Wisdom Teeth Extraction Recovery in Las Vegas — What To Expect After Surgery
After having your wisdom teeth extracted, the importance of a careful recovery process cannot be overstated. Careful aftercare helps to prevent dry socket symptoms after extraction, promotes healing, and minimizes pain and complications.
At Absolute Dental, we strive to offer expert aftercare advice, have a fantastic local reputation, and are dedicated to patient comfort and optimal healing.
If you’re worried about what to eat after wisdom teeth removal, how to avoid dry sockets, and how to have the smoothest extraction experience, here’s what to expect after having your wisdom teeth taken out, and what wisdom teeth recovery day-by-day looks like.
The typical recovery period after having your wisdom teeth extracted lasts approximately seven to ten days. Complete healing of extraction sites may take up to two to three weeks for most patients.
The recovery timeline is influenced by a number of factors, including the number of teeth removed, the severity of your impaction, your age (younger people often heal more quickly), and importantly, how closely you adhere to aftercare instructions.
Most people can return to work or school within a week. However, vigorous activity, smoking, alcohol, and straws should be avoided for at least the first seven days.
Wisdom Teeth Recovery Timeline — Day-By-Day
Here’s what to expect day-to-day during the typical recovery process:
Day 1: Rest, use ice packs, manage bleeding with gauze, keep head elevated.
Days 2 to 3: Your swelling and pain will likely peak. Continue to use ice packs and your prescribed or over-the-counter pain medication. Slight bleeding and bruising is normal at this stage.
Days 4 to 7: Swelling and bruising should begin to subside. Transition to warm salt water rinses, and continue careful oral hygiene. Low-impact activity may resume.
Week 2: Stitches (if non-dissolving) may be removed. Most swelling and pain should be resolved by this time. Continue careful oral hygiene and eating habits.
2 to 3 weeks: Full healing should occur. At this stage you can generally resume your normal diet and activity. Underneath the surface, your bone and gum tissue should continue remodeling for several more weeks.
When to call a dentist: You should schedule an emergency dental appointment if you have any persistent or severe pain or excessive bleeding, or if you develop a fever or signs of infection.
Take advantage of our limited-time offer and enjoy 20% off your general dentistry treatment plan. At Absolute Dental, we’re committed to delivering expert, affordable care that prioritizes your smile. Hurry—this promotion ends on 12/31/26! Schedule your appointment today to experience top-quality dental solutions designed just for you.
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Swelling and Bruising After Wisdom Tooth Removal
After surgery, some swelling and bruising are normal. A typical wisdom teeth swelling and bruising timeline is as follows:
Swelling generally peaks at 48 to 72 hours post-surgery, then gradually improves over three to five days.
Some bruising around the jaw or neck area is common and fades within a week.
Minimize swelling with an ice pack application to the outside of the cheek at 20-minute intervals during the first 24 to 36 hours. After this, switch to moist heat, such as a washcloth soaked in warm water.
To minimize facial swelling, make sure to elevate your head when resting. Also try to avoid bending or strenuous activity, which can inflame facial swelling.
Symptoms To Watch For — When To Call Your Dentist
While some pain and swelling is natural after having your wisdom teeth removed, there are some symptoms that indicate a problem your dentist should know about.
One of the most painful issues associated with wisdom teeth removal is called dry sockets. These happen when the blood clot protecting the extraction site is pulled out. Symptoms can include a dull, throbbing pain at the site, a bad taste in the mouth, and exposed bone. Dry sockets are particularly painful, and you should always tell your dentist if you suspect them.
Other symptoms your dentist should know about include:
Persistent or excessive bleeding
Pus or discharge from the mouth
Fever
Difficulty breathing or swallowing
Worsening pain that goes beyond day four or five
Wisdom Tooth Extraction Stitches Care
Most procedures now use dissolvable stitches, which simply dissolve in your mouth. Some, however, still require removal after seven to ten days. Your dentist will tell you which you have.
You should also avoid poking or dislodging stitches with your tongue or food, and perform gentle salt water rinses after 24 hours to promote healing. If your stitches come undone early or if there is persistent oozing, notify your provider.
Pain Relief and Medications After Wisdom Teeth Surgery
Short-term use of prescription pain meds may be used for severe cases. You should always take all prescribed or recommended pain medications as directed, but avoid aspirin, which may increase bleeding risk.
Ice packs can also help to reduce initial pain and swelling, but never place ice directly on the skin; first, wrap ice packs in a towel.
What To Eat After Wisdom Teeth Extraction
After wisdom tooth extraction, focus on soft, cool foods for the first two to three days. You can try yogurt, applesauce, mashed potatoes, smoothies, scrambled eggs, and lukewarm soup.
Avoid spicy, crunchy, sticky, or chewy foods until fully healed, and gradually reintroduce more solid foods as swelling and tenderness subside.
You should also remember to hydrate well with lots of non-alcoholic and non-caffeinated beverages, but never use straws. Sucking on straws can loosen the blood clots protecting the extraction site and cause dry sockets.
We Accept Most Dental Insurance
Absolute Dental is a preferred provider for most insurances, unions, and hotels that include: Aetna, Ameritas, Boon-Chapman, Caesars Palace, Cigna, Delta Dental, Diversified, Geha, Guardian, Harrah’s, HealthSCOPE Benefits, Health Plan of Nevada (HPN), Humana, Liberty, Met-Life, MGM-MIRAGE, Premier Access, The Standard, Station Casinos, Teachers Health Trust, United Concordia, United Healthcare, Venetian, and The Zenith. We also accept Medicaid.
If you do not see your dental insurance listed here, just give us a call to confirm!
Why Choose Absolute Dental for Wisdom Tooth Extraction and Aftercare in Las Vegas?
At Absolute Dental, our skilled oral surgeons and gentle staff provide comprehensive pre- and post-operative care, including follow-up visits and urgent complications management. For all of our patients, we provide detailed recovery instructions, 24/7 emergency support, and local experience, with thousands of successful extractions.
Our core values focus on patient education, comfort, flexible scheduling, and insurance-friendly plans. For all of your wisdom teeth extraction needs, call Absolute Dental.
The worst swelling and pain varies between people, but generally two to three days after surgery the swelling and pain will be at their worst. If swelling and pain keeps increasing after day four, contact your dentist.
You can generally begin easing into your normal routine after about a week or ten days. However, for the first few weeks, you should still avoid certain activities, such as strenuous exercise or heavy lifting.
Symptoms of dry sockets include a dull, throbbing pain, bad taste in the mouth, and visible bone in the socket. If your pain is still getting worse after day three or four, contact your dentist.
