Tooth extraction is a common dental procedure. Patients often worry about facial swelling afterward. While unsettling, swelling is a typical and expected part of the body’s natural healing response to this oral surgery.
Why Swelling Occurs After Tooth Extraction
Swelling after a tooth extraction is the body’s natural healing response. When a tooth is removed, surrounding tissues like gums, jawbone, and soft tissues experience trauma. This triggers an inflammatory response, increasing blood flow to deliver nutrients and immune cells for repair and to combat infection. The accumulation of blood, fluids, and white blood cells at the site causes tissues to expand.
Several factors influence swelling. Complex extractions, like impacted wisdom teeth removal or procedures requiring bone removal, lead to more pronounced swelling than simpler ones. Overall health and healing ability also play a role; those with conditions like diabetes or compromised immune systems may experience more swelling or a longer recovery. Age can also be a factor, as healing tends to slow, potentially increasing swelling or recovery time for older patients.
Normal post-extraction swelling appears the day after the procedure and peaks around 2 to 3 days post-surgery. During this peak, the face may appear and feel more swollen than usual, sometimes extending to the cheeks, jaw, and around the eyes. This puffiness and tightness indicates active healing.
Managing Post-Extraction Swelling and When to Seek Care
Managing post-extraction swelling involves several steps for comfort and recovery. Apply ice packs to the outside of the face during the first 24 to 48 hours. Ice constricts blood vessels, reducing blood flow and fluid buildup, minimizing swelling. Apply ice for 15 to 20 minutes at a time, followed by a 15 to 20-minute break, repeating this cycle as tolerable.
Elevating the head while resting or sleeping helps reduce swelling by encouraging fluid drainage away from the surgical area. Use extra pillows to keep the head elevated above the heart. Avoid strenuous physical activity for the first few days after extraction, as increased exertion can elevate blood flow and potentially worsen swelling.
Swelling duration follows a predictable pattern. After peaking around days 2 to 3, swelling should gradually subside. By days 4 to 5, swelling and discomfort noticeably reduce. For most simple extractions, swelling resolves within a week. However, with more complex procedures like wisdom tooth removal, mild puffiness might persist for up to 7 to 10 days, with gradual improvement after day five.
Watch for warning signs of complications requiring professional attention. If swelling increases or spreads beyond the third day, it could suggest an infection. Other symptoms include persistent or worsening pain not improving with medication, spreading redness around the extraction site, a foul taste or odor, or pus/discharge from the wound. A fever above 102°F (38.8°C), or difficulty swallowing or breathing, also require immediate dental or medical evaluation, as they can indicate a more serious infection or complication.