Why Do I Throw Up After Wisdom Teeth Removal?

Let’s be real—getting your wisdom teeth pulled is already a nightmare on its own. The swollen face, sore jaw, and the fact that you can’t even enjoy solid food for days… yeah, not exactly a party. But here’s the kicker: some folks, maybe you too, end up throwing up afterward. Gross, right? And also kind of alarming.

If you’re asking yourself, “Why did I throw up after getting my wisdom teeth out?”—you’re definitely not alone. It’s actually more common than you’d think, and it doesn’t always mean something serious is wrong. I’ve been through it too (and trust me, it wasn’t pretty), but there’s usually a solid explanation for the post-surgery nausea.

Let’s Talk About Nausea First

Before we get into the details, let’s be real—throwing up after oral surgery is the worst. Your mouth’s packed with gauze, Not fun.

But it’s actually more common than you might think. And the main culprit? Anesthesia.

Most people don’t realize how strong anesthesia really is. Whether it’s full-on general anesthesia or sedation through an IV, your body might not react so smoothly to it. When I got my wisdom teeth out, the anesthesia made me dizzy and nauseated for hours. Honestly, I should’ve expected it—I’m sensitive to meds in general—but at the time, it caught me off guard.

So if you’re thinking, why do I throw up after wisdom teeth removal, think about the meds they gave you first. That’s usually where the trouble starts.

Painkillers Could Be the Bad Guy Too

Okay, here’s the second reason: pain meds.

A lot of dentists prescribe strong painkillers like hydrocodone or oxycodone. These opioids can absolutely wreck your stomach if you’re not careful. If you took one of those on an empty stomach—yep, that might be it. Even the gentler meds like ibuprofen or Tylenol can mess with your stomach—especially when your body’s already under stress.
And if you’re anything like me and skipped eating after surgery? Yeah, that definitely doesn’t help. That empty stomach + strong meds combo is a recipe for disaster. Trust me, the toilet bowl doesn’t care that you were trying to be tough.

Swallowing Blood (Yep, It’s a Thing)

Here’s something people don’t talk about enough. After surgery, you’ll likely bleed a bit. It’s nothing unusual. But when you’re lying back or keeping your mouth closed, you might end up swallowing some blood without meaning to.

Fun fact: blood in your stomach? Makes you throw up.

It happened to my cousin when he got his wisdom teeth pulled. He thought he was dying. Turns out, he’d just swallowed too much blood during the night. His stomach couldn’t take it, and well…you know the rest.

So again, if you’re asking yourself why do I throw up after wisdom teeth removal, think about whether you’ve been swallowing blood without realizing it.

Stress and Nerves

Let’s not ignore the psychological side of it. I mean, surgery can be stressful. Even if you’re totally chill beforehand, your body reacts in weird ways after the fact. Some people’s gut just gets overwhelmed with the combination of nerves, pain, and all the bodily chaos that follows.

You might not even realize you’re anxious until you’re sweating and nauseous on the couch wondering what’s happening. That was me after day two—no meds, no blood, just raw nerves and a ton of discomfort.

Infections or Other Complications (Rare but Possible)

Look, I’m not here to scare you—but in some rare cases, throwing up could be a sign that something’s off. Maybe an infection is brewing. Maybe there’s dry socket (ugh, don’t Google it unless you’re brave). If you’ve been throwing up a lot or still nauseous after two days, it’s worth giving your dentist a call.

That being said, one round of vomiting doesn’t automatically mean disaster. So don’t panic right away.

What Can You Do About It?

Now that you have some idea of why do I throw up after wisdom teeth removal, let’s talk about what to actually do if it happens.

First, don’t lie flat right after surgery. Keep your head elevated. Lying down makes it easier for blood to pool and be swallowed.

Second, take meds with food. Even if it’s just a few spoonfuls of applesauce or a piece of toast, get something in your belly first.

Third, sip water slowly. You need to stay hydrated, but chugging water after puking just invites round two. Go slow.

And lastly, rest. Your body’s been through more than you think. Now’s not the time to play tough—kick your feet up, binge something on Netflix, catch a nap, and let yourself recover properly.

Final Thoughts

So, if you’re sitting there post-op thinking, “Why do I throw up after wisdom teeth removal,” now you’ve got a few likely answers. It’s usually the meds, the anesthesia, or just your body’s natural response to a whole lot of stuff happening all at once.