When Does Pain Go Away After Wisdom Tooth Extraction? Important Information for 2026

Wisdom teeth are easily affected by disease, and when this happens, they often need to be surgically removed. This is a common chairside procedure performed in a dental office, and many people experience discomfort or pain afterward.

In many cases, wisdom teeth are removed quickly and easily. However, in more complex cases, extraction may involve cutting both gum tissue and bone, and the tooth itself may need to be sectioned into smaller pieces. While the surgery itself is usually comfortable for the patient due to anesthesia, it is completely normal to feel some discomfort afterward.

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Why Does My Wisdom Tooth Hurt After Extraction?

Wisdom tooth extraction is a surgical procedure. Gum tissue and bone that hold the tooth in place are often removed, which makes the extraction site very sensitive. Once the local anesthetic wears off, it is normal to feel pain or discomfort in the area. Naturally, the level of discomfort depends largely on how simple or complex the extraction was.

During the first 24 hours, the person will begin to feel pain. This is the acute or mild discomfort caused by tissue and bone trauma. The positive side is that this type of pain is superficial and typically improves as healing progresses. Pain after wisdom tooth extraction usually peaks about 6 hours after the procedure is completed. You may also notice some bruising, swelling, and traces of blood in the mouth.

Any pain caused by wisdom tooth extraction can usually be controlled with over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen. Dentists often recommend applying ice packs at regular intervals to reduce bruising and swelling at the extraction site.

If the extraction was more complicated, the dentist or oral surgeon may prescribe stronger pain medication to help manage discomfort. For this reason, we recommend regular visits to the Dental Center at Al-Batal Specialized Complex in Jeddah, which is equipped with advanced dental technology and highly experienced dentists.

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Why Does My Jaw Hurt After Wisdom Tooth Extraction?

When you have a lower wisdom tooth removed, it can lead to jaw pain. The extraction process can traumatize the muscles around the removed tooth and your jaw. When this occurs, it is called trismus, and it causes a limited ability to open your mouth fully.

Trismus, also known as “lockjaw,” is more likely to occur if you have an impacted wisdom tooth extraction. This means the tooth is partially or completely trapped within the jawbone. In such cases, the dentist must remove bone around the tooth to access and extract it. This can cause trauma to the surrounding muscles and lead to pain and stiffness.

Complications of Lower Wisdom Tooth Extraction

As with any surgical procedure, wisdom tooth removal carries certain risks. However, these risks are usually minor.

Possible risks include:

– Infection at the extraction site  

– Prolonged bleeding  

– Dry socket (alveolar osteitis)  

– Nerve irritation or injury  

– Sinus involvement (for upper wisdom teeth)  

Visit your dentist if you notice signs of infection after wisdom tooth removal, or if you experience heavy or persistent bleeding from the extraction site.

How Long Does Wisdom Tooth Extraction Take?

Most people can expect to spend about 45 minutes to 2 hours in the dental chair for wisdom tooth removal. This time includes numbing the area with anesthesia, performing the extraction, and providing immediate post-operative care and instructions.

Best Painkiller After Wisdom Tooth Extraction

To reduce pain and support healing, it may help to:

– Use pain relievers such as paracetamol (acetaminophen) or ibuprofen.  

– There is some evidence that ibuprofen is one of the most effective over-the-counter pain medications after wisdom tooth extraction, especially when combined with acetaminophen, if recommended by your dentist.

What Should I Do After Wisdom Tooth Extraction?

For the first 24 hours:

– Avoid rinsing, spitting, hot drinks, or anything that could dislodge the blood clot forming in the empty tooth socket. This clot is essential for proper healing.  

– Do not smoke or drink alcohol for at least 24 hours.  

– Eat soft or liquid foods for a few days and chew on the opposite side of your mouth.

Post-Extraction Instructions for Wisdom Teeth

– Get plenty of rest.  

– Avoid any physical exertion during the first 24 hours after your wisdom tooth is removed.  

– Keep your head elevated on comfortable pillows while resting.  

– Avoid sleeping on the same side as the extraction.

Treating Pain After Wisdom Tooth Extraction

Most people recover from wisdom tooth extraction within 3–4 days and can usually resume normal daily activities during this period. However, in more complex cases or when multiple wisdom teeth are removed at once, full recovery may take 7–10 days.

As with any surgical procedure, rest is crucial for faster wound healing. During sleep, the body can produce more white blood cells, which helps fight infection.

For at least the first 24 hours, avoid exercise or strenuous movement. Sit or lie down with your head elevated. Any vigorous activity too soon after extraction can worsen pain and swelling.

If you follow the home care instructions provided by your dentist or oral surgeon, healing should be smooth and relatively quick. The Dental Center at Al-Batal Specialized Complex in Jeddah offers comprehensive guidance and follow-up care in all areas of dentistry.

Pain after wisdom tooth extraction is normal.

I Had My Wisdom Tooth Removed and the Pain Is Still There

As mentioned earlier, a certain degree of discomfort after wisdom tooth extraction is normal and usually subsides within 3–4 days. However, if someone experiences severe pain originating from the extraction site, or pain that continues for more than 10 days, they should contact their dentist or oral surgeon immediately.

When Does Wisdom Tooth Extraction Pain Go Away?

If your wisdom teeth were impacted, full healing may take up to a week or longer. Typically, pain after wisdom tooth extraction lasts from about 3 days to 1 week. If you develop an infection or a dry socket (when the blood clot is dislodged from the extraction site), pain may last longer and be more intense.

When Does Pain Decrease After Non-Surgical Wisdom Tooth Extraction?

You can expect some pain and swelling from wisdom tooth extraction to last around 3–7 days, depending on the type of extraction and your body’s natural healing process. However, with proper use of over-the-counter analgesics, you should not have to suffer significantly during this time.

Treating Jaw Stiffness After Wisdom Tooth Extraction

Jaw stiffness (trismus) may take longer to resolve than pain at the extraction site. Ice packs provided by the office can later be used as warm compresses by heating them in warm water. Be careful not to overheat the packs, as excessive heat can burn the skin.

When Does Bone Heal After Tooth Extraction?

Bone healing begins about one week after extraction. The socket is almost completely filled with new bone tissue at around 10 weeks, and the extraction site is generally filled in by about 4 months. By approximately 8 months after extraction, the edges of the new bone should be well aligned with the surrounding original bone.

My Experience With Non-Surgical Wisdom Tooth Extraction

Ahmed says:

“The first and most important thing you should know is that you must not eat or drink anything for six hours before surgery. Because of this, it’s best to schedule your appointment in the morning. That part wasn’t too bad, though.

Because of my dental anxiety, I chose to have nitrous oxide (laughing gas) along with local anesthesia. The laughing gas itself was very relaxing. My anxiety and nervousness disappeared almost immediately, which should be reassuring for anyone who feels tense about surgery.

I was completely unconscious the whole time and didn’t feel anything. That alone was comforting, since the instruments were the main reason for most of my fear to begin with. My sleep was so deep that I had no sense of time.

Even though the extraction took about an hour, it felt like I just closed my eyes and woke up a few minutes later. It was as if nothing had happened.”

Infection: One of the Main Causes of Wisdom Tooth Pain

Bacterial infection can also cause pain after wisdom tooth removal. This happens when food debris accumulates in the area due to inadequate cleaning. Bacteria within this debris attack the extraction site, leading to pain and discomfort. Other signs that may indicate complications after wisdom tooth removal include:

– Swelling that worsens instead of improving  

– Foul taste or odor from the extraction site  

– Pus or discharge from the area  

– Fever or general malaise  

– Persistent or throbbing pain  

It is worth noting that complications are rare, and millions of wisdom teeth are removed every year without major problems. However, as with any surgery, there are some risks, though they are usually minor.

Most Common Questions

What causes persistent pain after wisdom tooth extraction?

Jaw pain after wisdom tooth removal can result from:

– Postoperative swelling in or around the surgical area and jaw.  

– Inflammation of the surrounding muscles and tissues.  

This can cause pain when moving the jaw or trying to open the mouth widely.

Is wisdom tooth extraction painful?

Generally, the extraction itself should not be painful because the area is numbed with local anesthesia (and sometimes sedation). You may feel some pressure or mild discomfort when your mouth is opened wide during the procedure, but not sharp pain.

Is it okay to rinse with salt water after tooth extraction?

Yes, but not immediately. Typically, dentists advise avoiding rinsing for the first 24 hours. After that, you can gently rinse with warm salt water several times a day to keep the area clean and promote healing, as directed by your dentist.

When should I remove the gauze after tooth extraction?

The gauze pad placed over the extraction site is usually kept in place for about 30–60 minutes, or as instructed by your dentist, to help stop bleeding. In some cases, your dentist may advise you to keep it longer, but it is rarely needed beyond a couple of hours. The next day, you can usually rinse gently and continue normal daily activities, following your dentist’s instructions.

How do I know if the wisdom tooth extraction site is infected?

Signs of infection or inflammation at the extraction site include:

– Severe pain that often begins a few days after extraction and gets progressively worse  

– Increased swelling, redness, or warmth around the area  

– Bad breath or unpleasant taste  

– Possible discharge of pus  

If you notice these symptoms, contact your dentist promptly.

What helps relieve pain after wisdom tooth extraction?

Using pain relievers such as paracetamol (acetaminophen) or ibuprofen helps relieve post-extraction pain. Applying cold packs in the first 24 hours and following all post-operative instructions also significantly reduces discomfort.

If you are considering wisdom tooth extraction and want to know more about post-operative pain and recovery, we recommend visiting the Dental Clinic at Al-Batal Specialized Complex in Jeddah. All dentists there are highly experienced, use the latest dental technologies, and take the time to answer any questions or concerns you may have. Contact them to schedule an appointment.

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