How Long Does Infection Last After Tooth Extraction
Infections are common following tooth pulling. Depending on how bad the tooth was that the dental specialist removed, they may recommend you a few antibiotics to take to decrease your risk of getting an infection.
Remember, any surgical procedure carries the risk of infection. Oral surgery is no exception. Successfully preventing it after a dental activity relies upon following the post-operation instructions of your dental surgeon. Read below to know what the possibilities of infection are after tooth extraction.
Infection From Tooth Extraction: Symptoms Treatments And Prevention
Having a tooth pulled in adulthood is sometimes necessary. In fact, there is a chance of complications, even if the procedure you get is straightforward. One of the more severe complications is developing an infection from tooth extraction. This is a painful condition that can lead to a much more threatening situation. So, if you think you have an infection from your recent dental treatment, or visit this website right away to get the help you need. In any case, heres what to look for if you are worried about complications developing after your tooth extraction, including the treatment and prevention you need to know.
What To Expect With Tooth Extraction
Dentists and oral surgeons perform tooth extractions. Before pulling the tooth, your dentist will give you an injection of a local anesthetic to numb the area where the tooth will be removed. In some instances, your dentist may use a strong general anesthetic. This will prevent pain throughout your body and make you sleep through the procedure.
If the tooth is impacted, the dentist will cut away gum and bone tissue that cover the tooth and then, using forceps, grasp the tooth and gently rock it back and forth to loosen it from the jaw bone and ligaments that hold it in place. Sometimes, a hard-to-pull tooth must be removed in pieces.
Once the tooth has been pulled, a blood clot usually forms in the socket. The dentist will pack a gauze pad into the socket and have you bite down on it to help stop the bleeding. Sometimes the dentist will place a few stitches — usually self-dissolving — to close the gum edges over the extraction site.
Sometimes, the blood clot in the socket breaks loose, exposing the bone in the socket. This is a painful condition called dry socket. If this happens, your dentist will likely place a sedative dressing over the socket for a few days to protect it as a new clot forms.
Recommended Reading: Can Augmentin Be Used For Tooth Infection
An Infected Tooth Is Not A Problem To Take Lightly
While there may be time to save an infected tooth, you should not write this off as a minor problem. Infections can occur when an injury leaves a tooth exposed to bacteria, or when a cavity continues to grow until bacteria are able to gain entry to the pulp and attack the living tissues within your tooth. You can experience pain because of this, find it hard to bite and chew, or struggle with sensitivity. The tooth itself may change color, and you may notice swelling in the surrounding gum tissues. If too much time passes, bacteria can spread far enough, and do enough harm, to leave extraction as the only treatment option available.
The Signs Of An Infection After A Tooth Extraction
A boneinfection after tooth extraction is a dangerous ailment. If not treated, a patient can go into sepsis. Sepsis is an infection caused by anything that enters the bloodstream and can impair flow to the vital organs in your system. As the sepsis infection worsens, it can impact your breathing, affect the oxygen levels throughout your body, can cause dehydration, and can even lead to mental and emotional distress. If you are worried that you have signs of infection after oral surgery, please call your dentist for an appointment.
If you suspect that you could have a bone infection after a tooth extraction, it is best to see your dentist immediately. The risk for sepsis increases the longer a bone infection is left untreated, as such several dentists offer same day, urgent care treatment of this serious condition. Saltwater rinses can help with pain while youre waiting for an appointment. Your dentist will drain the infection, if possible, to speed up the healing process and then prescribe an antibiotic.
An infected socket after tooth extraction is a different story. It is caused by the bacteria infecting the gumline around the exposed socket within one or two days of the extraction, causing swelling and redness. An infected socket can be just as serious as a bone infection after tooth extraction, so its best to call your dentist right away. An infected socket after tooth extraction can lead to sepsis if not taken care of quickly
Previous article
Also Check: Over The Counter Medicine For A Tooth Infection
Preventing A Tooth Infection
There are several things that you can do in your daily life to help prevent a tooth infection from occurring. Examples include:
- brushing your teeth with a fluoride toothpaste twice each day
- flossing between your teeth each day
- reducing your intake of sugary or starchy foods and drinks
- scheduling regular dental cleanings and exams
- seeing a dentist promptly following any tooth pain or injury, such as a chip or crack
Type Of Tooth Extraction Infections
There are three main types of tooth extraction infections.
- Periodontal: This includes gum infection after extraction
- Endodontic: An infection inside the tooth itself or in the jawbone
- Other: The lips, palate, and tongue can become infected
In some cases, patients might also experience an ear infection after extraction. For very rare cases, a deep neck infection in the cervical vertebrae may occur after tooth extraction.
Also Check: How To Get Rid Of Mold Infection
How Do I Know If My Tooth Extraction Is Infected 8 Signs
Even if your tooth extraction is simple and straightforward, there is a chance of complications. One of the more serious complications is tooth extraction infection, a painful condition that can lead to sepsis. Worldwide, sepsis is fatal in a third of the people who contract it, with survivors sometimes suffering lasting health issues that include PTSD and chronic pain. Dont let it go that far. Here are eight signs of tooth extraction infection .
Can A Dentist Pull An Infected Tooth
Will the presence of infection delay your extraction procedure? | Treatment approaches used when swelling is present. | Are antibiotics needed when extracting infected teeth?
If you have a tooth thats been bothering you, you may be eager to have it removed as soon as possible. But if its infected, and especially if swelling is present, you may wonder if that will cause a delay in having it extracted?
Also Check: Loratadine 10 Mg For Sinus Infection
A Dentist May Need To Extract Severely Damaged Teeth
All dentists are qualified to perform emergency tooth extractions if and when necessary. Tooth extractions are a relatively common oral surgical procedure and may be necessary if your tooth is severely damaged or infected. If you need an emergency tooth extraction in Terre Haute, Dr. Roshini Durga Paruchuri and Dr. Nilanchal Sahai can help.
Our dentists are fully trained and equipped to handle a wide range of dental emergencies with skillful ease and determine the best way to restore your smile and give you relief from your pain and discomfort.
When To Call The Dentist
It is normal to feel some pain after the anesthesia wears off. For 24 hours after having a tooth pulled, you should also expect some swelling and residual bleeding. However, if either bleeding or pain is still severe more than four hours after your tooth is pulled, you should call your dentist. You should also call your dentist if you experience any of the following:
Recommended Reading: Keep Getting Utis And Yeast Infections
The Importance Of Tooth Infection Treatment
A tooth infection or dental abscess is not something to be ignored. The symptoms may be bearable at the onset of infection but will become more painful and noticeable over time. But its the spread of infection that makes a tooth abscess so dangerous.
As recent as the early 1900s, tooth infections killed 10 to 40% of those diagnosed. Advances in dentistry have lowered those numbers but a tooth infection left unattended can spread into your jaw, head, neck, heart and other parts of your body. Untreated tooth abscess complications include , bone infections, soft tissue death, and even brain infections.
Tooth abscess symptoms are meant to warn your body that something is wrong. And treating an abscessed tooth early decreases the risk of necessary tooth extraction. It is indeed wise to be obsessed with treating your abscess.
Can A Tooth Be Extracted While Infected
People believe that infected or abscessed teeth are better not extracted until the infection subsides. Unfortunately, the truth is entirely different because, in most cases, the best option to get rid of the condition is to have the tooth extracted. The treatment method used by the dentist to treat the infection depends on its location and the extent.
Infections in a tooth encourage your mouth bacteria to get to the dental pulp to cause nerve damage. It is why pulling a tooth while infected is recommended by dentists to prevent additional damage to your mouth. Root canal treatments sometimes help if your tooth hasnt suffered extensive damage. The therapy helps drain the abscess to allow the dentist to clean the pulp chamber before sealing it to prevent bacteria from re-entering.
Also Check: Antibiotics For Tooth Infection Metronidazole
Will The Er Pull A Tooth
Walk-ins to an emergency room would be given antibiotics or pain medication and told to contact their dentist. Not only can they not pull teeth in an emergency room, it is illegal for anyone other than a dentist to perform an emergency tooth extraction, emergency root canal or any other dental care.
Post Tooth Extraction Infections & How To Beat Them
Once a tooth has been extracted, bacteria will still be alive in the mouth, even more so with those who have bad oral hygiene. Infections are very common following extractions. Depending on how bad the tooth was that the dentist removed, he may prescribe you some antibiotics to take that will greatly reduce your risk of getting an infection. In some cases though, even antibiotics cant prevent an infection.
If you go to the dentist before the extraction experienced swelling of the face, swollen gums, pain in your teeth under light pressure, or bleeding around the extraction site, then you may already have an infection. If you indeed have an infection before you get the tooth treated, the dentist will prescribe you antibiotics to use following treatment. If you have a really bad abscess, youll need to use antibiotics to treat the infection before the dentist will remove the tooth.
In some cases, people develop an infection after the extraction, even though they may not have been infected beforehand. The reason for this, is bacteria. Following an extraction, bacteria will be more alive in the mouth than ever before. With the extraction site being exposed, the bacteria will be able to get into the site. This can lead to an infection due to the site being exposed and the fact that you are unable to use mouthwash or brush during the first 24 48 hours. Not being able to sterilize your mouth means that you are unable to kills the germs responsible for bacteria.
Recommended Reading: Infection Control Risk Assessment Matrix
Can You Get A Wisdom Tooth Pulled While Infected
Wisdom teeth, your third molars emerging between 17 and 25, often do not have sufficient room in the jaw to remain impacted below the gum line. As a result, they make you susceptible to infections like tooth decay and gum disease. Wisdom teeth are problematic, and the lack of space in your jaw makes it challenging to maintain appropriate oral hygiene.
If you have an infected and impacted wisdom tooth, your dentist will likely not recommend leaving it in your mouth to create additional infections. Besides damaging the neighboring teeth, infections from the wisdom tooth can affect other parts of your jaw, head, or neck. They can even cause brain damage, making it necessary to have the infected tooth removed to prevent complications.
Removal of the infected tooth doesnt eliminate the infection in your jawbone, requiring antibiotics to eradicate the condition from your mouth.
Reasons For Pulling Teeth
Although permanent teeth were meant to last a lifetime, there are a number of reasons why tooth extraction may be needed. A very common reason involves a tooth that is too badly damaged, from trauma or decay, to be repaired. Other reasons include:
A crowded mouth. Sometimes dentists pull teeth to prepare the mouth for orthodontia. The goal of orthodontia is to properly align the teeth, which may not be possible if your teeth are too big for your mouth. Likewise, if a tooth cannot break through the gum because there is not room in the mouth for it, your dentist may recommend pulling it.
Infection. If tooth decay or damage extends to the pulp — the center of the tooth containing nerves and blood vessels — bacteria in the mouth can enter the pulp, leading to infection. Often this can be corrected with root canal therapy , but if the infection is so severe that antibiotics or RCT do not cure it, extraction may be needed to prevent the spread of infection.
Risk of infection. If your immune system is compromised , even the risk of infection in a particular tooth may be reason enough to pull the tooth.
Periodontal disease. If periodontal disease — an infection of the tissues and bones that surround and support the teeth — have caused loosening of the teeth, it may be necessary to pull the tooth or teeth.
Also Check: I Get A Yeast Infection Before Every Period
Types Of Tooth Infections & Abscesses
Periapical abscess: An abscess a the tip of your tooths root. It can be caused by a cracked tooth or cavity and spreads from the pulp inside of your tooth
Periodontal abscess: An abscess on your gum next to a tooth, caused by an infection that spreads to the bone and supporting tissues around your teeth.
Gingival abscess: An abscess resulting in an infection in your gums.
How To Prevent Infection
Prevention is the best treatment for infection after tooth extraction. When you get dental extraction, be sure to follow tooth extraction aftercare and practice good oral care as instructed by your dentist.
Follow-up appointments are crucial to ensure the blood clot is in place and your extraction sites are clean and recovering.
Recommended Reading: Summer’s Eve For Yeast Infection
How Is An Abscessed Tooth Diagnosed
In addition to examining the tooth and surrounding tissue for signs of infection, your dentist may:
- Recommend an X-ray. This can help identify sources of dental disease that may have led to the infection. Your dentist can also use X-rays to determine if the infection has spread and may be affecting other areas.
- Recommend a CT scan. If the infection has spread to other areas within the neck, this will help to identify the extent of the infection.
- Tap and press on your teeth. A tooth with an abscess is often sensitive to touch or pressure.
- Thermal tests. These tests will help your dentist determine the health of your pulpal tissues.
Can A Tooth Abscess Be Prevented
Practising good dental care can reduce your risk of a tooth abscess. This includes:
- brushing your teeth twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste
- using floss or an interdental brush daily
- avoiding having too much sugary food and drinks, and limiting them to mealtimes where possible
- visiting your dentist regularly for check-ups and cleaning
- cutting down on sugary foods and drinks
- not smoking
Don’t Miss: Antibiotics For Strep Skin Infection
Preventing Dental Infections With Good Dental Health
Preventing infections in your mouth will help you reduce your risk of developing sepsis. Usual recommendations are to visit your dentist twice a year for up-to-date x-rays, exams, and dental cleanings.
Good oral hygiene is the first basic step in promoting good dental health and preventing infections. Children should learn these habits early on to help them keep healthy mouths and teeth.
- Brush your teeth thoroughly at least twice a day.
- Floss your teeth at least once a day.
- Dont over brush brushing too hard or with too hard a brush can damage your teeth. Ask your dental hygienist for the best way for you to brush your teeth.
- Dont use your teeth to open packaging, break string, etc. Your teeth are strong, but they are for chewing food, not hard objects. These can crack, chip, or break teeth.
- Visit your dental office at least twice a year for a thorough cleaning and check-up.
- If you have had dental work, watch for any signs of infection and contact your dentist if you experience any of the signs listed above.
Signs Of A Tooth Extraction Infection
Pain after tooth extraction is not uncommon but should be neither excessive nor long-lasting. This is often the very first sign of infection.
For all types of tooth extraction infection, the signs are similar in the beginning. Look for the following eight signs of infection:
Patients who develop an ear infection as a result of tooth extraction may also experience ear pain and dizziness. Other common symptoms include pain or pressure across the sinuses and a feeling of fullness in the head.
A deep neck infection may come with the same symptoms but must be diagnosed with an MRI.
There are a few symptoms that are serious enough to trigger an immediate trip to the emergency room). Fever and swelling in the jaw together, with or without difficulty breathing, means you may be experiencing potentially fatal sepsis . Call your emergency dentist, and if they are not available, go immediately to the closest emergency room.
Read Also: Does Zpack Cause Yeast Infection