After a wisdom tooth is removed, swelling and pain in many cases get stronger from the day of the extraction through the next day, and are most noticeable around day 2 to 3. After that they gradually settle, and many people feel better in about 1 week. However, the course differs from person to person, depending on how the wisdom tooth was growing and how strong the inflammation was before extraction.
You may be wondering, "Will I be OK at work tomorrow?" In this article, Halulu Shibuya Dental Clinic in Jinnan, Shibuya explains in order the usual course of swelling and pain after extraction, how to think about meals, bathing, work and exercise, and the symptoms that mean you should contact us right away.
When Do Swelling and Pain Peak? The Usual Course
After an extraction, the surrounding tissue reacts as it tries to heal the wound. Please think of swelling and pain as one of those natural reactions. The following timeline is a general guide.
Timing | Pain and swelling (general guide) | Tips for getting through it |
|---|---|---|
Day of extraction | Pain may start as the anesthesia wears off. There may be a little bleeding that seeps out. | Rest, and take your painkillers exactly as directed. |
Next day | Pain and swelling may get stronger. | Don't push yourself, and rest your body. |
Day 2 to 3 | This is when swelling is most noticeable. It may be hard to open your mouth. | Eat soft foods and rinse your mouth gently. |
Day 4 to 7 | Swelling and pain gradually go down. | Watching how your gums are doing, return to your normal routine. |
Around 1 week | We check the condition of the wound and, if stitches were placed, remove them. | Come to the clinic on your appointment day so we can check how the wound is healing. |
In general, lower wisdom teeth are said to be more likely than upper wisdom teeth to cause swelling and pain after extraction. This is because the bone around lower teeth is hard, and lower wisdom teeth are often buried sideways. Upper wisdom teeth, if they are growing straight, can often be removed in a short time, and the burden after extraction may be lighter. We will tell you which applies to you after checking with an X-ray.
Swelling and pain may last longer if the wisdom tooth was growing sideways, if the gum had to be cut to remove it, or if the inflammation was already strong before extraction. How wisdom teeth are removed, and why we reduce inflammation before extraction, are also explained in For Those Who Want to Consult About Wisdom Tooth Extraction in Shibuya.
What You Can Do on the Day of Extraction to Ease Pain and Swelling
- Take your painkillers in the amount directed, before the anesthesia wears off and the pain gets strong.
- On the day of extraction, rest, and avoid intense exercise and long baths.
- If you want to cool the area, just hold a towel wet with water against your cheek. Cooling strongly with ice or a cold pack can actually worsen blood circulation and slow healing.
- The blood clot that forms in the socket works as a lid that protects the wound. Please do not touch it with your tongue or fingers.
Ways to reduce pain and swelling after extraction are also introduced in the director's column, How to Reduce Pain and Swelling After Wisdom Tooth Extraction.
Guide to Meals: When Can I Eat Normally?
- Day of extraction: Wait to eat until the anesthesia wears off so that you don't bite your cheek or tongue. After that, we recommend food that is lukewarm and soft.
- Next day to around day 3: Foods you don't need to chew, such as rice porridge, udon, jelly and yogurt, are suitable.
- From around day 4: Watching how the pain is, gradually return to normal meals.
Hot foods, spicy foods and alcohol improve blood circulation and can cause bleeding and swelling, so avoid them until the wound has settled. Hard foods and foods with small grains (sesame, nuts, grains of rice, etc.) can get into the socket, so it is safer to avoid them for a while.
When Can I Take Baths, Go to Work and Exercise?
Bathing
On the day of extraction, just take a shower. Soaking in a bath for a long time improves blood circulation and can lead to bleeding and swelling. From day 2 to 3 onward, once the swelling has settled, return to bathing, starting with short baths.
Work
Some people can go back to desk work and other jobs that don't involve moving the body from the day after extraction, watching how they feel. However, swelling can make it hard to be seen in public, and it may be hard to open your mouth. It is safer to avoid scheduling an extraction right before an important event.
Exercise
Exercise improves blood circulation, so avoid it on the day of extraction and the next day. Light exercise can be resumed, watching how you feel, from around day 3 to 4, when swelling and pain have gone down. We will tell you when to resume after examining the condition of the extracted tooth.
If You Have Any of These Symptoms, Please Contact Us Early
- The pain keeps getting stronger even though you take painkillers
- A strong, throbbing pain started 2 to 4 days after extraction
- Bleeding won't stop, or your mouth fills with blood
- The swelling is spreading, and swallowing or breathing is hard
- A fever of 38 degrees or higher continues
- After a lower wisdom tooth was removed, numbness around your lips or chin continues
If the blood clot in the socket comes off, bone may be exposed and strong pain can continue for several days. If the pain gets stronger after some time has passed, please consult us early, without hesitating or thinking "maybe I'll wait a little longer."
Frequently Asked Questions
Once the swelling peak has passed, am I in the clear?
In many cases, swelling starts to go down after day 2 to 3. However, if you notice changes such as pain that keeps getting stronger, a fever, or bleeding that won't stop, please contact the clinic early, even if the peak has passed.
Is it OK to keep taking painkillers?
Please take them in the amount and at the intervals directed. If the pain stays strong and you feel the medicine isn't working, do not increase the amount on your own judgment, and please contact the clinic.
Can I brush my teeth on the day of extraction?
You can brush your other teeth gently. Please make sure the toothbrush does not touch the extraction site. Rinse your mouth gently, not strongly.
How long does it take for the swelling to go down?
For many people, around 1 week is the guide. Depending on how the wisdom tooth was growing and how strong the inflammation was, it can take longer.
If You Want to Consult About Wisdom Tooth Extraction in Shibuya
Halulu Shibuya Dental Clinic is on the 4th floor of the Toyama Building in Jinnan, Shibuya-ku, a 5-minute walk from Shibuya Station (JR and other lines). The director is Dr. Kazuya Shiho, a dentist who graduated from Tokyo Medical and Dental University (now Institute of Science Tokyo). We place importance on care centered on prevention that protects your existing teeth as much as possible. Our explanations, from before the extraction through how to spend the time afterward, are tailored to each person's condition. Please also see our tooth extraction page.
Our hours are 10:00 to 18:00 on weekdays. On weekends, national holidays and evenings, we see patients by appointment only, on days when a doctor is in. Please check the calendar when booking for details. You can book online (accepted 24 hours a day), and we also accept bookings by LINE and by phone (03-5422-3518). If it is your first visit, please start with our first-visit counseling (first-visit fee ¥5,500), a chance for us to hear your concerns.
Book online at Halulu Shibuya Dental Clinic here
This article was reviewed by Dr. Kazuya Shiho, director and dentist of Halulu Shibuya Dental Clinic.