Getting your wisdom teeth removed can stir up a lot of concerns at once — questions about pain, swelling, time off work or school, and even the budget impact of tooth extraction costs with insurance. If you’re feeling a little anxious or unsure, that’s not surprising. It’s completely normal to want clear, simple guidance you can follow without overthinking.
Look at the week after your extraction as a series of small, gentle steps. Your goal should be to stay comfortable, protect your healing tissues, and give your body what it needs. The plan below breaks the week into manageable steps, so you can feel better day by day while staying on top of the details that matter to you.
The first 24 hours: protect the clot and rest
During the first 24 hours, you should get lots of rest. Your top job is to let a protective blood clot form in each empty tooth socket — that clot is what kickstarts healing.
-
Bite gently on the gauze your dentist provided if you experience bleeding, changing it as directed until the area settles and bleeding subsides.
-
Rest with your head elevated on pillows; this helps limit swelling.
-
Use ice packs on and off (about 20 minutes at a time) for the first day to keep puffiness down.
-
Avoid using straws, smoking, spitting, or vigorous rinsing — all of these can dislodge the clot and raise your risk of dry socket.
-
Stick to cool, soft foods like yogurt, applesauce, smoothies (with a spoon), and lukewarm broths.
These first-day basics show up consistently in dentist aftercare instructions and are the foundation of a smooth recovery.
Day 2–3: Clean gently and keep swelling in check
As tenderness peaks and then starts to ease, here’s what you should do:
-
Begin gentle saltwater rinses (¼–½ teaspoon salt in a cup of warm water) a few times a day and after meals — tip your head down and let the water spill out; don’t spit forcefully.
-
Brush the rest of your teeth as usual, but be extra careful around the extraction sites.
-
Continue sleeping with your head slightly elevated and keeping activity light; walking around your home is fine, heavy workouts should wait.
-
Take prescribed or recommended pain relievers as directed and pair meds with a small snack to reduce nausea.
This approach keeps bacteria down around the sites without disturbing new tissue. When paired with proper positioning and appropriate medication, swelling and soreness can stay manageable.
Eating for healing: what to choose (and what to avoid)
Your body repairs itself best when it’s well-fed and hydrated, but you’ll want foods that don’t make your mouth work too hard.
-
Great picks: Smoothies (no seeds), protein shakes, mashed potatoes, scrambled eggs, oatmeal (after it cools), cottage cheese, soft pasta, and tender fish.
-
Skip for now: Very hot, spicy, crunchy, or sticky foods; nuts and seeds that can lodge in a socket; carbonated alcohol, or any drinks through a straw.
Aim for small, frequent meals and plenty of water. Re-introduce chewier textures slowly as your tenderness fades. This soft, nutrient-dense approach is frequently recommended in clinical aftercare guides.
Comfort care that actually helps
A few low-effort habits can make a noticeable difference:
-
Ice early, then switch to warmth later. Cold helps tame swelling in the first 24 to 48 hours. After that, a warm (not hot) compress can soothe tight jaw muscles.
-
Jaw mobility matters. Gently open and close your mouth to avoid stiffness a few times a day.
-
Take medications on schedule. Whether you were advised to use acetaminophen, ibuprofen, or a prescription, staying ahead of pain is easier than chasing it.
-
Keep your follow-up. Your dentist will check your healing progress, remove any non-dissolving stitches if needed, and clear you for normal activity.
These small routines help reduce soreness and get you back to normal more quickly.
Habits to avoid temporarily
Certain habits can slow healing, so consider this your list of things to avoid for the week:
-
No straws or smoking/vaping. They create suction that can pull a clot out of the socket it’s protecting.
-
No vigorous swishing liquid, spitting, or using mouthwash with alcohol in the first couple of days.
-
No high-intensity workouts until your dentist gives the all-clear.
-
No poking the area with your tongue or fingers (tempting, but not helpful).
These are standard cautions designed to protect the clot and new tissue.
Red flags: when to call your dentist
Some discomfort and swelling are normal. Get in touch with your dentist if you notice worsening pain after initial improvement, a bad taste/odor, persistent bleeding, or fever, or if you suspect the clot has come out (dry socket pain often feels deep and intense). Your care team would rather hear from you early than have you wait it out.
Dental insurance coverage and planning
While your focus right now should be on healing, it’s understandable to wonder about dental insurance and if it covers extractions, anesthesia, and follow-up. Coverage varies widely by plan, so it’s worth reviewing your benefits summary or calling the number on your card to confirm what’s included and whether there’s a waiting period or annual maximum. If you don’t have coverage, ask your dentist’s office about payment plans or phased care for any additional treatment you might need.
The bottom line
Recovering from wisdom teeth surgery is rarely anyone’s idea of fun, but it doesn’t have to be miserable. With a little savvy and self-kindness, such as resting early, cleaning gently, feeding your body well, and avoiding the few habits that disrupt healing, many people feel noticeably better within a few days and keep improving from there. You’ve got this, and your care team is there if you need them.
Content within this article is provided for general informational purposes and is not provided as
tax, legal, health, or financial advice for any person or for any specific situation. Employers,
employees, and other individuals should contact their own advisers about their situations. For
complete details, including availability and costs of Aflac insurance, please contact your local
Aflac agent.
Aflac coverage is underwritten by American Family Life Assurance Company of Columbus. In New York, Aflac coverage is underwritten by American Family Life Assurance Company of New York.
लेखक
