Patient recovery guide
Know what to expect, what to eat and when to contact your dentist during the first week.
Your first week at a glance
Recovery after wisdom teeth removal is different for everyone. Many people return to normal activities within about a week, although the gum and bone continue to heal after that.
Your recovery time will depend on the position of the teeth, the complexity of the procedure and your general health. Your dentist’s instructions should always take priority because they are specific to your treatment.
Some bleeding, numbness and soreness are expected. Rest, use gauze as directed and avoid disturbing the blood clot.
Swelling, bruising or jaw stiffness may be present. Choose soft foods, clean carefully and take medicines as directed.
Symptoms should start moving in the right direction. Contact your dentist if pain becomes severe or continues to worsen.
Eating, speaking and daily activities often become easier. Return to your usual routine gradually if you feel well enough.
The gum continues to close and heal. Keep the area clean and attend any recommended review appointment.
Queensland Health advises that an extraction wound commonly takes around two weeks to heal. New bone can take several more weeks to fill the socket.
A blood clot forms in the socket after a tooth is removed. It protects the underlying bone and is an important part of healing.
A small amount of blood mixed with saliva can look more dramatic than it is. If bleeding continues despite firm pressure with gauze, contact your dental practice.
Soreness, swelling, bruising and temporary jaw stiffness can occur during the first few days. Follow the pain relief and aftercare plan provided by your dentist.
After the first 24 hours, your dentist may recommend gentle warm salt-water rinses, particularly after eating. Avoid forceful swishing. Brush the rest of your teeth as normal, but take care around the healing socket.
Arrange for a responsible adult to take you home and follow the driving, work and supervision instructions given to you. Learn more about IV sedation at Doan Dental Care.
Start with soft foods that require little chewing. Let hot food and drinks cool before eating, particularly while your mouth is numb.
Chew away from the extraction site where possible. Hard, crunchy or sharp foods can irritate the socket. Return to your usual diet gradually as chewing becomes comfortable.
Dry socket occurs when the protective blood clot is lost or does not form properly. Reduce avoidable disruption to the clot by not smoking, avoiding straws, waiting until your dentist advises you to rinse and keeping your fingers and tongue away from the socket.
Severe pain that develops or intensifies one to four days after an extraction, sometimes with bad breath or an unpleasant taste, can be a sign of dry socket. Contact a dentist for assessment.
Get urgent help if you develop difficulty breathing or swallowing, or rapidly increasing swelling.
Healthdirect advises that some people may need up to a week away from work after wisdom teeth removal. The right amount of time depends on the difficulty of the extraction, the number of teeth removed, the type of anaesthetic and the physical demands of your work.
Many people return to normal activities within about a week, but the extraction site continues to heal. Queensland Health notes that the wound commonly heals in around two weeks.
Some people return after a few days, while others need up to a week. A complex removal, several extractions, sedation or a physically demanding job may increase the time required.
Return to firmer food gradually as chewing becomes comfortable. Begin with soft foods and avoid anything likely to irritate or lodge in the socket.
Dry socket usually causes strong pain that develops or worsens a few days after extraction. Bad breath or an unpleasant taste may also occur. Contact a dentist promptly.
Contact your dentist if swelling is severe, continues to worsen, comes with fever or discharge, or causes difficulty swallowing or breathing.
Book an assessment at Jamboree Heights or Darra. Your dentist will explain the findings, options and likely recovery.
