Post-Op Instructions: Wisdom Teeth Removal

Name: Oral Surgeons of Indiana
Address: 8240 Naab Road, Suite 355, Indianapolis, IN, 46260, US
Telephone: (317) 876-1095
Price range: $$$

At a glance

Most bleeding stops within 4 hours; bite firmly on gauze for 30–45 minutes at a time.
Swelling and stiffness peak on days 2–3, then steadily improve.
Stick to soft, cool foods for 48 hours — no straws, no spitting, no smoking for 7 days to prevent dry socket.
Most desk workers return to school or work in 3–5 days; full healing takes a few weeks.

Recovery timeline

First 4 hours
What to expect: You will feel groggy from sedation. Some oozing of blood is normal and turns the saliva pink — this is not heavy bleeding.
What to do: Bite firmly on the gauze your surgeon placed. Replace it every 30–45 minutes until the saliva runs mostly clear. No rinsing, spitting, or straws.
Hours 4–24
What to expect: Numbness from local anesthetic wears off and a dull ache sets in. You may feel tired and a little nauseated.
What to do: Take ibuprofen on a schedule (do not wait for pain to peak). Apply an ice pack 20 minutes on, 20 minutes off. Sip cool water and eat soft, cool foods.
Day 2
What to expect: Swelling in your cheeks and jaw becomes more visible. Opening your mouth wide feels stiff.
What to do: Continue ice packs and scheduled ibuprofen. Start gentle warm salt-water rinses (1/4 tsp salt in 8 oz warm water) after meals — let it fall out, do not spit forcefully.
Day 3
What to expect: Swelling and jaw stiffness usually peak today. Bruising on the cheek or neck can appear and is harmless.
What to do: Switch from ice to warm, moist compresses on the outside of your face. Keep up with rinses and soft foods. Walk around the house to stay loose.
Days 4–7
What to expect: Swelling steadily fades. Most desk workers and students go back to work or school. Mild soreness is normal.
What to do: Expand your diet to soft pasta, eggs, fish, well-cooked vegetables. Brush gently around the sites. Continue salt-water rinses 4–5 times a day.
Week 2
What to expect: Stitches dissolve or are removed at your follow-up. Most discomfort is gone. You can resume normal exercise.
What to do: Return to your regular brushing and flossing routine, being gentle around the sockets. Call us if any spot still feels swollen, hot, or painful.

Do & don't

Do

Bite firmly on gauze for 30–45 minutes at a time after surgery.
Take ibuprofen on a schedule for the first 48 hours.
Use ice packs (20 min on, 20 min off) for the first 24–48 hours.
Keep your head elevated on two pillows when resting or sleeping.
Start gentle warm salt-water rinses on day 2.
Eat soft, cool foods and stay hydrated with cool drinks.

Don't

No drinking through a straw for 7 days — suction can pull out the clot.
No spitting forcefully, swishing hard, or aggressive rinsing for 24 hours.
No smoking, vaping, or any tobacco for at least 7 days (longer is better).
No alcohol while taking pain medication or for the first 48 hours.
No strenuous exercise, heavy lifting, or swimming for 3–5 days.
No probing the sockets with your tongue, finger, or any object.

What to eat & what to avoid

Eat

Cool yogurt, applesauce, pudding, or cottage cheese
Smoothies eaten with a spoon (no straws)
Lukewarm soups and broths (not hot)
Mashed potatoes, mashed sweet potato, well-cooked oatmeal
Scrambled eggs and soft tofu
Soft pasta, rice, and well-cooked fish after day 3

Avoid

Hot drinks and hot soups for the first 24 hours
Crunchy foods: chips, popcorn, nuts, raw vegetables
Sticky candy, gum, caramel, or anything that can lodge in a socket
Spicy foods that can sting an open wound
Carbonated drinks and alcohol for at least 48 hours
Seeds, granola, and rice in the first week (they like to hide in sockets)

Medications

Ibuprofen
600 mg every 6 hours with food, on a schedule, for the first 48–72 hours unless your surgeon told you otherwise. This is the workhorse — do not skip it.
Acetaminophen
1,000 mg every 6 hours can be alternated with ibuprofen for stronger pain control. Do not exceed 3,000 mg per day from all sources.
Anything else as prescribed by your surgeon
If you were given a prescription antibiotic, anti-nausea, or short course of stronger pain medication, follow that label exactly. Take antibiotics until they are gone, even if you feel fine.

These are general guidelines. Always follow the specific instructions your surgeon gave you. If you are unsure about any dose, call our office.

Frequently asked questions

How do I know if I have a dry socket?

Dry socket usually shows up 3–5 days after surgery as a sudden, throbbing pain that radiates from the socket up to the ear. There may be a bad taste or smell. The pain is not relieved well by ibuprofen. If this sounds like you, call us — we can pack the socket with a soothing dressing the same day.

When can I go back to work or school?

Most patients with desk jobs or schoolwork return in 3–5 days. If your job is physical (lifting, construction, coaching) plan on 5–7 days off. Listen to your body — if you feel exhausted, rest one more day.

I am still bleeding 6 hours later. What do I do?

First, replace the gauze with a fresh, damp pad and bite firmly for a full 45 minutes (no peeking). If that does not work, try biting on a moist tea bag for 30 minutes — the tannic acid helps form a clot. If you are still soaking through gauze every 30 minutes, call us.

Can I brush my teeth tonight?

You can gently brush your front teeth tonight, but stay away from the surgery sites for the first 24 hours. Starting tomorrow, brush all of your teeth carefully and use warm salt-water rinses after meals.

When can I work out again?

Take it easy for 3–5 days. Light walking is fine and even helpful. Avoid running, weightlifting, and anything that gets your heart rate above a brisk walk for the first 5 days, since increased blood pressure can restart bleeding or dislodge the clot.

My lip and chin are still numb the next day — should I be worried?

Long-acting numbing medication can take up to 12 hours to fully wear off. If numbness, tingling, or a 'pins and needles' feeling in your lip, chin, or tongue is still present 24 hours after surgery, call our office and let us know.

Still worried? Call us — we are here.

Our on-call surgeon answers calls 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for our patients. There are no silly questions on the night of surgery. If something does not feel right, please pick up the phone.

Call (317) 876-1095

After hours, your call is routed to the on-call surgeon — a real doctor from our practice, not an answering service.