Infection Symptoms After Wisdom Tooth Removal

The wisdom teeth are the last teeth to grow into the mouth. They can be extracted if, as often happens, they grow in odd ways and threaten the health of the rest of your teeth. The operation can be done in the dentist´s office. It is not complex. However, an infection could develop after the extraction.

identification

• Pain that lasts longer than 48 hours following the procedure, swelling of the gum at removal site, odor coming from the mouth, and a fever are symptoms associated with infections following wisdom tooth removal.

Significance

• If bacteria enter the gums after the tooth is removed, it can get into the blood and lead to a serious health problem. If you believe you may have an infection or if you have had problems with infections after dental surgery in the past, you may want to take some antibiotics as a preventative.

Causes

• Pain and gum swelling are results of inflammation caused when the immune system attacks the bacteria at the heart of the infection. This also leads to the fever.

Prevention

• To reduce the risks of an infection, rinse your mouth with warm salt water as directed by your dentist. This can help keep the area clear of bacteria. Taking antibiotics can also help prevent an infection.

Considerations

• If you have the symptoms of an infection, if your bleeding does not stop after applying pressure for 30 minutes, or if you have difficulty breathing and/or swallowing after the extraction, contact your dentist.