage instructions

• eat soft or liquid food for a few days and chew on the other side of your mouth

• use an extra pillow to support your head at night

• gently rinse your mouth (particularly after meals) - only do this after 24 hours to reduce gum soreness and inflammation

• use warm salty water or antiseptic mouthwash when rinsing your mouth - as recommended by your dentist

Don't

• do not rinse, spit or have hot drinks for 24 hours - these could dislodge blood clots in the socket

• do not do high-effort activity and exercise for a few days

• do not drink alcohol or smoke - these can affect healing

Working and driving

Your dentist may recommend that you take 1 to 2 days off work after having a wisdom tooth removed.

You can drive immediately after a local anaesthetic.

Do not drive for 24 hours if you had a sedative. Do not drive for 48 hours if you had a general anaesthetic.

Returning to normal

You'll usually be able to brush your teeth normally after a few days. If you are taking antibiotics, make sure you follow the instructions and finish the course.

You may have a check-up appointment about a week after getting your tooth out. Your dentist will remove stitches, if they did not use dissolvable stitches.

Risks from wisdom tooth removal

There are some risks involved in getting a wisdom tooth removed. But, your dentist will discuss these risks with you before you get your tooth out.

Risks can include:

• bruising and swelling of the face - this can last for 7 to 10 days
• bleeding
• infection
• a dry socket - a blood clot does not develop in the tooth socket, or the blood clot becomes dislodged
• nerve injury - this can cause pain and numbness

Signs of infection include:

• a yellow or white discharge at the site
• high temperature of 38 degrees Celsius or above
• pain and swelling

Dry socket

A dry socket can happen 3 to 5 days after surgery. This happens when the blood clot does not develop in the tooth socket, or the blood clot becomes dislodged.

The empty socket causes an ache or throbbing pain in your gum or jaw, which can be intense. There may also be an unpleasant smell or taste from the empty tooth socket. If you look into the socket, you might be able to see exposed bone rather than a blood clot.

You're more at risk of developing dry socket if:

• you do not follow your dentist's instructions after the extraction
• you smoke
• you've had a dry socket before
• you're over 25
• removing the tooth was complicated

Go back to your dentist if you think you have a dry socket. They can flush any debris out of the socket and cover it with a medicated dressing. They can tell you how to manage pain.

If necessary, they will prescribe antibiotics for an infection.

Nerve injury

Nerve injury is rare. It can cause pain, a tingling sensation and numbness in the tongue, lower lip, chin, teeth and gums.

There is a nerve in your jaw bone that runs underneath your molar teeth. This nerve can be injured during wisdom tooth removal. Your dentist usually explains this to you.

In most cases, the damage is temporary, lasting for a few weeks or months. But it can be permanent if the nerve is severely damaged. A nerve injury can make things, such as eating and drinking, difficult and painful.

Wisdom tooth removal

Content supplied by the NHS and adapted for Ireland by the HSE

Page last reviewed: 31 October 2024 Next review due: 31 October 2027

This project has received funding from the Government of Ireland’s Sláintecare Integration Fund 2019 under Grant Agreement Number 123.