Can you use regular mouthwash after wisdom teeth removal

It can take up to 2 weeks to recover from the surgery for having your wisdom tooth or teeth removed.

Table of Contents Show

Self-care advice
Working and driving
Returning to normal
What is a Mouth Wash?
Should I rinse my mouth after an extraction?
When Can I Brush My Teeth?
Can I Use Mouthwash after My Wisdom Tooth Extraction?
What's The Healing Time After A Tooth Extraction?
We’re Here for you
What mouthwash is best after wisdom tooth extraction?
What kind of mouthwash can you use after tooth extraction?

During this time, you may have:

a swollen mouth and cheeks – this will be worse for the first few days but will gradually improve; gently pressing a cold cloth to your face helps reduce the swelling
some mild visible bruising of your cheek – the skin may be bruised for up to 2 weeks
a stiff, sore jaw – this should wear off within 7 to 10 days
pain – this is worse if the extraction was difficult or complicated
an unpleasant taste in your mouth
tingling or numbness of your face, lips or tongue (although this is uncommon)

Report any excess bleeding, severe pain or any other unusual symptoms to your dentist or oral surgeon immediately.

Self-care advice

To reduce pain and aid your recovery, it can be helpful to:

use painkillers such as paracetamol or ibuprofen (always read and follow the manufacturer's dosage instructions) – there's some evidence to suggest that ibuprofen is the best painkiller to take after having wisdom teeth removed
avoid strenuous activity and exercise for a few days
use an extra pillow to support your head at night
for 24 hours, avoid rinsing, spitting, hot drinks or anything else that may dislodge the blood clots that form in the empty tooth socket (they help the healing process)
avoid smoking and drinking alcohol for 24 hours
eat soft or liquid food for a few days and chew with your other teeth
gently rinse the extraction site with antiseptic mouthwash after 24 hours, and repeat this regularly over the next few days, particularly after eating – you can also use warm water with a teaspoon of salt as mouthwash to reduce gum soreness and inflammation

Working and driving

It's usually recommended that you take a day or two off work after having a wisdom tooth removed. You won't need a sick note from your doctor or dentist for this.

You can drive immediately after the procedure if local anaesthetic was used, but you should avoid driving for at least 24 hours if a sedative was used, or 48 hours if the procedure was carried out under general anaesthetic.

Returning to normal

After your wisdom teeth have been removed and any swelling and bruising has disappeared, your mouth and face should return to normal.

You'll usually be able to brush your teeth normally after a few days. Make sure you finish any course of antibiotics you've been given.

A check-up appointment may be arranged for about a week or so after the procedure. At this point, any remaining stitches may be removed.

Page last reviewed: 17 May 2021
Next review due: 17 May 2024

The general rule of thumb is to wait 48 hours before using mouthwash after a tooth extraction. Mouthwash contains strong anti-bacterial properties, and if used too soon after an extraction, it can irritate or dry the mucosa, increasing the likelihood of developing a condition called “dry socket” (also known as alveolar osteitis). If dry socket occurs, healing of the extraction site will be delayed, and discomfort is prolonged.

What is a Mouth Wash?

Mouth wash is a dental product designed for use in the mouth. It is swished around to clean and freshen the mouth and then discarded. Mouth wash typically contains antimicrobial and other ingredients designed to inhibit odor-causing sulfur compounds and reduce the bacteria that contribute to gum disease and gingivitis. While it can’t replace daily brushing and flossing for getting rid of the bulk of oral bacteria, it may provide some additional long-term benefits.

According to the ADA, the ADA categorizes mouth wash or mouth rinses as either a cosmetic mouth rinse or therapeutic mouth rinse. Cosmetic mouth rinses as those that do not contain medicinal ingredients and are meant to freshen breath only. Therapeutic mouth rinses, on the other hand, include substances such as fluoride and can help protect teeth from cavities, keep your mouth clean, control plaque, reduce gingivitis, bad breath, and tooth decay.

Should I rinse my mouth after an extraction?

After a tooth is pulled, your Fairview dentist recommends avoiding vigorous rinsing for at least 24 hours. The first stage of healing involves a blood clot that helps to stop the bleeding. Vigorous rinsing could disrupt the clot and allow more bleeding, and spitting it out can also disturb or dislodge the blood clot. After 24 hours, you can use a salt-water mouth wash to help clean and heal the area. To help cleanse the area and speed up recovery, mix together a teaspoon of salt and warm water and gently rinse your mouth. Do this twice a day for at least a week or as long as your dentist recommends. When you’re done rinsing your mouth, spit gently into a sink, allowing gravity to do most of the work. Do not spit forcefully as you may agitate the extraction site. After 48 hours, you may then use your mouth wash.

When Can I Brush My Teeth?

After your tooth extraction, it is advisable to avoid any sort of oral hygiene for the first 24 hours. This includes brushing, flossing, and using mouthwash. Following your tooth extraction, your healing tooth socket needs to be left alone for the first 24 hours so that a blood clot can begin forming and the healing process can begin. After the first 24 hours, you may brush your teeth carefully, but be sure not to brush too hard or come into contact with the extraction site.

Can I Use Mouthwash after My Wisdom Tooth Extraction?

Following a wisdom tooth removal, it is recommended not to use mouthwash after wisdom tooth removal for up to 48 hours. The same do’s, and don’ts apply as with a wisdom tooth extraction.

What's The Healing Time After A Tooth Extraction?

After undergoing a tooth extraction, you can expect to experience the following stages of healing. Although everyone heals differently, the following stages are common:

First 24 hours – After an extraction, you may expect a clot to form in the socket. Get plenty of rest and avoid any strenuous activity. During this time, you may experience minor bleeding, swelling, and some pain within the first 24 hours after having a tooth pulled. If these symptoms get worse, or you experience severe pain, contact your dentist immediately.
Day after surgery – Following an extraction, patients should avoid dislodging the blood clot. Dislodging the blood clot could cause a painful condition called dry socket. After tooth extraction, do not suck on a straw or brush in the area of your tooth extraction.
After three days – The gums will begin to heal and cover the extraction site within three days of a tooth being pulled.
After one week – Within 7 to 10 days after the extraction, the socket formed by the removal of the tooth will have begun to heal. By that time, any discomfort or tenderness should have subsided.

We’re Here for you

If you have questions about tooth extractions, extraction of wisdom teeth, tooth extraction healing process, or want to know how we can help restore your natural smile, contact us at our Fairview, TX dental office to schedule an in-person consultation with us today – 972-468-1440

Our dental office is located in Fairview, Texas, and our patients visit us from across the surrounding areas, including Allen, Plano, McKinney, and Lucas.

What mouthwash is best after wisdom tooth extraction?

Extract may contain herbal particles which can retain in the wound and cause an infection. The most recommended oral antiseptic in modern dentistry is chlorhexidine.

What kind of mouthwash can you use after tooth extraction?

Use an antiseptic mouth rinse, like Listerine, (chlorhexidine or Peridex™, if prescribed) beginning the evening of the procedure. This will help with bad taste or odor of your healing mouth. The day after surgery you should rinse with Listerine 5 to 10 times a day especially after eating.