I recently had my surgical wisdom tooth removed, and I’m a bit worried about the swelling. It’s been uncomfortable and I’m not sure how long it’s supposed to last or what’s considered normal. Can you explain how long swelling usually lasts after surgical wisdom tooth extraction and when I should be concerned?
Swelling after surgical wisdom tooth removal is completely normal and typically peaks within the first 48–72 hours, gradually improving over the next 5–7 days. Some mild puffiness can even linger for up to 10 days, especially if the extraction was complex. At Ashford Dental Centre, dentists closely monitor healing after surgery and provide personalised aftercare instructions to keep swelling under control. Applying cold compresses in the first 24 hours, switching to warm compresses after day two, staying hydrated and keeping your head elevated can significantly speed up recovery. However, if swelling worsens after the third day, is accompanied by fever, severe pain, pus or difficulty opening your mouth, you should contact Ashford Dental Centre immediately, as these may indicate an infection or other complications that need urgent care.