By the Smileplus Dental team · Last updated: 9 November 2026
Short answer: Most people feel sore for the first few days after a wisdom tooth comes out. Swelling usually builds over the first two to three days, then eases. After a simple extraction, many patients are back to their normal routine within a day or two. Surgery on an impacted tooth usually takes about a week to settle. Protect the blood clot, eat soft food, and follow your dentist's aftercare instructions. Contact the clinic if things get worse instead of better.
Does recovery differ between a simple extraction and surgery?
Yes. A simple extraction is for a wisdom tooth that has fully come through the gum, and healing is usually quicker. Wisdom tooth surgery is for a tooth that is impacted (stuck under the gum or bone, or growing at an angle). The gum is opened and the area is often stitched, so there is more swelling and the mouth needs more time to settle.
Everyone heals at a different pace, so treat the timeline below as a rough guide.
What happens day by day after wisdom tooth removal?
| When | What you may notice | What usually helps |
|---|---|---|
| Day of treatment | Numbness for a few hours, some oozing of blood | Bite on gauze as shown, rest, cool soft food once the numbness wears off |
| Days 1–3 | Soreness, swelling and a stiff jaw, often at their worst around day 2 or 3 | Cold pack on the cheek, take medication as prescribed, soft food |
| Days 4–7 | Swelling and pain easing, appetite coming back | Gentle rinsing as advised, slowly add softer everyday food |
| Week 2 onwards | Gum closing over; the socket may still trap food | Keep the area clean and attend your review visit |
Swelling and a stiff jaw on days two and three are part of normal healing, not automatically a sign of infection. What matters most is the direction: from about day four, you should feel steadily better.
How can I keep swelling and discomfort down?
• Use a cold pack wrapped in a cloth on the outside of your cheek for short spells during the first day or so.
• Take medication as prescribed. Staying on schedule is usually easier than waiting until the pain builds up.
• Rest with your head slightly raised, for example on an extra pillow, for the first night or two.
• Go easy on exercise and heavy lifting for a few days.
What should I eat after wisdom tooth removal?
Wait until the numbness has worn off so you don't bite your cheek or tongue. For the first day or two, choose soft food that is cool or lukewarm, and chew on the other side of your mouth.
• First 1–2 days: porridge cooled to lukewarm, tau huay, yoghurt, steamed egg, blended soups, and ice cream without crunchy bits.
• Days 3–7: mee sua or soft bee hoon in a mild soup, steamed fish, silken tofu, scrambled eggs, and soft rice dishes.
• Hold off for now: very hot soups and drinks, chilli and sambal, crunchy snacks, nuts, seeds, and sticky or chewy food that can lodge in the socket.
Drink from a cup rather than a straw, and avoid alcohol while healing.
What is dry socket, and what are the signs?
After a tooth is removed, a blood clot forms in the socket to protect the bone and help the gum heal. If the clot is lost too early, the socket can become painful. This is called dry socket.
Signs to watch for, usually about two to four days after the extraction:
• Pain that gets stronger after it had started to improve, sometimes spreading towards the ear.
• A bad taste or bad breath that doesn't go away.
• A socket that looks empty instead of filled with a dark clot.
To protect the clot in the first few days, avoid straws, smoking or vaping, forceful spitting and vigorous rinsing. If your dentist advises warm salt-water rinses, start them when told, usually from the day after treatment, and rinse gently. If you think you have dry socket, contact the clinic so the dentist can check and treat the area.
When can I go back to work or school, and will I get an MC?
Many people return to desk work or class within a day or two of a simple extraction, and a few days to about a week after surgery. Jobs that involve physical effort may need longer. Your dentist decides whether you need a medical certificate, and for how many days, based on the procedure you had. Ask about it at your appointment if you need one for work or school.
When should I contact the clinic?
| Usually expected | Contact the clinic |
|---|---|
| Light oozing on the first day | Bleeding that keeps going despite firm pressure on gauze |
| Swelling that peaks around day 2–3 | Swelling that keeps spreading after day 3, or difficulty swallowing |
| Soreness that eases from about day 4 | Pain that gets worse after starting to improve |
| Mild jaw stiffness | Fever, pus or a foul taste that doesn't go away |
| Numbness wearing off within hours | Numbness of the lip, chin or tongue that is still there the next day |
If you have trouble breathing, seek urgent medical care straight away. For anything else, it's always fine to message us.
How much does wisdom tooth removal cost at Smileplus Dental?
Your review visit lets the dentist check how you’re healing
A quick recap:
• Simple wisdom tooth extraction: $150.
• Wisdom tooth surgery: $1,500, MediSave claimable.
CHAS, Pioneer Generation and Merdeka Generation subsidies are funded by the government and deducted from your bill, not from your MediSave. CHAS helps reduce the cost but doesn’t cover it fully. Hougang branch prices are subject to GST. For the full breakdown, see our guide to wisdom tooth surgery cost and MediSave or our Wisdom Tooth page.
Questions after your extraction? Our team is a message away
Where is Smileplus Dental?
| Branch | Address | |
|---|---|---|
| Hougang | 684 Hougang Ave 8, #01-989, Singapore 530684 | 9475 5508 |
| Redhill / Bukit Merah | 122 Bukit Merah Lane 1, #01-66, Singapore 150122 | 9325 5530 |
Have a wisdom tooth that’s bothering you, or a question about your recovery? WhatsApp our Hougang Branch at 9475 5508 or our Redhill Branch at 9325 5530.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to recover from wisdom tooth removal?
Often a day or two after a simple extraction, and about a week after surgery on an impacted tooth. The gum keeps healing for a few more weeks.
When is swelling worst after wisdom tooth surgery?
Usually around day 2 or 3, then it eases. Contact the clinic if it keeps getting worse after day 3.
What can I eat after wisdom tooth extraction?
Soft, cool or lukewarm food such as porridge, tau huay, yoghurt and steamed egg, chewing on the other side. Avoid very hot, spicy, crunchy and sticky food for now.
How do I know if I have dry socket?
Pain that gets stronger two to four days after the extraction instead of easing, often with a bad taste or bad breath. Contact the clinic so the dentist can check.
Will I get an MC after wisdom tooth removal?
Your dentist decides whether you need one, and for how long, based on your procedure. Ask at your appointment if you need it for work or school.
How much does wisdom tooth removal cost at Smileplus Dental?
A simple wisdom tooth extraction is $150, and wisdom tooth surgery is $1,500, MediSave claimable. Hougang branch prices are subject to GST.
This article provides general information only and is not a substitute for advice from your dentist. Always follow the aftercare instructions you are given, and contact the clinic if you are concerned about your recovery. Prices are correct as of the last-updated date and may change.
