7 Postoperative Wisdom Teeth Removal Complications

• Pain, swelling, and temporary jaw stiffness are the most common after wisdom teeth surgery, but they usually improve with proper care
• Dry socket can cause sharp pain, foul taste, and delayed healing a few days after the procedure if the protective clot is lost
• Nerve injury may lead to tingling, numbness, or sensitivity in the lips or tongue, though most cases resolve over time
• Infection signs include fever, pus, severe swelling, or persistent bad breath, which require quick treatment from a dentist
• Following aftercare steps like rest, soft foods, and avoiding smoking reduces risks and supports faster recovery

Wisdom teeth removal is a simple and routine surgical procedure, usually performed under a local anesthetic. But, as with any type of surgery, it comes with some risks. Most of them, however, are minimal. Swelling, bleeding, and temporary numbness in your jaw, are just some of the possible side effects of wisdom teeth extraction. The good news is you can prevent or reduce most of these complications with a skilled specialist in wisdom teeth removal in Murrieta.

If you’re preparing for wisdom teeth removal and feeling unsure about what’s normal afterward or when to call your dentist for complications, this guide can help. It covers common concerns, explains what to expect, and encourages you to talk openly with a dental specialist. Most competent specialists are happy to answer your questions and explain the process in detail.

Things to watch for

What is the most common complication after wisdom tooth extraction?

While most people heal without issues, it’s worth understanding the potential long-term side effects of wisdom tooth extraction. Here are a few of the most common complications after wisdom teeth removal:

1. Pain and swelling

It’s common to experience some pain and swelling in the days following your wisdom teeth removal. Although the amount may vary greatly for each patient, both can be correlated with the length of the surgery itself. In addition to dental pain relievers, your dentist may advise you to eat soft foods and refrain from strenuous physical activity to speed up the healing process and support smoother wisdom tooth removal recovery.

2. Limited mouth opening (aka trismus)

An extensive procedure like tooth extraction can often result in temporary jaw stiffness (trismus) after extraction, or the inability to open your mouth freely. This happens when swelling and inflammation cause the jaw muscles to tighten, making it difficult to open your mouth fully.

Is lockjaw common after wisdom teeth removal?

Trismus is often referred to as “lockjaw,” and is fairly common in the days following wisdom tooth removal. This condition is particularly common among patients between the ages of 17 and 25. The good news is that it usually improves within a week or two with rest, prescribed pain relief, and gentle heat applied to the outside of the face.

If your jaw stiffness lasts longer than expected or gets worse, your dentist may suggest simple jaw exercises, muscle relaxants, or even physical therapy to help restore normal movement and comfort.

3. Dry socket

Dry socket after wisdom teeth removal is one of the most common complications. It happens when the blood clot that’s supposed to protect the empty tooth socket is dislodged or dissolves too early, leaving the bone and nerves exposed. This condition is especially common in smokers and women who take birth control pills, and in medical terms, it’s also known as alveolar osteitis.

What does dry socket pain feel like?

Dry socket pain feels different from normal post-surgery soreness. Instead of easing up, it usually starts 3–5 days after surgery, right when most people expect to feel better. The pain is often sharp, throbbing, and deep, sometimes radiating to your ear, temple, or even your neck on the same side as the extraction. Over-the-counter painkillers usually don’t do much. Many people also notice a lingering bad taste or foul odor from the extraction site, and when checking in the mirror, the socket may look empty or “dry” because the protective clot is missing.

The good news is, dry sockets are treatable. Your dentist can clean the area and place a medicated dressing directly into the socket, which usually brings quick relief. With proper care, the area will still heal normally, it just takes a little longer.

4. Nerve injury

Although far less common, nerve damage from wisdom teeth removal is a possible complication, especially in elderly patients. Symptoms include pain, tingling, and a numb tongue or lip after extraction. In most cases, the injury is temporary, lasting from a few weeks to several months.

5. Excessive bleeding

Even though slight bleeding and redness are common during the first 24 hours after the procedure, these usually subside within 8 – 12 hours because that’s how long it takes for a blood clot to form over the extraction area. On the other hand, some patients suffer excessive bleeding after wisdom teeth removal. Still, the amount of bleeding depends heavily on the location and position of the tooth.

6. Infection

Although there’s a small risk of infection after wisdom teeth extraction, they often require further clinical examination. It’s possible to experience severe pain, swelling gums surrounding the extraction site, fever and pus after wisdom teeth removal, and yellow or white discharge. A simple one-week course of antibiotics will typically take care of an infection. In case it persists, the area must be drained and thoroughly cleaned.

7. Sinus opening

One of the major concerns with untreated impacted wisdom teeth is sinus complications after upper wisdom tooth extraction. As the upper third molars are near your sinuses, they can sometimes create a small opening between the tooth socket and the sinus, known as an oroantral communication. Taking out the last set early prevents root formation, which helps lower this kind of risk.

If it occurs, it should close spontaneously on its own. Keep in mind, though, to avoid blowing your nose for two or three days after the procedure.

8. Other less common complications

Most patients heal without serious problems, but it’s helpful to be aware of rare complications so you know what to watch for.

1. Osteomyelitis after tooth extraction

This is a deep bone infection that’s extremely rare but can be serious. It usually shows up with ongoing pain, swelling, or fever, and it requires quick treatment to protect the jawbone and overall health.

2. Injury to neighboring structures

During extraction, adjacent teeth, crowns, or fillings can sometimes be damaged. This is more common during decayed wisdom tooth extraction, since fragile tooth structure can make the procedure more complex.

3. Root fragments

Occasionally, small root tips break off during extraction. If removing them could damage nearby nerves or sinuses, your surgeon may leave them in place. These are usually harmless but will be monitored over time.

4. Jaw fracture

Extremely rare, but in cases of thin jawbones or severely impacted teeth, fracture is a possibility. Following aftercare instructions and avoiding hard foods after surgery keeps stress off the jaw.

5. Jaw joint pain (TMJ issues)

It’s not uncommon for patients to feel some discomfort in the jaw joint after surgery, especially if they already had TMJ (temporomandibular joint) issues beforehand. Let your surgeon know about any jaw problems you’ve experienced so they can adjust your treatment plan and recovery advice.

Factors that can influence complications after wisdom teeth removal

Not every patient heals the same way. Several patient-related, anatomical, and surgical factors can make complications more likely. Knowing these ahead of time helps patients understand why their dentist might give them extra instructions or caution.

Patient-related factors

• High blood pressure (hypertension): People with hypertension have a higher chance of delayed-onset infection. This may be because higher blood pressure can affect blood vessels and inflammation spread.
• Smoking: Smoking is one of the biggest risk factors for dry socket and delayed healing because it reduces blood flow and disrupts clot formation.
• Age: Complications are generally more common in older adults. Younger patients (late teens to early twenties) typically recover faster with fewer issues.

Tooth and anatomical factors

• Position of the tooth: Wisdom teeth that are angled horizontally or deeply impacted are harder to remove and more likely to lead to complications.
• Proximity to nerves: Lower wisdom teeth are often close to the inferior alveolar nerve, which increases the risk of temporary or (rarely) permanent numbness.
• Proximity to sinuses: Upper wisdom teeth sit close to the sinus cavity. In rare cases, extraction can cause a small opening (oro-antral communication) between the mouth and sinus.

Surgical and procedural factors

• Use of hemostatic agents: These are sometimes placed to control bleeding. In some cases, they’ve been linked to higher infection rates, so surgeons use them sparingly.
• Surgeon’s experience: Complications are less likely when an experienced oral surgeon performs the procedure, though proper supervision of trainees can keep outcomes safe.
  Surgical difficulty: The more bone removal and tooth sectioning required, the longer and more complex the surgery, and the higher the risk of swelling, bleeding, and infection.
• Suturing technique: Some surgeons prefer primary closure (fully stitching the gum), while others leave it partially open. Research is still ongoing about which method reduces infection risk best.

How do you know if something is wrong after wisdom teeth removal?

It’s normal to have some pain, swelling, and bleeding in the first couple of days. But if symptoms are severe, prolonged, or unusual, you should seek professional help. Contact your dentist immediately if you notice:

• Pain that doesn’t improve with prescribed medicine
• Heavy bleeding that continues after 24 hours
• Swelling that gets worse after the third day or lasts more than a week
• Fever or chills
• Pus, yellow discharge, or a foul taste that saltwater rinses don’t fix
• Difficulty swallowing or breathing
• Persistent swelling after extraction that doesn’t ease after several days
• Delayed healing of extraction site
• Jaw that won’t open properly after several days

What are some signs your post wisdom tooth surgery site is infected?

An infection is one of the more serious complications that can develop after wisdom teeth removal, and it’s something dentists monitor closely during recovery. Unlike the normal soreness and swelling you’d expect, an infection usually comes with more intense symptoms. Pain may become sharp and radiate toward your ear or jaw instead of gradually easing. The gums around the area often look red, swollen, and warm to the touch, and in some cases you might notice yellow or white pus draining from the socket. A lingering foul taste or persistent bad breath that doesn’t improve with saltwater rinses can also be a sign that bacteria are present. Fever or swollen lymph nodes in your neck are further signs your body is fighting an infection. The good news is that most infections respond quickly to antibiotics and proper cleaning if treated early, which is why it’s important to call your dentist as soon as these symptoms appear.

Post-operative care and when to seek professional help

Recovering well after wisdom teeth surgery is just as important as the procedure itself. By following your dentist’s dos and don’ts after wisdom tooth extraction, you can minimize discomfort and avoid most complications.

Here’s what you should do (and avoid) in the first days after surgery:

The first 24 hours

• Don’t rinse, spit, or touch the area. This allows the blood clot to form and protects the socket.
• Use ice packs on the outside of your cheeks. Apply for 20 minutes, then rest for 10–20 minutes. Repeat for the first 24–72 hours.
• Take pain medication as directed. Many patients manage with ibuprofen or acetaminophen, but follow your dentist’s prescription if stronger relief is needed.
• Stay hydrated. Drink plenty of fluids, but avoid straws—sucking can dislodge the clot. Stick to water or cool, mild beverages.
• Avoid alcohol, caffeine, hot drinks, and carbonated sodas. These can irritate the surgical site.
• Rest with your head elevated. This reduces bleeding and swelling.

The first few days

• Don’t smoke or use tobacco. Smoking and chewing tobacco delay healing and increase the chance of dry socket.
• Eat soft foods only. Smoothies, yogurt, mashed potatoes, scrambled eggs, and soup are all good options. Slowly reintroduce semi-soft foods as you feel comfortable.
• Avoid seeds, nuts, rice, or popcorn. These can easily get stuck in the surgical site.
• Rinse gently with saltwater after 24 hours. Mix ½ teaspoon of salt in a glass of warm water and swish gently after meals to keep the area clean.
• Skip strenuous activities. No heavy lifting or high-energy exercise for at least 3–4 days.

Ongoing comfort tips

• Keep your lips moist with balm or ointment if they feel dry.
• If your jaw feels stiff (trismus), apply warm moist heat to relax the muscles.
• Get plenty of rest to let your body heal.

Where can I schedule expert wisdom teeth removal in Murrieta?

Looking for a pain-free wisdom teeth extraction? Whatever the complexity of your case, Temecula Dental Implants & Oral Surgery is the first choice for patients with missing, damaged, or broken teeth. Dr. Tsvetov is one of the leading prosthodontists in the area with many years of experience and extensive training. If you live in Murrieta or the surrounding area, contact us for a free initial evaluation to find out if you’re a good candidate for a wisdom tooth removal. Get in touch with us and receive the best possible treatment.