Bad taste in mouth after wisdom teeth removal but no pain

As with any type of surgery, wisdom tooth removal carries some risks. However, these risks are usually small.

Risks can include:

  • dry socket – where a blood clot fails to develop in the tooth socket, or if the blood clot becomes dislodged 
  • nerve injury – this can cause temporary or permanent problems, such as tingling or numbness 
  • infection – signs include a high temperature, yellow or white discharge from the extraction site, and persistent pain and swelling
  • bleeding

See your dentist if you have signs of infection after having your wisdom teeth removed, or if you're bleeding heavily from the extraction site.

Dry socket

Dry socket (alveolar osteitis) is one of the most common complications of wisdom tooth removal. It's where a blood clot fails to develop in the tooth socket, or if the blood clot becomes dislodged or disappears. This can happen 3 to 5 days after surgery.

The empty socket causes an ache or throbbing pain in your gum or jaw, which can be intense like a toothache. There may also be an unpleasant smell or taste from the empty tooth socket. If you look into the socket, you might be able to see exposed bone rather than a blood clot.

You're more at risk of developing dry socket if:

  • you don't follow your dentist's instructions after the extraction
  • you smoke
  • you've had the condition before
  • you're over 25 years old
  • the extraction was difficult or complicated

See your dentist or surgeon if you think you have dry socket. They can flush any debris out of the socket or cover it with a medicated dressing, which may be removed and replaced frequently until it heals.

Nerve injury

Although far less common than dry socket, injury to sections of a nerve called the trigeminal nerve is another possible complication of wisdom tooth removal. It can cause pain, a tingling sensation and numbness in your tongue, lower lip, chin, teeth and gums.

The damage is usually temporary, lasting for a few weeks or months. However, it can be permanent if the nerve has been severely damaged.

A nerve injury can interfere with your daily activities, making things such as eating and drinking difficult. However, a nerve injury will only cause sensation problems – it won't cause any weakness to your lip or tongue.

Your dentist or surgeon will try to minimise the possibility of nerve damage when removing your wisdom tooth, and they should tell you about the risk of complications before the procedure.

General anaesthetic

General anaesthetic is occasionally needed for the removal of wisdom teeth.

It carries some additional risks, but complications are very rare, occurring in less than 1 in every 10,000 cases.

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

Halitosis, or bad breath, is another frequent oral health concern across the world, similar to tooth decay.

Bad breath is a common after-effect of having a tooth extracted, as well as many other oral surgeries. Besides being unpleasant, bad breath after tooth extraction can be a sign of a bigger problem. It is usually not a cause for immediate concern, however, as many of the more serious problems that could occur after tooth extraction are accompanied by other, more noticeable symptoms.

So what causes bad breath after a tooth extraction, and what do you do about it?

Identifying The Causes of Bad Breath After Tooth Extraction

Bad taste in mouth after wisdom teeth removal but no pain

  • Bacterial Infection

Bad breath after a tooth extraction is sometimes caused by bacteria infecting the wound left by the extracted tooth. Many forms of oral bacteria create foul-smelling chemicals that are carried out of your mouth by your breath. In these cases, the bad breath is often accompanied by a fever, pus, and severe pain. If you are experiencing any of the symptoms of an infected wound, seek immediate treatment from your dentist.

  • Post-Surgery Bleeding

It is not uncommon for your gums to still be bleeding a little after surgery. The blood accumulating in your mouth, especially overnight, can give your breath an unpleasant smell. If bleeding persists after a tooth extraction, you should see your dentist to check if there is a problem.

  • Dry Socket

A dry socket is a condition that occurs when the blood clot over the empty tooth socket fails to form properly or becomes dislodged, exposing the bone to debris. Dry socket is most common after wisdom tooth extractions. You are more susceptible to the risk of the dry socket if you smoke or do not follow your dentist’s post-surgery instructions.

  • Poor Oral Hygiene

It can be uncomfortable to brush your teeth properly after a tooth extraction, and a lot of people will avoid or only brush lightly over the area around where the tooth was extracted. This enables the bacterial plaque to form and can result in food getting stuck between your teeth and starting to rot, creating an unpleasant smell. 

After tooth extraction, it is more important than ever to maintain good oral hygiene, as you have a wound in your mouth that needs to be protected from infection. 

  • Dry Mouth

Besides helping you to digest food, your saliva is also an important chemical that your body uses as a natural cleaning agent for your mouth. Saliva plays a vital role in washing bacteria and the smelly chemicals they produce out of your mouth. A reduction in your saliva production prevents this process from happening properly, giving you bad breath.

Reduced saliva production is a common side effect of many of the pain medications that are prescribed after tooth extraction. Since you will have a breathing tube inserted while under anesthetic that leaves your mouth open during the surgery, it is normal to wake up with a very dry mouth after a tooth has been extracted.

How To Deal With Bad Breath After a Tooth Extraction?

The most important and effective way to treat bad breath after a tooth extraction is to maintain good oral hygiene. Buy a toothbrush with very soft bristles, and ask your dentist about the best way to brush the affected area without disturbing the healing process. After the first few days, brush and use mouthwash after every meal, and remember to brush your tongue as well as your teeth, as your tongue can carry a lot of bacteria that can easily spread to your empty tooth socket. 

Mouthwash is the fastest way to get rid of any extra bacteria that might have built up in your mouth as a result of dryness post-surgery. Most dentists advise against using mouthwash in the first 24 hours after having your tooth extracted as the wound is still fresh.

The dryness itself will contribute to the causes of bad breath after oral surgery, so drink plenty of water, but avoid excessive rinsing and spitting, as this will get rid of the saliva that protects your mouth from bacteria and cleans away chemicals that can cause odor. 

If you are a smoker, smoking can greatly reduce the rate at which a wound in your mouth will heal, makes you more susceptible to dry mouth, and also puts you at greater risk of getting a dry socket. If you cannot give up nicotine for the duration of your recovery period, consider at least switching to a delivery mechanism that does not involve smoking, such as vaping. Although this still harms wound healing, it is far less detrimental than tobacco smoke.

Conclusion

If you have a bad breath after having a tooth extracted, there is no need to panic. If you are not experiencing any other symptoms such as pain, bleeding, or a fever, then it is unlikely that there is a serious problem. If your bad breath persists after a day or two, however, it is a good idea to see your dentist, both to make sure nothing is wrong and also to get their advice on what is causing it for you.

If any other negative symptoms occur after surgery, these could be a sign of something more serious and should be discussed with your dentist.

Does bad taste in mouth mean dry socket?

The pain typically starts about 2 days after the tooth was pulled. Over time it becomes more severe and can radiate to your ear. Other symptoms of dry socket include bad breath and an unpleasant smell and taste in your mouth.

Why does my mouth taste and smell bad after wisdom teeth removal?

Bad breath after a tooth extraction is sometimes caused by bacteria infecting the wound left by the extracted tooth. Many forms of oral bacteria create foul-smelling chemicals that are carried out of your mouth by your breath. In these cases, the bad breath is often accompanied by a fever, pus, and severe pain.

What does an infected tooth extraction taste like?

That's because, after any dental procedure, there's a chance of bacteria entering the body. Some signs of an infection in the mouth include bad breath, a sour or bitter taste, fever, sensitivity to hot and cold, and swelling or tenderness in the gums, neck, or jaw.

What does dry socket taste like?

No associated taste. Bad breath. Foul odor coming from the extraction site.