Wisdom Tooth Swelling: Effective Post-Extraction Relief & Recovery

After you get your wisdom tooth pulled or extracted, you may need to deal with a number of things shortly after the dental surgery. One of those issues is swelling. There are a few ways swelling can be reduced after an extraction.

Apply a Cold Compress

• Use a cold compress on your jaw and cheek. A cold compress can be a frozen package of peas, a frozen gel pack or an ice pack (see Reference 3). Apply the cold compress to your cheek. Hold it to your cheek for 20 minutes and then remove for 10 minutes and repeat.

Apply Moist Heat

• Apply moist heat to your cheek, after 36 hours of post-surgery (see reference 2). Usually, swelling increases in the first 72 hours, then swelling subsides. Be aware that swelling can last for several days. This is normal.

Other Recommendations

• Rinse your mouth with warm salt water every couple of hours. Avoid touching the wound were you had the tooth or teeth removed. Ask your dentist what else you can do to control swelling.