Swelling and stiffness after wisdom tooth surgery usually peak on day 2–3 and then improve. Most people feel much better within a week.
Day of surgery
- Bite firmly on the gauze for 30–45 minutes. If oozing continues, replace it with fresh folded gauze and bite for another 30 minutes.
- If you had sedation, an adult must stay with you and you must not drive for the rest of the day.
- Rest with your head raised. For swelling, hold a cold pack wrapped in a cloth on your cheek, 15–20 minutes on and 15–20 minutes off, during the first 24–48 hours.
- Do not use a straw, spit forcefully or rinse hard for the first 24 hours. Suction can dislodge the healing blood clot.
Eating and drinking
- Avoid chewing, hot drinks and biting your cheek, lip or tongue until the numbness wears off, usually within 2–5 hours. Watch children closely.
- Start with liquids and very soft foods. Eat soft, cool or lukewarm foods such as yogurt, smoothies (with a spoon), mashed potatoes, scrambled eggs, soup that is not hot, oatmeal and pasta. Chew on the other side.
- Avoid hard, crunchy, sticky, spicy or very hot foods (chips, nuts, seeds, popcorn, toffee) until your dentist says it is OK. Small seeds and grains can lodge in the sockets.
- Drink plenty of fluids so you stay hydrated.
Swelling and jaw stiffness
- Swelling, bruising and a stiff jaw are common and usually peak 48–72 hours after surgery.
- After 48 hours, warm moist compresses may help stiffness if your surgeon agrees.
Cleaning
- Starting the day after, gently rinse with warm salt water (about ½ teaspoon of salt in a cup of warm water) after meals and at bedtime, unless told otherwise.
- Keep brushing and flossing the rest of your mouth as usual. A clean mouth heals better. Brush gently near the surgical areas.
- If you were given an irrigation syringe, start using it only on the day your dentist told you to.
Pain and medicine
- Take pain relievers or any prescribed medicine exactly as your dentist or pharmacist directed. Do not take more than the label or prescription allows, and tell us about any allergies or other medicines you take.
- If you were prescribed antibiotics, take every dose until they are finished unless your dentist tells you otherwise.
- Taking medicine with a little food can help prevent nausea.
Avoid
- Avoid smoking, vaping and alcohol for at least 72 hours, or longer if your dentist advises. They slow healing and raise the risk of complications.
- Avoid strenuous exercise for 3–5 days.
Call our office right away if
- Bleeding that soaks through gauze and does not slow after an hour of firm pressure
- Swelling that is getting worse after the third day, or spreads toward your eye, jaw or neck
- Fever, chills, or pus or a bad taste that keeps coming back
- Pain that gets much worse around day 3–5 (possible dry socket)
- Numbness of the lip, chin or tongue that lasts past the next day
- Rash, itching, or any other reaction to a medicine (stop it and call; for trouble breathing call 911)
This handout is general information. Always follow the specific instructions your dentist gives you, which may differ from this sheet. For a medical emergency, such as trouble breathing or swallowing, swelling spreading toward the eye or neck, or bleeding that will not stop, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department. Content last reviewed: 2026-10.