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Getting enough sleep is important after wisdom teeth removal, but finding a comfortable position can be difficult when your mouth is sore or swollen. The way you position yourself during the first few nights can also help manage swelling and protect the surgical sites while they begin to heal.
How to Sleep After Wisdom Teeth Removal
The first few nights after wisdom teeth removal, sleep on your back with your head elevated rather than lying completely flat. Use extra pillows or a wedge pillow to keep your head and upper body raised comfortably.
Elevation can help limit fluid buildup around the surgical areas and may reduce throbbing and swelling. Sleeping on your back also helps prevent direct pressure against either side of your jaw.
You do not need to sleep sitting completely upright. The goal is simply to keep your head above the level of your heart while still getting comfortable, restful sleep.
Keep Your Head Elevated for the First Few Nights
Keeping your head elevated is particularly helpful during the first two to three days, when swelling is developing and may be at its most noticeable. After that, you can gradually return to your usual sleeping position as swelling and discomfort improve.
Some patients may prefer to remain elevated for a few additional nights, especially if they still have noticeable swelling. Follow the post-operative instructions provided by your oral surgeon, as recommendations can vary depending on the complexity of your procedure and how you are healing.
Sleeping on Your Side After Wisdom Teeth Removal
It is generally better to avoid sleeping on your side during the earliest part of recovery. Lying against the side of your face can put pressure on tender tissues and may make swelling or discomfort more noticeable.
If all four wisdom teeth were removed, sleeping on your back also prevents you from having to choose which surgical side to lie on. Once swelling and tenderness have decreased, you can gradually return to side sleeping if it feels comfortable.
Preparing for Bed After Surgery
A little preparation before bed can make the first few nights easier. Take any prescribed or recommended medications according to your post-operative instructions rather than waiting until discomfort wakes you during the night.
Before going to bed:
- Make sure active bleeding has slowed or stopped.
- Follow your instructions for pain and anti-inflammatory medications.
- Drink enough water throughout the day to stay hydrated.
- Arrange pillows so you can comfortably maintain an elevated position.
- Keep anything you may need during the night, such as water or medication, within easy reach.
Avoid vigorous rinsing, spitting, or anything else your postoperative instructions tell you to avoid. Protecting the blood clots that form over the extraction sites is important during the early stages of healing.
| Remove Gauze Before You Fall Asleep Do not go to sleep with loose gauze in your mouth. Gauze is generally used during the initial period after an extraction to apply pressure when there is active bleeding, but it should be removed before you fall asleep because it can become a choking hazard. |
Why Sleeping Can Be Difficult During Early Recovery
Soreness, swelling, jaw stiffness, and changes to your normal sleeping position can make it harder to get comfortable during the first few nights. You may also notice more throbbing when you lie down because of changes in blood flow and pressure around the surgical areas.
These symptoms should gradually improve as healing progresses. Swelling often becomes more noticeable during the first two to three days because it takes time for the body’s inflammatory response to develop. As swelling begins to decrease, sleeping comfortably usually becomes easier as well.
When to Contact Your Oral Surgeon
Some soreness and disrupted sleep are expected during the early stages of recovery. However, symptoms that become significantly worse rather than gradually improving may need to be evaluated.
Contact your oral surgeon if you experience increasing pain that is difficult to control, persistent heavy bleeding, swelling that worsens after initially improving, fever, drainage, a foul taste, or other symptoms that concern you.
If you had your wisdom teeth removed at Oral Facial and Implant Specialists and have questions about sleeping, pain, swelling, bleeding, or another part of your recovery, contact our office. We can review what you are experiencing and determine whether you should be seen.
Schedule a Wisdom Teeth Evaluation
If your wisdom teeth are causing pain, becoming impacted, or your dentist has recommended removal, an evaluation can determine whether surgery is appropriate. Dr. Thompson will assess the position of your wisdom teeth and surrounding anatomy and explain what to expect before, during, and after treatment.
To book an appointment at our oral surgery office in Deer Park, IL, call (847) 381-0106 or visit us at 21660 W. Field Parkway, Suite 220, Deer Park, IL.
FAQs
You will likely need to modify your normal sleeping position for the first few nights. Sleeping on your back with your head elevated can help manage swelling and avoid pressure against the surgical areas.
Many patients can gradually return to side sleeping once the initial swelling and tenderness have improved. If lying on your side causes pressure or discomfort, continue sleeping on your back for another night or two.
It is better to keep your head elevated during the first few days rather than lying completely flat. As swelling decreases and you become more comfortable, you can gradually return to your usual sleeping position.
A small amount of blood mixed with saliva can occur during early healing. If you wake with active or persistent bleeding, sit upright and follow the bleeding-control instructions provided by your oral surgeon. Contact the office if the bleeding does not slow or seems excessive.
Discomfort can feel more noticeable at night when there are fewer distractions, and lying down may increase the sensation of pressure or throbbing around the surgical areas. Keeping your head elevated and following your medication instructions can make sleeping more comfortable.
