Understanding Root Canal Procedures

Signs Of Infection After Oral Surgery

25 June 2015

Diane Mason

Having oral surgery is no stroll in the park. Your mouth is left swollen and painful after the procedure, and if you're already hurting, it's easy to unintentionally let an infection make itself at home. Here's what to do if your surgery site becomes infected.

Symptoms Of An Oral Infection

It's a given that you will experience some discomfort after oral surgery. However, that discomfort should be cleared up within several days, depending on your procedure. If the pain hasn't cleared up by then, it's time to take a closer look. If an infection has started to take hold you may notice symptoms like:

• Swelling around the gums or the jaw
• A fever, which is anything above 100°F when measured with an oral thermometer
• Pain or sensitivity to hot and cold

When You Should Worry About Bleeding

When you have a tooth extracted, your blood forms a beneficial clot at the extraction site. This clot protects your nerves from being exposed. Sometimes, this clot becomes dislodged. When this happens your nerves become exposed to the air which can become painful.

This newly opened pathway to your nerves and bone also leaves you susceptible to infection as food particles and bacteria can safely settle themselves there. If the blood clot becomes dislodged you may notice your procedure site bleeding, or you may have a bad taste in your mouth.

What You Can Do If You Think You Have An Infection

If you're concerned about the possibility of infection, the first thing you should do is to contact your dentist. In the meantime, you should use a salt water rinse to cleanse your mouth. The rinse will keep bacteria at bay and help to dislodge any food particles. If your infection worsens, you may want to go see an emergency dentist.

It's important that you don't put off seeing someone if you suspect an infection. If you wait too long, you may develop an infection called sepsis, which is an infection of the blood. Sepsis is a serious infection and kills 210,000 people each year in the United States.

If your regular dentist is unavailable, don't hesitate to contact an emergency dentist like Dr. David K. Skeels. They will be able to advise you of the best course of action regarding your oral infection. They will be able to prescribe you any necessary treatments or antibiotics until you are able to see your dentist. 

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