Fever After a Tooth Extraction: What’s Normal and When to Call
A low-grade fever in the first day or two after a tooth extraction is common and usually nothing to worry about — it is often just your body’s normal response to healing. A fever over 101°F, or a fever that starts or gets worse after the third day, is different: it can be a sign of infection, and you should call your dentist.
What Is Normal After a Tooth Extraction
In the first 24 to 48 hours, it is normal to have:
- A temperature up to about 100.4°F
- Swelling that peaks around day two or three
- Soreness at the extraction site
- Slight oozing or pink-tinged saliva on the first day
- Mild bruising on the cheek or jaw
These symptoms should steadily improve each day, even if the first two days are uncomfortable.
When a Fever Is a Warning Sign
Call your dentist if you notice any of the following:
- Fever over 101°F at any point
- A fever that goes away and then comes back
- Pain or swelling that gets worse after day three instead of better
- A bad taste in your mouth, or pus at the extraction site
- Redness spreading across your face or jaw
- Trouble swallowing, or swelling that makes it hard to open your mouth
Trouble breathing is an emergency — call 911 or go to the emergency room.
One more thing to know: pain that suddenly gets much worse three to five days after an extraction, sometimes with a bad taste, is often a dry socket rather than an infection. It needs treatment too, so call either way.
What to Do at Home
- Rest for the first day or two and drink plenty of fluids.
- Take acetaminophen or ibuprofen as directed on the package or by your dentist to bring a mild fever down.
- After the first 24 hours, rinse gently with warm salt water a few times a day.
- Stick to soft foods, and avoid straws, smoking, and vigorous rinsing for the first several days — these can dislodge the blood clot that protects the socket.
- Keep the area clean, but brush gently around the extraction site.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How long should a fever last after a tooth extraction?
A: A mild fever usually lasts one to two days. If it is still there on day three, or it is getting worse instead of better, call your dentist.
Q: Can I take Tylenol for a fever after an extraction?
A: Yes — acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen is fine for most people when taken as directed. If you take other medications or have a medical condition, check with your dentist or pharmacist first.
Q: Is a fever always a sign of infection?
A: No. A low fever in the first 48 hours is usually inflammation from healing, not infection. Fever plus worsening pain, swelling, or a bad taste after day three is the combination to take seriously.
Not Sure? Call Us
If you have had a tooth removed and something does not feel right, it is always better to ask. At Murphy Dental & Implant Center in Murphy, TX, we would rather check and tell you everything is fine than have you wait on an infection. Call us at (972) 836-0108.
(This article is general information only and is not medical advice.)
