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Wisdom teeth removal recovery

34 replies

Thenthatsthatthen · 29/10/2025 15:46

Having 6(apparently I have extras!) wisdom teeth removed under general anaesthetic next week. 3 are badly impacted and may need the two bottom molars removed due to damage done by said wisdom teeth.

Any top tips for recovery? Already stocked up on paracetamol.

OP posts:
SisSuffragette · 29/10/2025 15:50

Just try and sleep as much as you can. I ended up taking 3 days off work I didn't know much how discomfort I would be in. Smoothies, soups, noodles were a life saver.

OvernightBloats · 29/10/2025 15:57

I have just had my lower wisdom tooth removed 5 days ago! Face is still swollen but the swelling is going down.

If you are having 6 (!!) extracted, expect your face to be very, very swollen.

Ibuprofen as well as paracetamol is recommended as Ibuprofen is an anti-inflammatory.

Plan what you are going to eat for the following week. Make sure you have the food in so you don't have to go to the shop if you don't want. First day I just had a banana smoothie and then for the next three days, I had Greek yogurt for breakfast and then soups for lunch and dinner. Foods need to be soft whatever you eat.

Good luck!

Arlanymor · 29/10/2025 16:02

I had four out a while ago - prepare to look like a hamster for a week. Gargling with salt water helps with the healing and to get rid of the tang of blood - not on the day of the surgery though, you can start 24 hours later.

The hospital discharged me with lovely floaty painkillers but they were massive, so I had to get one of those pill cutters so that I could take it in two parts.

Don't wear your best pyjamas as you could dribble some blood in your sleep - I put a towel on my pillow and thankfully it was minimal.

Foodwise I had clear soup and plain yoghurt for the first few days (nothing with bits in it that can get lodged in the gaps!) and graduated to noodles about three days after surgery.

I was pleasantly surprised to look less chihuahua-like the first time I looked in the mirror as my wisdoms had been pushing my other teeth together and making them overlap. So be prepared to look like a supermodel(!)

Hope your recovery is swift - it was one of the best things I ever did as I used to get a really clicky jaw.

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BBear · 29/10/2025 16:14

Odd warning that you may have a bruise on your chest -the surgeon apologised but they were so impacted he had to yank them out using my sternum as a lever! Paper straws were useful in getting liquids right to the back of the throat also I used soluble paracetamol and gargled w it before swallowing helps direct pain in mouth. Good luck

FuzzyWolf · 29/10/2025 16:19

My four were impacted (thankfully no extra ones!) and I had them all out under a GA. I was given preventive antibiotics and they were the worst of it because they made me vomit due to lack of food. I did eat the evening I was discharged and had to keep it up for the meds.

My cheeks really ached for a while, probably from being stretched so much and the insides of my cheeks stung due to the stitching.

Hopefully all goes well.

beadystar · 29/10/2025 16:22

Make or buy yourself some soup (no bits) in advance; you won’t be eating much else for a few days. Stock up on painkillers. I only had one out and was ok with pain but with 6 (!) you might need help.

TrainersEverywhere · 29/10/2025 16:28

Use a long woollen scarf looped under your chin and tied in a bow on top of your head. Looks ridiculous but gives relief and helps hold your jaw up. Also feels cosy.

Tillow4ever · 29/10/2025 16:33

BBear · 29/10/2025 16:14

Odd warning that you may have a bruise on your chest -the surgeon apologised but they were so impacted he had to yank them out using my sternum as a lever! Paper straws were useful in getting liquids right to the back of the throat also I used soluble paracetamol and gargled w it before swallowing helps direct pain in mouth. Good luck

I was told categorically you must NOT use a straw for the first few days as it can dislodge the blood clot and this can cause something nasty that I can’t remember the name of (dry socket or something like that).

FuzzyWolf · 29/10/2025 17:26

Tillow4ever · 29/10/2025 16:33

I was told categorically you must NOT use a straw for the first few days as it can dislodge the blood clot and this can cause something nasty that I can’t remember the name of (dry socket or something like that).

Yes, I was advised the same about straws. I’m not entirely sure how my numb mouth would have managed to use one either.

Thenthatsthatthen · 29/10/2025 18:13

Thank you all. Definitely no straws.

Ibuprofen is now on the list! The consultant never mentioned it… only paracetamol. I wonder why?

OP posts:
beadystar · 29/10/2025 19:55

Another one- you’ll be told to rinse with salt water. Make some in advance and keep it in the fridge so it’s nice and cold. You won’t be up to much for a few days so do any housework in advance. I was glad to come home to clean sheets and pjs as I slept a lot the next day.

Arlanymor · 29/10/2025 19:59

BBear · 29/10/2025 16:14

Odd warning that you may have a bruise on your chest -the surgeon apologised but they were so impacted he had to yank them out using my sternum as a lever! Paper straws were useful in getting liquids right to the back of the throat also I used soluble paracetamol and gargled w it before swallowing helps direct pain in mouth. Good luck

Yes straws to angle liquid - how could I forget that? Good call! But only a few days in if I remember, not from day one as you could dislodge clots. I think 48 hours?

Justcallmedaffodil · 29/10/2025 20:04

I’m having a single wisdom tooth removed next month and had the consult with my dentist a week ago. He specifically mentioned to avoid soup in the few days post-recovery, along with any other hot liquids. Other soft foods (egg, pasta, yogurt etc) all fine.

beadystar · 29/10/2025 20:05

I was told 4-7 days before you’re out of the risk for dry socket. Apparently bottom wisdoms are more prone to it. No straws!

Carrotco · 29/10/2025 20:06

Do not eat crisps until the holes have fully healed! Getting a sharp edge jammed in the empty socket is particularly painful.

Bananafofana · 29/10/2025 20:09

I was overnight in hospital then off work for a week. It looked like I’d been badly beaten up - horrible yellow and purple bruises so it was a bit awkward leaving the house due to sympathetic looks.

Pretty sure I had codiene and ibuprofen, not just Paracetemol. It’s the anaesthetist who advises on post op pain relief not the surgeon so talk to them when you do your pre op anaesthetic chat. They can write the prescription for anything stronger than paracetamol.

Aparecium · 29/10/2025 20:25

Be prepared for what will appear to you as outrageous swelling and spectacular bruising. The swelling increased for a few days, from my cheekbones to under my jawbone. I could not open my mouth properly or chew, so I lived on soup, liquidised/mashed food, milkshakes and ice-cream for nearly a week. The bruising appeared as the swelling went down. It tracked down the sides of my neck to my collarbones. It was not painful, but looked very Halloween 😆

The pain was really not too bad. Much better than other procedures I have had. I had a pain relief injection shortly after I awoke, but needed only paracetamol after that. Have a couple of extra pillows available to help you get comfy at night.

I had 4 out in one go under GA. The bottom two were very inconveniently positioned on their sides and pointing slightly downwards. The surgeon cut them up and removed them in pieces, rather than cut away more of my jaw bone. I could use a straw because I was not at risk of dry socket. The teeth had not yet come through the gum, so there was no hole in it and the sides of the wounds were completely sewn together with dissolving stitches. But the swelling made the stitches uncomfortable and I ended up sucking at one of them until it burst - instant relief.

Nearly 2 weeks after the op, I was at work one morning and noticed that my reflection in the computer screen looked odd. The swelling seemed to be coming back. By the time I went home I was definitely swollen, though I still felt OK. But I called the number I had been given for after-care, who said I had an infection and prescribed antibiotics. By then it was late in the evening. My dad has to drive quite a way to the nearest all-night pharmacy to collect the antibiotics. By the time he got back home I was running a temperature and beginning to feel ill. So I was quite glad I had not waited until I felt ill before calling.

Hope all this does not worry you and that your op and recovery go smoothly.

Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr · 29/10/2025 20:29

Definitely do the salt water rinses. I got a bit lazy and then got an awful infection.

Bluenose1966 · 29/10/2025 20:33

Tillow4ever · 29/10/2025 16:33

I was told categorically you must NOT use a straw for the first few days as it can dislodge the blood clot and this can cause something nasty that I can’t remember the name of (dry socket or something like that).

Yes definitely don’t use straws. I wasn’t aware of this advice after wisdom tooth extraction and used a straw. Ended up with Dry Socket which is the most agonising pain imaginable.

Hoardasurass · 29/10/2025 20:37

Forget about paracetamol you want ibuprofen and cocodamol and soup/soft foods that don't require chewing

Hoardasurass · 29/10/2025 20:46

Arlanymor · 29/10/2025 16:02

I had four out a while ago - prepare to look like a hamster for a week. Gargling with salt water helps with the healing and to get rid of the tang of blood - not on the day of the surgery though, you can start 24 hours later.

The hospital discharged me with lovely floaty painkillers but they were massive, so I had to get one of those pill cutters so that I could take it in two parts.

Don't wear your best pyjamas as you could dribble some blood in your sleep - I put a towel on my pillow and thankfully it was minimal.

Foodwise I had clear soup and plain yoghurt for the first few days (nothing with bits in it that can get lodged in the gaps!) and graduated to noodles about three days after surgery.

I was pleasantly surprised to look less chihuahua-like the first time I looked in the mirror as my wisdoms had been pushing my other teeth together and making them overlap. So be prepared to look like a supermodel(!)

Hope your recovery is swift - it was one of the best things I ever did as I used to get a really clicky jaw.

I never had a clicky jaw until after I had my wisdom teeth out but they had to cut a piece of my jaw off and cut the tooth into 4 to get it out.

menopausalmare · 29/10/2025 20:47

Stay away from sweetcorn, unless you fancy picking it out of your sockets with a pair of tweezers.

Arlanymor · 29/10/2025 20:47

Hoardasurass · 29/10/2025 20:46

I never had a clicky jaw until after I had my wisdom teeth out but they had to cut a piece of my jaw off and cut the tooth into 4 to get it out.

Ouch! Mine happened before, that’s how they knew it was becoming an issue. Teefs can be bad news!

Tillow4ever · 29/10/2025 20:58

Justcallmedaffodil · 29/10/2025 20:04

I’m having a single wisdom tooth removed next month and had the consult with my dentist a week ago. He specifically mentioned to avoid soup in the few days post-recovery, along with any other hot liquids. Other soft foods (egg, pasta, yogurt etc) all fine.

This makes me laugh because I had 2 wisdom teeth out under general and the meal I got before I could leave was tomato soup with a crusty roll 😂😂😂

Arlanymor · 29/10/2025 20:59

Tillow4ever · 29/10/2025 20:58

This makes me laugh because I had 2 wisdom teeth out under general and the meal I got before I could leave was tomato soup with a crusty roll 😂😂😂

Reminds me a bit of ye olde ‘jelly and ice cream’ after a tonsillectomy. I had to eat two dry slices of toast to scrape away the initial dead tissue before I was allowed home. Razor blades! But it worked!

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