Recovery after wisdom tooth removal: day by day

The ranges here come from the NHS and from leaflets by Hull and Leeds teaching hospitals. They describe averages. A tooth that came out quickly under local anaesthetic will usually feel different from an impacted tooth removed under general anaesthetic with bone drilled away, and Leeds suggests allowing one to two weeks to feel better in the second case.

Written aftercare from the surgery or hospital that treated you takes priority. If it differs from this page, follow it and ask them why.

The NHS says pain and swelling typically improve after one or two days, and that the jaw may be sore and stiff for up to two weeks. Hull describes swelling peaking on days two to three and some temporary difficulty opening the mouth, called trismus. Leeds mentions pain lasting two to three days and bruising on the face and neck.

The socket fills with a blood clot that protects the healing bone, and the NHS warns against brushing the area early so as not to damage clots or stitches. Hull says that if bleeding persists you can bite on a gauze pad for 20 minutes.

Ibuprofen and paracetamol are used for pain, as described by Hull, unless your health or other medicines make them unsuitable for you.

Eat soft food at first and chew on the other side. Hull advises soft foods initially. Leeds says to brush twice a day and, after the first 24 hours, to rinse with warm salt water three to four times a day. The NHS cautions against brushing the extraction site early, to avoid damaging stitches or clots.

Leeds advises avoiding smoking for five days and alcohol until you have healed.

The NHS says you can usually return to normal activities the day after, and that a more difficult extraction may need one to three days off work. Leeds says people may feel sore and tired and need one to two weeks to feel better, so it is sensible to avoid planning important events straight after, which Hull also advises.

On driving, the NHS says not for 48 hours after a general anaesthetic or for 24 hours after a sedative injection. GOV.UK separately says you must tell the DVLA if you have had an operation and are unable to drive three months later, which is rarely relevant here. Check your insurer if you are unsure.

Avoid strenuous exercise for the first few days while the socket settles and swelling peaks, then return as comfort allows.

Hull says stitches normally dissolve on their own in one to two weeks, so they rarely need removal. Your surgeon may arrange a check, particularly after a surgical extraction. If you were told about nerve risk beforehand, report any numbness or tingling in the lip, chin, tongue or taste, because the NHS says it usually gets better but can last a few weeks or months.

• Bleeding that does not stop after firm pressure on gauze: call the surgery or NHS 111, and go to A&E if heavy.

• Severe or worsening pain or swelling not controlled by painkillers, or pain with a bad taste, a high temperature or feeling unwell: contact your dentist or surgeon (NHS advice).

• Pain getting worse from about the third to the tenth day: possible dry socket, say the Hull leaflet; contact the surgeon.

• Swelling that makes it hard to breathe or swallow: call 999.