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Dental Surgical Wound Infection

If you are undergoing dental surgery, one potential complication you will risk is developing a dental surgical wound infection. Your doctor can explain the risks and discuss treatment options with you.

  1. Dental Surgery

    • Dental surgery includes procedures such as attaching dental implants to your jawbone (see Colgate: Dental Implant) or, in some cases, removing impacted wisdom teeth through an incision in your gums.

    Surgical Wound Infection

    • A surgical wound is the incision your surgeon makes in your skin during a procedure. It is at risk for becoming infected with bacteria during surgery or while you are recovering, says the Journal of the American Medical Association.

    Symptoms

    • According to Colgate, symptoms of a dental surgical wound infection include fever, pain and swelling near the incision site and trouble opening your mouth.

    Treatment

    • You will be given antibiotics to help clear the infection. If pus has built up within the surgical wound, it could need to be drained away.

    Prevention

    • To prevent surgical wound infection after dental surgery, your doctor could give you antibiotics before the procedure. Rinsing with products containing chlorohexidene during your recovery can also lessen your risk of infection, according to "Oral and Maxillofacial Infection."

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