Wisdom teeth extraction is a common surgical procedure. While the healing process is highly individual and depends on the complexity of the extraction, standardized guidelines exist to ensure a smooth recovery. Understanding the typical phases of healing can help you plan time off and know when it is safe to return to normal routines. Most people can expect the initial recovery to last a few days, but complete healing takes longer.
The Critical Initial Rest Period
The first 48 to 72 hours following surgery are the most important for a successful recovery. This time is dedicated to ensuring a stable blood clot forms in the socket, which acts as a protective seal. Protecting this clot is paramount, as its loss can lead to a painful complication called dry socket. Limit physical activity and keep your head elevated, even while sleeping, to help control swelling and minimize bleeding.
Swelling is a normal part of the healing response and typically reaches its maximum level around 48 to 72 hours after the procedure. Applying ice packs to the outside of your cheeks in 20-minute intervals for the first 24 to 36 hours is the most effective way to reduce this swelling. During this initial period, avoid any actions that create suction in the mouth, such as using a straw, spitting forcefully, or smoking, as these can easily dislodge the blood clot.
Resuming Specific Activities
The timeline for returning to regular activities depends on the activity and whether it risks disrupting the surgical site. For those with sedentary jobs or school obligations, returning after two to three days is often possible, provided they are no longer taking prescription narcotic pain medication. If your job requires physically demanding labor or heavy lifting, you will likely need to stay home for five to seven days to avoid complications.
Driving requires you to be fully alert and have quick reaction times, so safety guidelines are based on the type of anesthesia used. If you received intravenous (IV) sedation or general anesthesia, you must not drive for at least 24 hours until the residual effects have completely worn off. If only local anesthesia was used and you feel clear-headed and are not taking prescription opioids, you may be able to drive sooner.
Exercise must be approached with caution because strenuous activity increases blood pressure, which can lead to throbbing, renewed bleeding, or dislodgment of the blood clot. Most oral surgeons advise avoiding any intense physical activity for a minimum of three to five days. You can usually start with light activity, such as walking, around day four, but high-impact workouts, heavy weightlifting, or contact sports should be postponed for seven to ten days.
Recognizing and Preventing Setbacks
While most recoveries are straightforward, certain complications can prolong the healing period. The most common setback is alveolar osteitis, widely known as dry socket, which occurs when the protective blood clot is lost, exposing the underlying bone and nerves. Pain from a dry socket is distinct from normal post-operative discomfort, often described as severe, throbbing pain that typically starts three to five days after the extraction, when pain should be decreasing.
Prevention centers on protecting the blood clot by avoiding any activity that creates negative pressure in the mouth, such as using straws or smoking, for at least one week. Smoking, in particular, slows healing and introduces contaminants to the surgical site, significantly increasing the risk of dry socket. If a dry socket is suspected, contact your oral surgeon for treatment, which usually involves placing medicated dressings in the socket.
The development of an infection may require medical intervention and extend the recovery timeline. Signs of infection include persistent or worsening pain after the third day, excessive swelling that increases instead of subsiding, and a fever. Other indicators are a foul odor, unpleasant taste, or the appearance of pus or discharge from the surgical site. Any of these signs should prompt an immediate call to your dental professional.