How Long Does It Take to Recover
From Wisdom Teeth Removal?

Recovery after wisdom teeth removal varies because every patient is different. Most patients recover in a few days or within 2 weeks. This time may be longer if you had multiple third molars extracted or if any of the wisdom teeth were impacted. Impacted wisdom teeth require surgical extraction and sutures are often placed over any incisions in the gums.

Tips to Reduce Pain and Aid Your Recovery

After any type of surgery, your body needs time to heal. There are a few things you can do at home to speed up the recovery process and reduce pain following wisdom teeth removal, such as:

• Use over-the-counter pain medication such as Tylenol® or Aleve® every 6 hours as needed, or as instructed by your oral surgeon. Be sure to take pain medicines with food to help prevent nausea.
• Avoid strenuous activity for 3 days following your surgery unless told otherwise.
• Place gauze pads directly over the extraction site(s) and hold them in place by firmly biting down. Replace the gauze pads every 60 minutes. When the gauze pads have little or no blood on them, they are no longer necessary.
• The day after your surgery, rinse with warm salt water. This helps clean the mouth and increase blood flow to speed up healing.
• Apply an ice pack to the side of your face for 10 minutes, then to the other side for 10 minutes. Ice packs can greatly reduce swelling following surgery.
• Eat only soft foods for the first week.
• Do not use a straw for 3 days after surgery to prevent dry socket.
• Keep your mouth and surgical areas clean by resuming regular brushing the day after surgery. Bacteria and plaque buildup near the extraction site will delay healing.
• Do not smoke or vape for at least a week. The nicotine and tar in tobacco delay healing and may cause dry socket.

Follow all instructions as provided by your oral surgeon and contact your surgeon directly if you have any questions. When having your wisdom teeth removed at Hill & Ioppolo Oral & Dental Implant Surgery of Lubbock, our team is here to guide you through the recovery process so that you can return to your normal routine as quickly as possible.

School and Work After Wisdom Teeth Removal

You should take the day off of school or work on the day of your wisdom teeth removal surgery. Most patients undergo IV sedation for this procedure, which will leave you feeling sleepy for the rest of the day. After the sedation wears off, expect to go home and rest for the remainder of the day, as you may still be under the effects of the sedation for several hours.

Some patients return to work or school the day after surgery, but take the time you need to heal. An extra day of rest could make your entire recovery process easier. It’s not uncommon to experience swelling or discomfort up to a week after wisdom teeth removal, but these symptoms should not be severe enough to keep you out of school or work for an extended period of time.

Returning to Normal After Wisdom Teeth Removal

After wisdom teeth removal, you may begin to feel normal and ready to resume your normal activities as soon as the next day or the following day. Remember that swelling usually peaks around the third day and it can take a few days for swelling to subside. Your face and mouth will return to normal after residual swelling and bruising has disappeared, which can take up to 2 weeks.

Although there still may be swelling and some discomfort, you can still resume your regular routine with the exception of strenuous activities, like sports or going to the gym. Physical activity will increase blood pressure, which may increase swelling, pain, or bleeding. Hold off on these activities and gradually ease back into them 5–7 days after surgery.

It’s important not to rush your recovery. Performing a highly physical job too soon or going to sports practice before your extraction sites have healed can lead to painful complications. Continuous bleeding or damage to your surgical areas will only prolong the healing process, so take the extra time now to rest and recover.

Wisdom Teeth Removal in Lubbock, TX

Dr. Ioppolo regularly extracts wisdom teeth at our office in Lubbock, TX. Our team makes the oral surgery experience smooth and easy, and we answer all of your questions so that you can be informed about your care. Contact Hill & Ioppolo Oral & Dental Implant Surgery of Lubbock today if you or your child have wisdom teeth and need them extracted.