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What Are the Signs of Infection After Tooth Extraction?
Posted on June 14th, 2023
Tooth extraction surgery may be performed for a variety of reasons. Sometimes it’s done to eliminate infection, or remove a severely damaged tooth that cannot be repaired. Wisdom teeth that are causing pain or discomfort may also be removed to protect a patient’s oral health.
Regardless of the reason for extraction, it’s important to protect the area post procedure to avoid infection.
Continue reading to learn about the signs that point to a tooth infection after extraction surgery.
What Causes Infection After the Extraction of A Tooth
After dental surgery, your dentist will equip you with all the necessary after-care instructions to help your mouth heal quickly and without complications. However, infections can still occur. Patients are more likely to get an infection after tooth extraction if they smoke. Poor oral hygiene can also increase the risk of infection.
Signs of a Gum Infection After Tooth Extraction
Redness, swelling, tenderness, and minimal bleeding are normal immediately after surgery and can last for a couple days. However, the following signs can indicate there is an infection present after tooth extraction:
- Swelling worsens rather than subsides
- New swelling in surrounding tissues
- White or yellow pus or discharge coming from the surgery site
- Pain worsens rather than subsides
- Bad breath
- Bad taste in the mouth
- Continuous bleeding (for more than 24 hours)
- Fever
- Swollen glands
- Pain or discomfort returns after initially subsiding
A dental infection can be extremely painful and dangerous if left untreated. If you’ve had a tooth extracted and the pain is getting worse rather than better, or you have other reason to believe you may have an infection, contact your dentist as soon as possible. They’ll be able to prescribe the appropriate antibiotics to treat the infection and prevent it from worsening.
How To Eliminate an Infection After Tooth Extraction Surgery
The first step to treating a dental infection is to visit your dentist so they can prescribe antibiotics. You may also be prescribed pain medication and given a mouth rinse to help lessen discomfort.
Once you’ve started treatment, your dentist may recommend you use a cold compress on the outside of your mouth to help bring down swelling and inflammation. This will also help manage pain. It’s also important that you stay hydrated and monitor food intake so you don’t irritate the infected area.
If your infection is severe and there is excessive swelling present, your dentist may drain the area to help speed up the healing process.
If the infection has spread to your jaw bone, oral surgery may be necessary to remove the infected bone and thoroughly clean the area. Bone infection after tooth extraction symptoms can include those seen with minor dental infections, as listed above, as well as fatigue.
Preventing Infection After Tooth Extraction
You can help prevent an infected socket after tooth extraction by following the tips listed below.
- Follow the post-operative instructions your dentist gives you
- Avoid strenuous activity for at least 24 hours after surgery
- Be careful when eating and drinking so you don’t dislodge the blood clot that is slowly forming at the surgical site
- Avoid using straws
- Avoid smoking
- Keep the surgical site clean
- Use a mixture of warm water and salt to rinse your mouth out (talk to your dentist about how often you should rinse)
- Maintain good oral hygiene
- Be as gentle as possible when cleaning your teeth and gums (especially around the tooth socket)
After tooth extraction, you will encounter pain, swelling, and general discomfort, but you should feel better within 24-48 hours. If your condition worsens, it’s important to call your dentist to schedule a follow-up appointment as soon as possible.
Contact Us at Windy City Family Dental
At Windy City Family Dental, our experienced dental professionals offer a variety of services, including implant dentistry, cosmetic procedures, tooth extractions in Chicago, and more. If you have any questions regarding tooth extraction surgery, you can count on us to provide the answers you need.
Contact us at Windy City Family Dental today to schedule an appointment.
