is swelling normal after wisdom tooth removal

Many people panic on the second morning after wisdom tooth surgery, when they look in the mirror and see a puffier face than the day before. This is the most expected part of recovery. Swelling is your body sending fluid and healing cells to the area, and it follows a predictable pattern.

The normal pattern

• Day 1: little swelling at first; it builds through the evening.
• Days 2 and 3: swelling peaks. The cheek and jaw on that side may look noticeably larger, and opening wide may feel tight.
• Days 4 to 7: swelling goes down steadily. Most people look normal again by the end of the first week.
• Bruising: sometimes yellowish or purple marks on the cheek or under the jaw, which fade within one to two weeks.

Upper teeth and simple extractions usually swell less. Lower impacted teeth that needed bone removal usually swell more.

How to keep swelling down

• Ice: our instructions are an ice pack on the cheek, 20 minutes on and off, three to four times on the first day. Wrap it in a cloth; do not put ice directly on the skin.
• Head up: sleep with an extra pillow for the first two nights.
• Take medicines as prescribed, on time, rather than waiting until the pain is bad.
• Rest: no gym, heavy lifting or bending for the first couple of days.
• Avoid tobacco and alcohol, which slow healing. Our instructions say no smoking, tobacco or mishri for 72 hours after surgery, and no tobacco or alcohol for four to five days.
• After 48 hours: warm, moist compresses on the cheek can help remaining swelling and stiffness. Ask your dentist first if you are unsure.

Swelling that is not normal

Call us if:

• Swelling keeps increasing after day three instead of starting to go down.
• It becomes hot, hard and very painful, or you notice pus or a foul taste.
• You have fever, chills or feel generally unwell.
• You cannot open your mouth more than a finger's width, or it is getting worse.

Kharadi is open 8 AM to 11 PM, seven days; call 8484 990 678. Go to a hospital emergency department straight away, especially after hours, if swelling spreads towards the eye or down the neck, or you have difficulty breathing or swallowing. See our emergency dentist page.

Swelling versus dry socket

These are different problems. Swelling is usually at its worst around day two and three, then improves. Dry socket usually appears around day two to four as a sharp increase in throbbing pain, often towards the ear, sometimes with very little swelling. Read more about dry socket (alveolar osteitis).

Planning around it

Because swelling peaks on day two or three, avoid scheduling a wedding, a big meeting or travel in the few days after surgery if you can. Many patients book their procedure before a weekend for this reason. Your surgeon will discuss what to expect for your particular tooth when planning with our oral and maxillofacial surgery department.