Pain after wisdom tooth extraction This may be a normal phenomenon. After the anesthetic effect wears off, most patients experience pain just after the tooth has been extracted. Patients can relieve the pain by containing ice or applying ice packs, etc. If the pain is significant, pain medication can be taken as appropriate. After surgery, care should be taken not to rinse and brush the teeth, touch or lick the extraction wound with the hand or with the tip of the tongue to avoid dislodging of the blood clot and later problems such as infection, which can make the pain persist for several days without relief.