So, you’ve just had your wisdom teeth pulled. Now you’re home, maybe a little sore, and probably wondering how on earth you’re supposed to get any sleep. You’re not alone—most people struggle to get comfortable those first few nights. Whether it’s the pain, some swelling, or just the awkwardness of it all, sleep can feel like a challenge.
But don’t worry—there are ways to make this part of recovery a lot easier. Here’s what actually helps when you’re trying to sleep after wisdom teeth removal, from the best positions to simple tricks for handling the discomfort. Let’s get you through this with as little tossing and turning as possible.
Why Sleep Matters So Much After Wisdom Teeth Removal
When your body’s healing, sleep isn’t just nice—it’s essential. A good night’s rest helps your body calm inflammation, strengthens your immune system, and speeds up tissue repair. Skip out on sleep, and you’re more likely to deal with things like extra pain, swelling, or even infection. You might have heard of “dry socket”—poor sleep can make it more likely, too.
So, yeah, figuring out how to sleep well right now makes a real difference in how fast you bounce back.
Best Sleeping Tips After Wisdom Teeth Removal
1. Keep Your Head Up
For the first few nights, prop yourself up. Use a couple of pillows, or a wedge if you have one, so your head stays above your heart. This simple trick helps cut down the swelling that almost always follows wisdom teeth surgery. Sleeping flat just leads to more puffiness and pressure, and honestly, nobody wants that.
Why does this work? When your head’s up, less blood rushes to your jaw, so you don’t wake up feeling like a chipmunk.
Can’t fall asleep on your back? If lying flat on your back feels weird, side sleeping is okay—as long as you keep your head up with pillows. Just make sure you aren’t squishing the side where your teeth came out. That’ll only make things worse.
2. Side Sleeping: Yes, But Be Careful
A lot of people ask if they can sleep on their side after wisdom teeth removal. The short answer: yes, but with some caution. If you love sleeping on your side, stack a few pillows to keep your head elevated and stop yourself from rolling onto your cheek. You really want to avoid putting pressure on the spot where your teeth came out.
So, which side should you pick? Stay off the side where you had surgery, at least for the first few days. You’ll heal faster, and you won’t wake up with extra pain or swelling.
3. Don’t Sleep on Your Stomach
Honestly, sleeping on your stomach is a bad idea right now. It puts pressure right where you don’t want it—your jaw and cheeks. That means more swelling, more pain, and a longer recovery. Stick with your back or side, keep your head elevated, and you’ll be much more comfortable.
The first few nights after wisdom teeth removal can be rough, but with these tips, you’ll set yourself up for a smoother recovery—and a better night’s sleep.
Can I Sleep With Gauze in My Mouth?
After surgery, you’ll probably hear that you need to keep gauze in your mouth to help stop the bleeding. But what about when it’s time to sleep? Is it safe to leave the gauze in overnight?
Here’s the deal: you can keep gauze in your mouth if you’re still bleeding, but don’t just leave it in and forget about it. Change it out if it gets soaked, and never let yourself fall asleep with gauze still in your mouth. You don’t want to risk choking or accidentally swallowing it. Once the bleeding slows down or stops, go ahead and take the gauze out before you get some shut-eye.
Should you sleep with gauze in your mouth?
It’s fine for the first few hours if you’re still bleeding, but as soon as things calm down, take it out. Leaving gauze in too long can cause problems like dry socket, which is the last thing you want. If you need to use gauze before bed, always switch to a fresh piece and remove it once you’re ready to sleep.
How Long Should You Keep Gauze in After Wisdom Teeth Removal?
Change your gauze regularly—especially during the first 24 hours, when bleeding is usually at its worst. Keep an eye on things: if the gauze gets soaked, swap it out. Once the bleeding slows or stops, you can stop using gauze altogether. Most people don’t need to keep it in overnight after the first day or so.
A few things can make sleeping easier after wisdom teeth removal:
1. Use an Ice Pack Before Bed
Grab a cold pack or even a bag of frozen peas, wrap it in a towel, and hold it against your cheek for 15-20 minutes before you try to sleep. It cuts down swelling and can actually make it easier to relax.
2. Take Your Pain Meds
If the pain’s keeping you up, go ahead and take the meds your dentist or surgeon gave you. Don’t try to tough it out—good sleep helps you heal faster. Stick to the instructions (especially at night), and don’t try to tough it out if you’re hurting. Pain relief will help you get the sleep you need.
3. Stick to a Sleep Routine
It’s tempting to nap all day after surgery, but try to keep a regular schedule. Going to bed and waking up around the same time every day helps your body heal faster.
4. Take It Easy on Your Mouth
Don’t yawn big or chat a lot before bed—give your jaw a break. If your mouth gets super dry at night, especially if you breathe through your mouth, try running a humidifier in your room.
What to Avoid When Sleeping After Wisdom Teeth Removal
1. Lying Flat on Your Back
Sleeping flat can make swelling worse. Prop your head up with a couple of pillows to help keep things comfortable.
2. Sleeping on the Surgery Side
Don’t sleep on the side where you had your wisdom teeth out, at least for the first few nights. It’s just better for healing and helps keep the swelling down.
3. Ignoring Bleeding
If you’re still bleeding a lot, don’t just hope it’ll stop on its own. Change your gauze, and if the bleeding keeps going, call your oral surgeon.
When Can I Sleep Normally Again?
Usually, it takes a few days to a week before the pain and swelling die down enough for you to get back to your regular sleep routine. Even then, it’s smart to keep your head elevated and avoid sleeping on the surgery side for at least the first couple of nights.
FAQS
1. Can I sleep on my side after wisdom teeth removal?
You can, as long as you’re not putting pressure on the side where the teeth came out. Keep your head propped up with pillows.
2. How do I prevent dry socket while sleeping?
Dry socket happens when the blood clot comes loose. To steer clear of problems, prop up your head when you sleep and try not to fuss with the gauze or touch the area too much.
3. Can I sleep with gauze in my mouth after wisdom teeth removal?
It’s okay for the first day or so if you’re still bleeding, but once that stops, take the gauze out before sleeping. Otherwise, you risk choking or swallowing it.
Conclusion
Recovering from wisdom teeth removal doesn’t mean you have to lose sleep. A little planning goes a long way—keep your head propped up, take your meds, and swap out your gauze when you need to. With these simple steps, you’ll heal faster and get back to feeling like yourself before you know it.
