Swelling After Wisdom Tooth Extraction: How Can You Reduce It Quickly?

Wisdom teeth often do not have enough space to grow, or they grow at an angle.

As a result, part of the tooth may remain buried under the gums,

or it may grow while pushing against the neighboring tooth.

In cases like these,

inflammation may recur,

and food can get trapped easily,

so extraction is often considered.

When a wisdom tooth is extracted,

the gums and surrounding tissues are irritated,

so swelling or pain may appear for a certain period of time.

It may help to understand this as a natural reaction

that occurs during the body’s recovery process.

However, when I meet patients in the clinic,

many people preparing for wisdom tooth extraction ask,

“Will there be a lot of swelling after the extraction?”

In fact, many people worry about whether their face will swell or whether they will feel pain after having a wisdom tooth removed.

Today, let’s take a look at swelling after wisdom tooth extraction!

We’ll talk about how to reduce it quickly.

The prescribed medication

must be taken through to the end! After wisdom tooth extraction,

medication is often prescribed

to control pain and inflammation.

This medication helps relieve swelling and pain,

and you should take it exactly as instructed

until you have finished it.

Sometimes, when the pain decreases,

people stop taking the medication

on their own.

In such cases, discomfort may return

during the recovery process,

so please follow the medical staff’s instructions

and take it properly as directed.

Cold compresses are helpful

right after the extraction! The most important time for reducing swelling after wisdom tooth extraction

is right after the procedure.

During this period,

applying a cold compress is helpful.

For about one or two days after the extraction,

you can use an ice pack or a cold compress.

Cold temperatures help constrict blood vessels,

which can help reduce the worsening of swelling

to some extent.

However, do not apply ice directly to the skin.

Wrap it in a towel or cloth,

and use the ice pack provided by the dental clinic.

For a few days after the extraction,

a low-stimulation routine is needed! To help the swelling go down quickly

after the extraction,

it is also important to avoid activities

that place too much strain on daily life.

For example, on the day of the extraction,

it is best to avoid intense exercise, saunas,

and hot baths.

If your body temperature rises,

blood circulation becomes more active,

which can make swelling worse.

Also, when eating,

it is best to avoid food that is too hot or too hard.

Eating soft foods and getting used to chewing on the opposite side

helps reduce irritation at the extraction site.

Sleep and rest are also important factors

in managing swelling.

If you have a hectic schedule,

overdo activities, or continue to lack sleep,

recovery may slow down,

so please be careful for a few days after the extraction.

Also, touching the extraction site with your hands

or repeatedly poking it with your tongue

can delay wound healing,

so it is best to avoid this as much as possible.

Swelling after wisdom tooth extraction Swelling after wisdom tooth extraction

Swelling and pain after wisdom tooth extraction

usually gradually improve

after a certain amount of time.

If you take the prescribed medication regularly,

apply cold compresses,

and avoid irritating habits,

you will likely recover more quickly.

In addition, please follow the precautions

you were given after the extraction

so that you can recover quickly! 💛

Seoul Ob Dental Hospital

4th and 5th floors, 196 Baekjegobun-ro, Songpa-gu, Seoul