Wisdom teeth removal recovery, day by day
It can take up to 2 weeks to fully recover. Swelling and bruising can last 7 to 10 days, and your dentist may suggest 1 to 2 days off work. Eat soft food for a few days, and don't rinse, spit or have hot drinks for the first 24 hours. A check-up is usually about a week later.
The first 24 hours to two weeks, and when to ring your dentist.
Free to send, no obligation. One registered dentist rings you, not five.
- 24 hoursno rinsing, spitting or hot drinks
- 3–5 dayswhen dry socket can happen
- 7–10 daysof swelling and bruising, at most
- Up to 2 weeksto fully recover
Day by day
- The first 24 hoursDon't rinse, spit or have hot drinks. No alcohol or smoking. Rest, and use the painkillers your dentist recommends.
- Days 1 to 3Soft or liquid food, chewing on the other side. A cold cloth on your face for swelling. After 24 hours, rinse gently with warm salt water or an antiseptic mouthwash, as your dentist recommends, especially after meals. No high-effort exercise for a few days.
- Days 3 to 5This is when dry socket can happen: an intense, throbbing ache and a bad taste. Go back to your dentist if you think you have it.
- About a weekA check-up, and stitches out if they weren't dissolvable.
- 7 to 10 daysFacial bruising and swelling can last this long.
- Up to 2 weeksFull recovery, and jaw bruising can last this long too.
Check what your removal involves
Four quick taps. You see the likely type of removal, the likely cost, the tax relief and your recovery time. Your number is only asked for at the end, if you want an assessment.
Say one lower wisdom tooth is stuck under the gum: that's usually a surgical removal, typically €250 to €420 at Irish practices, plus €50 to €83 for the x-ray, with 20% tax relief back.
How this is worked out
The likely type of removal comes from what you tell us: a tooth that's stuck under the gum, or partly through in the lower jaw, usually needs a small cut in the gum; one that's through and easy to reach usually comes out whole. The prices are the range Irish dental practices publish for a wisdom tooth, per tooth, plus a panoramic x-ray and, if you pick it, IV sedation. Tax relief is 20% of the removal when it's a surgical extraction of an impacted wisdom tooth. The recovery times are the HSE's. It's a guide to plan with, never a diagnosis or a quote: the dentist decides after an examination and an x-ray.
Ring your dentist
- Heavy bleeding.
- Severe pain, or pain that gets worse after a few days.
- Signs of infection: a yellow or white discharge, a temperature of 38°C or more, pain and swelling.
- Numbness or tingling in the tongue, lip or chin that doesn't wear off. In most cases it's temporary, lasting a few weeks or months.
- Jaw stiffness that lasts.
The HSE's recovery guide has more.
Questions people ask
How long does wisdom teeth removal recovery take?
It can take up to 2 weeks to fully recover. Swelling and bruising can last 7 to 10 days, and your dentist may suggest 1 to 2 days off work. Eat soft food for a few days, and don't rinse, spit or have hot drinks for the first 24 hours.
When can I rinse my mouth?
After 24 hours. Then rinse gently with warm salt water or an antiseptic mouthwash, as your dentist recommends, especially after meals.
When can I exercise?
Not for a few days: no high-effort activity or exercise straight after.
Is numbness after wisdom tooth removal normal?
It can happen. In most cases it's temporary, lasting a few weeks or months. Tell your dentist if it doesn't wear off.
Check what your removal involves
Four taps to the likely type, cost and recovery, then one Dental Council registered dentist or oral surgeon who covers your county rings you.