Yes, you can brush the day after wisdom teeth are removed, gently and avoiding the extraction sites. Rinse with salt water as directed.
Yes
You can brush your teeth the day after, but be gentle and avoid the surgical sites.
First 24 hours
Don’t brush near the wound, rinse vigorously or spit. You may brush other teeth gently.
After 24 hours
- Brush gently with a soft brush.
- Rinse with warm salt water (1/2 teaspoon in a cup) after meals.
- Don’t use mouthwash with alcohol.
Avoid
Straws, smoking and touching the sites.
Dry socket prevention
Keep the clot in place.
Follow instructions
Your oral surgeon may give an antibacterial rinse (chlorhexidine).
Call if
Severe pain, fever, swelling or bleeding.
Healing
Return to normal brushing in about a week.
Yes
You can and should brush your teeth after wisdom teeth removal, but with care around the surgical site. Keeping the mouth clean lowers the risk of infection and dry socket. Poor oral hygiene is linked to more complications.
First 24 hours
Do not brush the surgical area, and do not rinse, spit or use mouthwash in the first 24 hours so the blood clot can form. You can brush other teeth gently, staying clear of the extraction sites. Many surgeons say you can brush the night of surgery, avoiding the area.
After 24 hours
- Start gentle salt water rinses (half a teaspoon of salt in a cup of warm water), after meals and before bed. Let the water fall from your mouth into the sink instead of spitting forcefully.
- Brush all teeth with a soft-bristle brush, and carefully brush close to the surgical area without touching the sockets.
- After about 3 to 5 days, gently brush the teeth next to the sockets.
- Use the plastic irrigating syringe, if given, from day 5 to 7 to rinse the sockets, as your surgeon instructs.
Avoid
- Vigorous rinsing and spitting for the first few days.
- Alcohol-based mouthwash, which can irritate.
- Electric toothbrushes near the site in the first days.
- Toothpaste foam that can irritate: some surgeons advise a mild or no-foaming toothpaste at first.
- Smoking and straws.
Dry socket prevention
Dry socket is caused by the loss of the blood clot, exposing bone and nerves. Prevention includes avoiding suction and forceful spitting, not smoking, gentle cleaning, and following the surgeon’s instructions. Risk is higher in smokers and those who take oral contraceptives.
Follow instructions
Every case is different. Follow your oral surgeon’s written aftercare instructions, because some stitches and procedures need modifications.
Call if
Call your surgeon if you have increasing pain after 3 days, bad taste or smell, bleeding that does not stop with pressure, swelling that gets worse after day 3, fever, pus, or numbness that persists.
Healing
Sockets close over in 3 to 4 weeks. Continue good brushing, flossing and dental checkups to protect the nearby teeth.
Safe routine for the first days
Most oral surgeons say you can brush your teeth the night of surgery, but you should avoid the surgical area and spitting. Do not rinse vigorously during the first 24 hours, since pressure can dislodge the blood clot. After 24 hours, rinse gently with warm salt water, using about half a teaspoon of salt in 8 ounces of water, 3 to 4 times daily, especially after meals. Resume gentle brushing near the sites after about 3 days, using a soft brush. A prescription chlorhexidine rinse may be given, and it should be used as directed, usually twice a day for one week. Avoid mouthwash containing alcohol, smoking, vaping and straws for at least 72 hours. Dry socket affects about 2 to 5 percent of cases, and signs include throbbing pain that begins 2 to 4 days after surgery and bad breath. Call the office if you see heavy bleeding, fever, pus or swelling that worsens after day 3.
Based on data from the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
