How long does it take to heal from wisdom tooth removal?

Wisdom tooth removal is necessary for many people, with an estimated five million Americans having their wisdom teeth removed each year.¹ The good news is most people find it takes only a few days to a week for healing. In this article, we’ll share a few tips to help you get back to normal quickly.

¹Source: Friedman, J. W. (2007). The prophylactic extraction of third molars: A public health hazard. American Journal of Public Health.

How long do wisdom teeth take to heal?

It may take up to 1 to 2 weeks for the mouth to heal completely after wisdom tooth removal. However, many patients resume normal activities, like going to school or work, after three to five days. While many patients heal during this timeframe, there are situations where wisdom teeth may take longer to heal, including: 

• The extraction is more complex than anticipated. More complex surgeries will typically take longer to heal
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• The patient doesn’t adhere to after-care instructions. Your Aspen Dental care team will provide explicit instructions about how to care for your wounds and what to avoid. 

  
  

• Underlying health problems. If you have a health condition like diabetes, it could compromise your ability to heal and make you more prone to developing an infection. Always be sure to let your Aspen Dental care team know about any health conditions during your initial consultation. 

  
  

• Infection. If you experience pain, swelling, bad taste, or fever in the days following your procedure, contact your care team right away so your dentist can see if an infection has developed. 
  
  

Wisdom teeth healing timeline

There are a few key milestones in your post-surgery timeline. Here’s what to expect: 

First 24 hours

The first 24 hours after the procedure are the most critical for your healing. Because of the pain management used during the procedure, you may feel dizzy or extra tired. Take advantage of this time to relax, take a nap, and ask a loved one to keep an eye on you. In addition to being less physically active, you’ll also want to exercise your jaw less, meaning minimal conversation and plenty of time to stream your favorite TV show. 

Your Aspen Dental dentist may have you eat a liquid or soft foods diet for a while after surgery so you don’t interfere with the stitches. On day one, you should also expect to see a bit of bleeding, which should subside as you replace your gauze over the course of the day. 

2 to 3 days

You’ll want to continue to take it easy over the next few days, even though you’ll likely be feeling a little more energetic. Be sure to keep your head elevated as you rest and sleep. Expect swelling to develop or continue during this time, but don’t be alarmed unless it’s accompanied by fever or other indicators of infection. Be sure to follow the post-operative instructions your dentist provided, including doing gentle saltwater rinses to keep infection at bay. 

4 to 7 days

You may have received the green light from the dentist to return to work or school around day four post-op. However, you should listen to your body as you’re still recovering during this time. You can resume light exercise like slow or moderate walking, but be sure to avoid anything that’s strenuous as it could cause bleeding to recur your surgical site. 

7 to 10 days

After a week, you should be resuming normal activities, including returning to work or school and eating a normal diet. You’ll also have your follow-up visit with the dentist at Aspen Dental after about a week so they can check the surgery site to ensure appropriate healing. Be sure to finish any antibiotics that were prescribed, even if you feel like you don’t need them. 

2 weeks+

Total healing of the surgical site could take a number of weeks. However, you should be back to normal by now. If you’re experiencing sharp or throbbing pain, bleeding, swelling, or soreness, it’s important to contact your care team right away, as those may be signs of an underlying infection or other issue that needs to be addressed. 

Tips for wisdom teeth healing

How quickly your body heals after wisdom teeth removal is largely in your control. Here are a few things you can do to ensure timely healing: 

1. Leave gauze on

Following the procedure, your dentist will instruct you to use gauze to control the bleeding. It’s important to replace gauze as recommended. Failure to do so could create a breeding ground for bacteria and infection. If bleeding persists or is heavier than you were told to expect, contact your dentist right away. 

2. Use an ice pack to reduce swelling

While swelling is a natural part of the healing process, there can be times when you need some relief. Holding a cold ice pack to the side of your face may help. You can wrap the ice pack in a clean towel so that it’s not so cold on your skin. 

3. Keep your mouth clean

Proper oral hygiene is paramount following any oral surgery, and it’s critical that you care for your mouth using the instructions provided by your dental team.

4. Take prescribed medication

Take any prescribed pain medication or antibiotics as instructed by your dentist for the entire duration of the prescription, even if you’re feeling better. 

5. Prioritize rest and sleep

While sleeping after wisdom teeth removal might feel difficult, the best thing you can do for your body is to allow it to rest. Even if you wake up more than usual, give yourself time in bed to try and get as much sleep as possible. You should also keep your head elevated while you rest, as it helps drain fluid away from the extraction site. 

Foods to avoid after a wisdom teeth extraction

In the days immediately following your wisdom tooth extraction, you’ll be limited in what you can eat, with many dentists suggesting a liquid or soft foods diet. What you can eat and drink after a wisdom tooth removal depends on food preferences and availability, but it’s generally best to avoid: 

• Hard, crunchy foods that require chewing

• Extremely hot or cold foods

• Spicy foods

• Highly acidic foods, like lemon juice or apple cider vinegar

• Alcoholic beverages

• Popcorn

• Chewy foods, like gum or marshmallows

• Foods with small seeds, like chia or poppy 
  
  

If you’re wondering what foods you should eat and avoid, you can schedule an appointment with your Aspen Dental care team to get your questions answered.

Attend your wisdom teeth extraction follow-up appointment  

Recovery from a wisdom teeth extraction can take a few weeks, but the entire process is made easier with the support of an experienced, professional care team. After the procedure, your team will schedule a follow-up appointment for about a week later. It’s incredibly important that you attend the follow-up, even if you’re feeling well. At this follow-up appointment, your dentist will check to ensure there are no complications, and they’ll clear you so you can resume normal activities. 


If you’re ready to explore wisdom tooth removal, schedule an appointment at your local Aspen Dental office. 

Wisdom teeth removal FAQs

Can I go back to work or school immediately after the procedure?

Many dentists advise to take 2 to 3 days off work or school following wisdom teeth removal. Even if you’re feeling well after the procedure, your body needs time to heal. If you can’t take three full days to rest, take as much time as possible, especially during the first 48 hours. 

Is three days enough time to recover from wisdom teeth removal?

Some people resume normal activities after 3 days post-surgery. However, listen to your body and work with your dental care team to determine when it’s appropriate to head back to work or school. 

What can speed up recovery after wisdom teeth removal?

The best thing you can do to speed up recovery after wisdom teeth removal is to rest and let your body heal. Be sure to drink plenty of fluids (and not through a straw), take prescribed medication, eat soft foods, and avoid strenuous activity.

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