THE TELL TALE SIGNS OF INFECTION: AFTER A DENTAL EXTRACTION

A bone infection after tooth extraction is a threatening malady. If not treated, a patient can go into sepsis. Sepsis is a type of infection that is caused by anything virus, bacterial, or fungal that enters the bloodstream and can impair flow to the vital organs in your system. As the 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 an infection after a tooth extraction, it is best to see your dentist immediately. The risk for sepsis increases the longer a bone infection remains untreated, as such several dentists offer same day, urgent care treatment of this serious condition. Saltwater rinses can help with pain while you’re 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 commonly mistaken for a dry socket, which is the result of your tooth socket being empty and having raw bone exposed. There’s no infection, swelling, or redness. However, it’s a painful condition that takes a long time to heal. Once teeth are extracted, and if the blood clot gets dislodged, it is basically raw bone on all sides.  This is why a dry socket can be so very painful and why people think they have an infection when they don’t.

An infected socket after tooth extraction is a whole other 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 it’s best to call your dentist right away. An infected socket after tooth extraction can lead to sepsis if not taken care of quickly

Signs of infection after wisdom tooth extraction

These are signs and symptoms that you may have a bone or socket infection after tooth extraction.

– Bad breath 

– Bitter taste 

– Fever over 101

– Pain that doesn’t respond to prescribed painkillers

-Temperature sensitivity on teeth

– Swollen glands of the neck

– Swelling of the jaw

– Pain at extraction point or socket

– Radiating pain down jaw line

– Difficulty swallowing or breathing

– Excessive bleeding

– Persistent numbness or loss of feeling