How long does pain from a wisdom tooth extraction last

Medically Reviewed by Evan Frisbee, DMD on October 31, 2021

Table of Contents Show

Why Take Them Out?
Before Surgery
During Surgery
After Surgery
How Long Does Pain Last After Tooth Extraction, And How To Prevent It?
Why would I need a tooth extraction?
What kind of tooth extraction pain is “normal”?
How long does pain last after tooth extraction, normally?
How long does pain after wisdom tooth extraction last?
How can I reduce tooth extraction pain?
When should I be worried?

Your dentist says it’s time to remove your wisdom teeth. They may refer you to an oral surgeon, who will do the procedure in their office. It should only take a few days for you to heal and feel back to normal.

Why Take Them Out?

Wisdom teeth are a third set of molars in the back of your mouth. They usually come in between the ages of 17 and 25, and they're spotted on X-rays. Most people have them removed for one of these reasons:

They’re impacted. Because they're so far back in your mouth, wisdom teeth may not come in normally. They can be trapped in your jawbone or gums, which can be painful.

They come in at the wrong angle. They may press against your other teeth.

Your mouth isn’t big enough. Your jaw has no room for an extra set of molars.

You have cavities or gum disease. You may not be able to reach your wisdom teeth with your toothbrush or dental floss.

Before Surgery

You’ll meet with the oral surgeon to talk about the process. At this appointment, make sure you:

Talk about any health problems you have.

List any drugs you take on a regular basis.

Ask any questions you have about the surgery.

Discuss what type of anesthesia you’ll have. You can either be numb or asleep during your surgery.

Plan time off from work or school to have your surgery and rest afterward at home. Set up child care, pet care, or a ride home if needed.

During Surgery

Your surgery should take 45 minutes or less.

You’ll get one of these types of anesthesia so you don’t feel pain during the removal:

Local: Your doctor will numb your mouth with a shot of local anesthetic such as novocaine, lidocaine or mepivicaine. You may also breathe nitrous oxide, or laughing gas, to relax or even doze during surgery. You should feel alert again shortly afterward.

IV sedation: The surgeon will numb your mouth and also give you drugs through a vein in your arm to make you drowsy. You might sleep during the whole procedure.

General: You’ll either get drugs through a vein or breathe gas in through a mask. You’ll be asleep the whole time and might not wake up for an hour or so after the surgery.

Your doctor may have to cut your gums or bone to get the teeth out. If so, they'll stitch the wounds shut so they heal quickly. These stitches usually dissolve after a few days. They may also stuff gauze pads in your mouth to soak up some of the blood.

After Surgery

Everyone responds differently to anesthesia. If you had a local anesthetic and feel alert, you might be able to drive home to begin your recovery. You might even be able to go back to work or do your normal activities. If you had general anesthesia or still feel drowsy, you’ll need someone to drive you home.

Most people have little to no pain after surgery. You'll likely have swelling and mild discomfort for 3 or so days. Your mouth may need a few weeks to completely heal.

Follow your doctor’s instructions for a quicker recovery. Here are some tips for the first 3 days after surgery:

Dos:

Use an ice pack on your face to curb swelling or skin color changes.

Use moist heat for a sore jaw.

Gently open and close your mouth to exercise your jaw.

Eat soft foods like pasta, rice, or soup.

Drink plenty of fluids.

Brush your teeth starting the second day. Don’t brush against any blood clots.

Take the drugs your doctor prescribes to ease pain or swelling.

Call your doctor if you have a fever, or if your pain or swelling doesn’t improve.

Don’ts:

Don’t drink through a straw. Sucking may loosen blood clots that help your mouth heal.

Don’t rinse your mouth too harshly. Your doctor may suggest rinsing gently with saltwater.

Don’t eat hard, crunchy, or sticky foods that may scratch your wounds.

Don’t smoke. Smoking can slow your healing.

How Long Does Pain Last After Tooth Extraction, And How To Prevent It?

Home/How Long Does Pain Last After Tooth Extraction, And How To Prevent It?

How Long Does Pain Last After Tooth Extraction, And How To Prevent It?

While many people shudder when they think about having a tooth extracted, part of the reason for their worry is what happens after the tooth is gone. Dental professionals have done a good job in managing patient pain during an extraction, but afterwards can be more uncertain for a variety of reasons. At AZ Dentist, we know that this fear of pain can cause patients to skip their trip to the dentist, so we are here to answer one of the most commonly-asked questions about this procedure: “How long does pain last after tooth extraction?”

Why would I need a tooth extraction?

For adults, tooth extraction happens for a number of different reasons. Some of the most common reasons for tooth extraction include:

Extensive tooth decay or infection
Periodontal disease
Preparation for orthodontics
Crowded teeth
Injury or trauma to the tooth that results in a necrotic tooth
Emergency tooth extraction

Regardless of the reason, knowing what to expect after extraction can help make the procedure go more smoothly.

What kind of tooth extraction pain is “normal”?

It is difficult to be specific about what type of pain after tooth extraction is considered “normal.” Each patient is very different, both in the type of extraction they will have (which influences pain levels) and in their tolerance to pain itself.

The level and duration of pain can vary tremendously among patients, as can the type of pain. Some patients feel pain that is more like a soreness or a dull ache. There are types of pain that can indicate a larger problem (see below), but in general, soreness that comes from swelling and inflammation is normal and to be expected in the days following your extraction.

How long does pain last after tooth extraction, normally?

For a simple tooth extraction, pain can last between one and three days. Particularly sensitive patients may find a lingering soreness or tenderness in the area for longer – possibly up to a week.

How long does pain after wisdom tooth extraction last?

The pain from wisdom tooth extraction will differ, depending on the extent of the extraction. For a simple wisdom tooth extraction, pain should be about the same as for any other type of tooth extraction, lasting approximately one to three days.

If surgical wisdom tooth extraction is necessary, pain may last a little longer. Surgical extraction may be called for if the wisdom tooth is broken or coming in crooked. In some cases, root tip extraction is necessary when a simple extraction leaves behind the very end of the tooth’s roots. In these cases, pain management is very important.

Expect some soreness from a surgical extraction for at least three days and, in some cases, up to two weeks. Some patients experience a slight increase in pain right around the five-day mark, but in general, you can usually manage this with over-the-counter medications.

Every patient is different, which means every recovery time is different. On average, expect to gradually resume normal activity levels after a week, with a fully healed extraction site in 30 days.

That said, the size of the surgical site changes the length of time it takes to heal. And just because the gums heal does not mean the bone is back to normal underneath. Bone resorption (where the open tooth socket seals up) takes anywhere from six to 12 months.

How can I reduce tooth extraction pain?

The best way to reduce pain after tooth extraction if to follow your doctor’s aftercare instructions to the letter. Many patients may be diligent for the first few days and then begin to abandon their care. This could result in more pain following extraction and even lead to dry sockets.

Other ways to reduce tooth extraction pain from both surgical and simple tooth extractions include:

Follow pain medication directions:Use prescription medications as directed, generally taking ibuprofen as directed for pain management after 48 hours
Apply appropriate pressure to the extraction site to stop bleeding
Rest on the day of the extraction:Following the extraction, avoid strenuous activity for 72 hours after your oral surgery
Protect the clot: Do not use straws, smoke, or otherwise apply any suction to allow a protective clot to form
Eat well: Choose soft but nutritious foods like yogurt, tofu, pasta, scrambled eggs, and soft fruit
Avoid certain foods:Spicy and salty foods can aggravate the wound, while crunchy and hard foods may dislodge the clot
Maintain good oral hygiene:Do not brush for 12 hours after the extraction, then brush gently, avoiding the extraction site

Following these instructions can help reduce your extraction pain and promote healthy, rapid healing.

When should I be worried?

In general, pain after tooth extraction can be managed by prescription pain medication immediately after surgery and then over-the-counter medication thereafter.

Although some pain is to be expected after tooth extraction, there are some instances when a call to your emergency dentist is in order. These include the following:

Throbbing pain after tooth extraction: Throbbing pain that is not managed by pain medications can indicate the presence of dry sockets, a condition that occurs when a clot does not form or is dislodged, exposing the nerves in the tooth.
Prolonged pain after tooth extraction: Prolonged, severe pain after tooth extraction is another symptom of dry sockets. When accompanied by other symptoms, it may also indicate infection.
Jaw pain after tooth extraction: Even for the most complicated surgical extractions, an aching jaw after a day or two can be a cause for concern and warrants a check-in with your dentist.
Radiating pain: Radiating pain is another symptom of dry sockets. This type of pain may spread to the eye, ear, temple, or other part of your face.
Any signs of infection: Excessive swelling, drainage, or redness at the extraction site can be a sign of infection, as can a fever over 101 degrees and a general feeling of being unwell.

How long does pain last after tooth extraction? The answer to that question is highly variable. If a tooth extraction is in your future, give AZ Dentist a call to get answers to all of your questions!