The worst is over in a couple of days; full settling takes up to two weeks.
NHS guidance says pain and swelling peak early and should start improving after 1 to 2 days, with possible cheek bruising, a stiff jaw, and sore chewing for up to 2 weeks. Most people resume normal activities the next day; a difficult extraction or general anaesthetic means 1 to 3 days off. The recovery kit is simple: acetaminophen or ibuprofen, soft or liquid food until chewing is comfortable, and gentle warm salty-water rinses to keep the socket clean. Protect the blood clot in the socket: no smoking, no straws, no vigorous spitting, because a lost clot means dry socket and a fresh wave of pain.
What to do
Common questions
What is wisdom teeth recovery like?
Expect a rough first two days, then steady improvement over about two weeks. The NHS says most people can go back to normal activities the day after wisdom tooth removal, but if the teeth were difficult to remove or you had a general anaesthetic, plan 1 to 3 days off. For up to two weeks you can expect some pain and swelling, which should start improving after day one or two, possible bruising on the cheek, a sore stiff jaw, and uncomfortable chewing and swallowing. The routine that helps: acetaminophen or ibuprofen for pain, soft or liquid food until chewing feels OK, gentle rinsing with mouthwash or warm salty water to keep the wound clean, and no smoking or sucking through straws, since losing the blood clot from the socket leads to dry socket, which is the main cause of pain that gets worse instead of better around day three. Dissolvable stitches disappear on their own. Get urgent dental help for bleeding that does not stop, pain and swelling that are severe or worsening, a fever, or a bad taste that will not shift.