When can I spit after wisdom teeth removal?

When can I spit after wisdom teeth removal?

Not in the first 24 hours. Healthline's recovery guide says to avoid spitting, swishing and rinsing for the first 24 hours, and the Kent NHS leaflet says not to rinse or spit for 24 hours. After that, rinse gently. The Kent leaflet says to rinse with warm salt water two to three times a day for three days, and the Hull NHS leaflet says that from the morning after surgery you can use a salt-water mouthwash or an antibacterial mouthwash.

How to spit and rinse safely

Cleveland Clinic's extraction page says to rinse gently with an antimicrobial mouthwash two to three times a day and to use gentle motions when rinsing or spitting, since vigorous action can dislodge stitches or clots. Healthline's food-in-the-socket page says to let the rinse water fall out into the sink instead of spitting it out. Do not swish hard, and do not use very hot or very cold water.

• Take a mouthful of lukewarm salt water, tilt your head and let it sit near the site.
• Tilt your head over the sink and let the water fall out, rather than forcing it out.
• Do not use a straw, smoke or vape, which create suction.
• Avoid alcohol-based mouthwash in the first 24 hours, which Healthline suggests.

Why the first 24 hours matter

The blood clot in the socket protects the bone and nerves while the gum heals. If it is lost or dislodged, you can get dry socket. Healthline's prevention guide lists vigorous rinsing and spitting among the things to avoid, and Cleveland Clinic lists vigorous rinsing among the risk factors for dry socket.

How long for a wisdom tooth hole to close?

Cleveland Clinic says the socket heals from the bottom up: a blood clot forms first, then new tissue fills in, sometimes leaving a small indentation, and that jawbone healing takes several weeks, up to four months for a large tooth like a molar. The page gives no specific week for the gum closing over. Healthline's timeline describes the clot forming on day 1 and granulation tissue developing over days 1 to 3, with creamy white tissue a normal sign of healing.

What the healing hole looks like

A dark clot is normal at first, and a creamy white layer later usually means healing. Healthline says gauze fibers and food bits can also look white, and Cleveland Clinic says a whitish look on the clot is normal and does not mean infection. If you see exposed bone with severe pain several days after surgery, that is not normal and could be dry socket, so call your surgeon.

Stitches and swelling

The NHS recovery page says stitches dissolve on their own, and the Hull leaflet says within up to 14 days. Cleveland Clinic says days 1 to 3 usually bring bruising and swelling, that day three is usually the most painful, and that side effects should fade within a week.

When do wisdom teeth grow?

A related question is when wisdom teeth come in. Cleveland Clinic says they usually emerge between about ages 17 and 25, later than other permanent teeth. See our guide on where wisdom teeth grow.

Frequently asked questions