Post-Operative Instructions for a Smooth Recovery

Congratulations on completing your wisdom teeth removal at Prosper Wisdom Teeth & Dental Implants! While the procedure itself is now behind you, proper aftercare is essential for a comfortable recovery and optimal healing. Dr. Graves and our team have prepared this comprehensive guide to help you navigate the days following your surgery with confidence.

The removal of wisdom teeth is a serious surgical procedure, and following these instructions carefully will help minimize unnecessary pain and reduce the risk of complications such as infection, excessive swelling, and dry socket.
Questions or concerns? Call our office at 469-296-8757. For after-hours emergencies, please follow the instructions on our voicemail.

What to Expect: Recovery Timeline

Recovery from wisdom teeth removal varies from patient to patient, but most people feel significantly better within 3-7 days. Here’s a general timeline of what to expect:

Day of Surgery (Day 1)

• Grogginess from anesthesia (if sedation was used)
• Numbness in the lips, chin, and tongue for several hours
• Bleeding that gradually decreases with gauze pressure
• Begin managing swelling with ice packs
• Rest is essential—no strenuous activity

Days 2-3

• Swelling reaches its peak (this is normal)
• Discomfort is typically at its highest
• Bruising may begin to appear
• Continue ice therapy for the first 24-48 hours
• Transition to soft foods

Days 4-5

• Swelling begins to subside
• Pain should start to improve each day
• Jaw stiffness may persist
• If provided, begin using an irrigation syringe

Days 6-7

• Most patients feel significantly better
• Swelling and bruising continue to resolve
• Gradual return to normal diet (avoiding hard/crunchy foods)
• Dissolvable stitches may start to fall out

Weeks 2-4

• Extraction sites continue healing
• Cavities where teeth were removed gradually fill with tissue
• Full healing of the soft tissue typically occurs within 3-4 weeks

Managing Bleeding

Some bleeding following wisdom teeth removal is completely normal. Here’s how to control it:

Gauze Pressure

• Keep the gauze pad placed over the surgical area in place for at least 30-60 minutes after leaving our office
• Bite down with firm, constant pressure—the pressure is what stops the bleeding
• Replace gauze every 20-30 minutes as needed
• When gauze shows only light pink (not bright red), it’s no longer necessary

If Bleeding Persists

• Dampen a regular tea bag with cool water
• Place it directly over the extraction site
• Bite down with firm pressure for 30-45 minutes
• The tannic acid in black tea helps form a clot by contracting blood vessels

To Minimize Bleeding

• Keep your head elevated, even while sleeping (use extra pillows)
• Avoid lying flat for the first 24 hours
• Stay calm and limit physical activity
• Do NOT spit, rinse vigorously, or use straws

When to Call Us Contact our office if bleeding is heavy, continues for more than 4-6 hours despite gauze pressure, or if you’re soaking through gauze pads rapidly.

Managing Swelling

Swelling is your body’s natural response to surgery and is a normal part of the healing process. Here’s what to expect and how to manage it:

What’s Normal

• Swelling may not appear until the day after surgery
• Swelling typically peaks at 48-72 hours post-surgery
• Swelling may cause your cheeks to look “chipmunk-like”
• Bruising (black, blue, green, or yellow discoloration) may develop 2-3 days after surgery and is normal

Ice Therapy (First 24-48 Hours)

• Apply ice packs to the sides of your face over the surgical areas
• Use a cycle of 20 minutes on, 20 minutes off
• Continue icing while awake for the first 24-48 hours
• After 48 hours, ice is no longer effective

After 48 Hours

• Switch to moist heat (warm compress) to help reduce swelling
• Apply for 20 minutes at a time
• Gentle jaw exercises (opening and closing) can help reduce stiffness

Additional Tips

• Keep your head elevated, especially when sleeping
• Take anti-inflammatory medication (ibuprofen) as directed
• Stay hydrated

Managing Pain & Discomfort

Discomfort is expected after wisdom teeth removal, but it can be effectively managed with proper medication and care.

Pain Medication Guidelines

• Begin taking pain medication as soon as you start to feel the anesthesia wearing off—don’t wait until pain becomes severe
• Take all medications with food to prevent nausea
• If Dr. Graves prescribed both ibuprofen and a narcotic pain reliever, they can be taken together for enhanced pain control
• Over-the-counter ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) is often effective for managing post-operative pain

Important Reminders

• Do NOT take aspirin, as it can increase bleeding
• If you are asthmatic, do not take ibuprofen unless you’ve tolerated it before without issues
• Narcotic pain medications will impair your judgment—do not drive, operate machinery, or make important decisions while taking them
• Peak pain typically occurs within the first 72 hours; after this, pain should improve each day

If Pain Worsens After Day 3 Pain that increases rather than decreases after the third day may indicate a dry socket or other complication. Please contact our office at 469-296-8757.

Diet & Nutrition

Proper nutrition supports healing, but you’ll need to modify your diet during recovery. Here’s what to eat—and what to avoid.

Immediately After Surgery

• Wait at least 1-2 hours after surgery before eating to allow blood clots to form
• Start with clear liquids: water, apple juice, broth, or ginger ale
• Avoid hot beverages for the first 24 hours (heat can increase bleeding)

First Week: Soft Foods

Focus on soft, nutritious foods that require minimal chewing:

• Smoothies and milkshakes (NO straws!)
• Yogurt and pudding
• Applesauce
• Mashed potatoes
• Scrambled eggs
• Soup and broth (lukewarm, not hot)
• Oatmeal
• Ice cream
• Cottage cheese
• Macaroni and cheese
• Well-cooked pasta
• Soft fish
• Mashed bananas or avocado

Foods to Avoid for 2 Weeks

• Hard, crunchy foods (chips, nuts, popcorn, pretzels)
• Chewy foods (steak, jerky, tough bread, pizza crust)
• Spicy foods (can irritate surgical sites)
• Acidic foods (tomatoes, citrus)
• Small seeds or grains that can get lodged in extraction sites
• Alcohol (can interact with medications and delay healing)

Hydration

• Drink plenty of fluids to stay hydrated
• Avoid carbonated beverages for the first few days
• DO NOT use straws for at least 5-7 days—the suction can dislodge blood clots and cause dry socket

Oral Hygiene

Keeping your mouth clean is essential for preventing infection, but you’ll need to be gentle around the surgical sites.

Day of Surgery

• Do NOT rinse, spit, or brush your teeth on the day of surgery
• Avoid disturbing the extraction sites with your tongue or fingers

Starting the Day After Surgery

Salt Water Rinses

• Begin gentle salt water rinses the day after surgery
• Mix ½ teaspoon of salt in 8 ounces of warm water
• Rinse gently 4-6 times per day, especially after eating
• Let the water fall out of your mouth rather than spitting forcefully
• Continue salt water rinses for at least one week

Brushing

• Resume brushing your teeth the day after surgery
• Use a soft-bristled toothbrush
• Brush gently, avoiding the surgical sites for the first few days
• Clean all other teeth thoroughly—bacteria and plaque near the extraction sites can delay healing

Irrigation Syringe (If Provided)

• Begin using the irrigation syringe 5-7 days after surgery (or as directed)
• Fill with warm salt water or prescribed mouth rinse
• Gently flush the lower extraction sites to remove food debris
• Continue irrigation until the sockets have closed (usually 2-3 weeks)

Prescription Mouth Rinse If Dr. Graves prescribed an antibacterial mouth rinse (such as Peridex/Chlorhexidine), begin using it as directed—typically the day after surgery. Use twice daily after brushing.

Activity Restrictions

Rest is crucial for proper healing. Overdoing it too soon can lead to increased bleeding, swelling, and prolonged recovery.

Day of Surgery

• Rest completely
• Do NOT drive if you received sedation or narcotic pain medication
• Have a responsible adult stay with you for the first 24 hours

First 3-5 Days

• Avoid all strenuous physical activity
• No exercise, running, weight lifting, or sports
• No bending over or heavy lifting
• Physical activity increases blood pressure, which can cause increased bleeding, swelling, and pain

Returning to Activity

• Light activity can typically resume after 5-7 days
• Listen to your body—if activity causes throbbing or bleeding, stop and rest
• Gradually increase activity level as you feel comfortable

Work and School

• Most patients return to work or school within 3-5 days
• Plan to take it easy, especially if your job involves physical labor

What to Avoid

To protect the blood clots and ensure proper healing, avoid the following:

Dry Socket: Prevention & Signs

Dry socket (alveolar osteitis) is the most common complication after wisdom teeth removal. It occurs when the blood clot protecting the extraction site becomes dislodged or dissolves prematurely, exposing the underlying bone and nerves.

How to Prevent Dry Socket

• Follow all aftercare instructions carefully
• Avoid straws, smoking, and spitting
• Do not disturb the surgical sites
• Eat soft foods and stay hydrated
• Keep your mouth clean with gentle salt water rinses

Signs of Dry Socket

Dry socket typically develops 2-4 days after surgery. Symptoms include:

• Severe, throbbing pain that radiates to the ear, eye, temple, or neck
• Pain that is not relieved by prescribed pain medication
• Visible bone in the socket (white appearance rather than dark blood clot)
• Bad breath or unpleasant taste in the mouth
• Loss of the blood clot (empty-looking socket)

What to Do

If you suspect you have a dry socket, contact our office at 469-296-8757. Treatment typically involves placing a medicated dressing in the socket to promote healing and relieve pain.

Signs of Infection or Complications

While complications are rare, it’s important to know the warning signs. Contact our office if you experience:

• Fever over 101°F that persists beyond the first 24 hours
• Increasing pain after day 3 (pain should improve, not worsen)
• Excessive bleeding that doesn’t respond to gauze pressure
• Difficulty breathing or swallowing
• Pus or unusual discharge from the extraction sites
• Severe swelling that continues to worsen after day 3
• Numbness that persists more than 48 hours after surgery
• Allergic reaction to medication (rash, hives, difficulty breathing)

Common Post-Operative Symptoms (Normal)

Don’t be alarmed by these common occurrences—they’re all part of the normal healing process:

Jaw Stiffness (Trismus) Difficulty opening your mouth fully is common and usually resolves within a few days to a week. Gentle stretching exercises can help.

Sore Throat Swelling of the muscles near the surgical sites can cause a sore throat and pain when swallowing. This typically subsides within 2-3 days.

Bruising Discoloration of the skin (black, blue, green, or yellow) may appear 2-3 days after surgery as blood spreads beneath the tissue. Moist heat can help speed resolution.

Cracked Lips If your lips become dry or cracked from being stretched during surgery, apply Vaseline or lip balm frequently.

Bony Projections You may feel hard, sharp edges in your mouth with your tongue. These are the bony walls that supported the tooth and usually smooth out on their own.

Loose Stitches Dissolvable sutures typically fall out within 5-7 days. If a stitch comes loose, simply remove it from your mouth and discard it—this is not cause for alarm.

White/Gray Tissue The healing tissue in your extraction sites may appear white, gray, or yellowish. This is normal granulation tissue and is part of the healing process—not a sign of infection.

Frequently Asked Questions

Contact Us

If you have questions about your recovery or experience any concerning symptoms, please don’t hesitate to reach out. We’re here to help ensure your healing goes smoothly.

Prosper Wisdom Teeth & Dental Implants

Phone: 469-296-8757

For non-urgent questions, you may also email our office. For emergencies after regular business hours, please call our main number and follow the instructions provided.