Inflammation after a wisdom tooth operation

introduction

The Wisdom teeth, also 8th or third molars, are common problem candidates for everyone and cause almost everyone unpleasant pain at one point in their life. The distance With over 1 million operations performed in Germany each year, these teeth are one of the Routine interventions in the Dentistrywhich are usually carried out by an experienced surgeon without any further complications. But even after the operation, a inflammation train and have unpleasant consequences.

The engagement

The reasons for such an intervention can be different. Does the 8 cause a Inflammation, the Risk of a cystif it damages the adjacent second molar (7th), it causes a Contraction of teeth or prevents prosthetic fitting, is the indication for one extraction given. Of course even if he did badly damaged by caries is, he cannot be taken care of due to his location or he has a weak point in the jaw represents.

The removal usually begins with the Local anesthesia of the area. A general anesthetic is actually not necessary and is usually not covered by health insurance, but it can by request of the patient. Then we do that Gums cut open around the tooth to be removed so that the Jawbone and parts of the tooth become visible. In some cases, some bone substance must also be removed and it may be that the Tooth divided because it has an unusual shape. After Extraction of the tooth becomes the wound sewn with a threadwhich is usually pulled after 10 days.

Risks

Since it is a surgical procedure, it is also associated with possible risks. The general risks include bleeding during the operation or for up to three days afterwards. The wound may not heal properly or become infected. Pain, swelling after surgery, and bruising can also occur. During the operation it can happen that the adjacent tooth is damaged or the maxillary sinus is opened.

In the lower jaw, there is a risk that the lower lip will become numb as the nerve supplying it can be injured. The numbness usually goes away after a certain time.

Please also read the following article: Pain after wisdom tooth surgery

Behavior after the operation

To keep the chances of inflammation as low as possible after the procedure, it is important to keep a few things in mind. Sports activities should be avoided for up to 14 days after the procedure, as the body is still weakened or the wound has not yet completely healed and the blood pressure is increased due to physical activity.
Tobacco or coffee consumption (also energy drinks) or alcohol should be avoided in the first few days. Drinks containing caffeine increase the risk of rebleeding. Nicotine can cause the wound to become inflamed and it will not heal properly. Smoking should not be restarted until healing is complete.

Read more on the topic: Eating after a wisdom tooth operation

A direct supply of heat, such as direct sunlight, should be avoided. The wound should be cooled as it relieves pain and reduces swelling.
A swollen and thick cheek is normal, often it is also slightly bluish in color. The tissue is heavily used and irritated, but this fades more and more with the days after the operation.

Dental care can be continued as usual, primarily with a soft toothbrush.
The wound should, however, be left out for the first few days. After about 2-3 days you can also rinse the mouth with a 0.1% chlorhexidine-containing mouthwash, as this reduces the number of germs. However, this should not be done immediately after the operation.
The mouth rinsing process should be done gently and not too forcefully, otherwise the wound could open. It is best to take some of the liquid into your mouth and tilt your head slightly and contemplatively in all directions.
Dairy products should not be consumed because they contain lactic acid bacteria that attack the blood clot and thus endanger wound healing, which can lead to renewed inflammation.

Read more on the topic: Wound healing disorder on the tooth

Water and light foods, such as soups or porridge, are the most suitable food for the first few days, in contrast to very solid and crumbly food. Since the mouth opening is still restricted by the swelling, pulpy foods are easier to consume.

Symptoms of Postoperative Inflammation

A inflammation after the operation it is noticeable that the body Pain caused. Also fever can occur. In no case should you shy away from the person treating you with the symptoms mentioned or general uncertainty To see a doctor, because this is the only way for it to act immediately and prevent the spread of inflammation. He will look at the inflammation and take the necessary steps. Usually this is one Antibiotic therapyto kill the bacteria and eliminate the source of inflammation.

Inflammation with pus formation

A pus formation indicates a beginning abscess down. An abscess is a pus-filled, encapsulated cavity. It occurs when the wound becomes infected and no further measures are taken to ensure proper healing. This happens, for example, if the wound has come into contact with bacteria or a piece of tooth has remained in the tooth socket.

Warmth or heat can greatly accelerate this process, as bacteria can then multiply more easily. Since an abscess can be very dangerous and threaten internal organs, the treating dentist should be consulted immediately if pus forms. Don't waste valuable time! The doctor can open the abscess and thus ensure proper wound healing.

How long does the inflammation last after the operation?

No precise information can be given about the duration of the inflammation of a wisdom tooth. Sometimes the inflammation starts briefly, within 2-3 days after the tooth extraction, sometimes later. This depends on the Cause of inflammation, the physical condition and the Defenses of the person concerned, as well as the Oral hygienethat the patient exhibits after the operation. However, if the inflammation is recognized quickly and the cause removed, the wound can heal again very quickly. This process too depends on the individual situation of the patient and sometimes takes a little longer or shorter than usual.

How can you recognize inflammation yourself after an operation?

The first signs of an inflamed surgical wound after a wisdom tooth extraction are strong Pain. Although pain is quite normal in the first 2-5 days after a tooth extraction, if it is excessively severe despite the use of painkillers, a visit to the doctor cannot do any harm. Usually there is also a Burnespecially if food or liquid touches the wound, as well as a slight reddening of the area.

If you wait, it can happen that a swelling of the cheek develops, which can also be seen from the outside through its reddening. Patients often complain of a "big cheek".

At the latest when there is a loss of function due to swelling or pain and you can no longer bite or breathe properly, a doctor should be consulted immediately.

Medication

Supportive to recovery and relief from the Pain (Wound pain) the attending physician may prescribe pain medication.
These are usually Paracetamol or Ibuprofen. Means me Acetylsalicylic acid (e.g. aspirin) are less suitable as they are the Inhibit blood clotting.

If the procedure was particularly complicated or if there was a previous infection, the doctor will advise you antibiotic prescribed. This avoids infection inflammation.
In any case, it is important that this is taken for as long as the doctor has prescribed, otherwise there is a risk that the wound will become infected.

These pain relievers help best

Ibuprofen® is the pain medication of choice for inflamed wisdom teeth, as it has an anti-inflammatory effect in addition to the pain-relieving component. The Maximum daily dose are there 2400mg per day. However, since Ibuprofen® attacks the gastric mucosa, they are unsuitable for patients with stomach problems or must be taken with a stomach protector such as Pantozol®. If the pain persists despite Ibuprofen®, Ibuprofen® can be combined with Novalgin® drops. For a suitable dosage, you must consult the treating dentist, who will then probably want to look at the wound again in order to take the appropriate measures.

When should you take antibiotics?

Antibiotics should only be prescribed for a wisdom tooth extraction if it is really necessary. In this case, necessary means if the tooth was already inflamed before the operation or one Heart disease consists. Here, taking antibiotics prior to dental surgery is a mandatory measure to prevent a Endocaditis (Cardiac inflammation) to avoid. This is the case, for example, with artificial heart valves, congenital heart defects or previous heart transplants.

Otherwise it is not absolutely necessary to take antibiotics, provided that all precautionary measures are followed after the operation. Nevertheless it can happen that the surgical wound becomes infected. If the area turns red and there is a burning sensation when eating or a swelling of the cheek, you should definitely consult a dentist. He can then decide whether it makes sense to take it. However, you should not prescribe yourself any pills, because the risks that could arise from improperly taking antibiotics are too great.

These home remedies can help you

If the wound becomes infected after a wisdom tooth operation, you can first use home remedies before you have the opportunity to see your dentist.

Targeted cooling is helpful, for example: With cooling packs or cooling pads that are wrapped in a towel so as not to overcool the skin, you can temporarily hold the appropriate area from the outside. It is supposed to relieve the inflammatory pain, minimize the swelling and stop the tendency to spread. This is due to the fact that bacteria only multiply in a warm environment, which is why warmth would favor the signs of inflammation after surgical removal of the wisdom teeth. It is important to only cool for about 5 to 10 minutes at a time and not hold the cold pack on the affected area permanently, otherwise the body is signaled that the body is hypothermic. The body reacts to this with increased blood pressure and warmth, which in turn favors inflammation.

Furthermore, the clove extract can soothe the gums after the operation. It is important not to chew the clove directly on the spot, otherwise there is a risk of the clove getting into the wound. Therefore, the spice can be chewed 2 to 3 teeth away, which is supposed to counteract the inflammation.

Rinses with teas or spices are here Not recommended, as this would flush the "blood clot" that has formed and now closes the tooth socket out of this tooth socket. This would mean that the tooth socket would be empty, which would encourage infections and damage the wound closure, since the clotted blood cells normally convert into connective tissue cells. Therefore, the blood clot must remain after the tooth extraction. If the blood is flushed out, the clinical picture of Alveolitis sicca (= "the empty tooth socket"), in which the patient often quickly suffers from severe pain and should visit the dentist immediately.

Furthermore, the person affected should initially resort to soft foods and avoid the area when brushing their teeth.

Smoke

Since smoking is generally harmful, you should try to reduce this consumption to a minimum. However, especially after an operation in the oral cavity, smoking can greatly slow down healing. The reason for this is that the smoke gases spread throughout the oral cavity and the entire mucous membrane is in contact with it. Due to the constant irritation, the blood flow to the mucous membrane is reduced and the surgical wound cannot heal well as a result. In addition, wound healing disorders due to smoking as a result of an operation on the wisdom tooth are known. You should therefore wait until the wound has completely healed before smoking. Food like coffee or black tea can also impair wound healing and should be avoided for several days after a wisdom tooth operation.

Read more on the topic: Eating after a wisdom tooth operation

After pulling the threads

If it was necessary to sew up the wound to bring the wound edges as close together as possible for optimal wound closure or to reduce the risk of bleeding in patients taking blood thinners. As a result, the wound heals better in some cases, but the threads are also considered "dirt catchers": food residues and bacteria can settle in the fibers, which is why inflammation of the wound edges can occur as a possible complication. If the stitches are pulled after 7 to 10 days, the affected area may be inflamed due to bacteria, causing symptoms of pain. The wound healing is thus prolonged. However, by rinsing with a mouthwash containing chlorhexidine digluconate, the signs of inflammation subside within a week and the traumatized tissue heals. If the inflammation lasts longer than a week, the attending dentist must be visited.

Summary

In most cases, the removal of wisdom teeth is not a complicated procedure that should be carried out by a dentist you trust.Pain and swelling are normal during the healing process, but if they don't get better, an inflammation may have developed.
In most cases, however, this can be avoided by following the tips on how to behave after the operation and thus not exposing the wound to an increased risk of infection. The commonly prescribed antibiotic also prevents inflammation. After about a week the worst is over and the unpopular 8s will never cause problems again so quickly.

Also read: Pull wisdom tooth