How to make wisdom teeth swelling go down

Can you make wisdom teeth swelling go down overnight?

Not really. Swelling is part of normal healing, and the sources we read describe it as building before it improves. Healthline's recovery guide says swelling, pain and bruising may peak around days 2 to 4 and then level off and begin to fade. Cleveland Clinic's recovery page expects swelling in days 1 to 3 and less by days 4 to 7, and says it should ease within about a week.

What you can do is limit it and be patient. Cold, rest and keeping your head raised are the measures the sources recommend, and they work best when you start straight after surgery.

Cold packs: how and when

Cleveland Clinic says to wrap an ice pack in a clean towel, place it on your face, leave it on for 20 minutes and then take it off for 20 minutes, repeating several times a day. In its guide to recovering from oral surgery it says cold packs help during the first 24 hours. Other NHS trust leaflets give different windows for icing, such as the first 12 hours or the first 24 to 48 hours, so ask your surgeon how long they want you to keep it up.

Do not put ice directly on your skin. If the cold becomes uncomfortable, take a break.

Keep your head raised

Cleveland Clinic says to prop extra pillows under your head while resting, because keeping it raised helps with swelling, and its oral surgery guide says sleeping and sitting upright can also help. Healthline likewise suggests an extra pillow at night. The Kent NHS leaflet suggests covering your pillow with a towel overnight, which also helps with any oozing.

Rest and what to avoid

Cleveland Clinic says to rest for the first two to three days after routine wisdom teeth surgery and to avoid strenuous activity, including gym class and swimming, for seven to ten days. The NHS and Kent leaflets advise avoiding bending, heavy lifting and exercise on the day of surgery.

Cleveland Clinic also says to avoid alcohol and carbonated drinks for at least five days, and to avoid aspirin because it thins the blood and can prolong bleeding. The Kent leaflet also advises avoiding aspirin unless it was prescribed for a heart condition.

Heat, and a point the sources do not settle

The sources we read recommend cold in the early days. Cleveland Clinic's oral surgery guide does not address heat, and we did not find a source that says when to switch to warm compresses after wisdom teeth surgery. Ask your surgeon before using heat, especially in the first few days.

What swelling normally looks like

Swelling is usually around the cheeks and jaw on the side of the surgery. Cleveland Clinic says bruising is normal and may extend near the eyes or into the neck. The NHS says pain and swelling usually start to ease after one to two days, while stiffness, bruising and discomfort when chewing or swallowing can last up to two weeks.

Signs it is not normal

Cleveland Clinic lists new or worsening swelling, especially if it seems fluid-filled, white or yellow discharge, a foul taste or odor, fever, swollen glands with fever, redness, increased pain, bleeding at the site, pain that returns or worsens after it had started to improve, and suspected dry socket. It also says to call for swelling that worsens after three days. Difficulty breathing or swallowing is an emergency.

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