If you recently had a tooth extraction, there is a small chance you could experience an infection. Though many patients complete their treatment without ever developing an infection, you should know the signs of this common complication and what to do if you think you have one.
As a patient or caregiver, it’s crucial to know what to do in case of an infection. Keep reading to learn about the signs of a tooth infection and treatments to help with a speedy recovery.
The best way to handle a tooth extraction infection is to prevent one from happening. You can help avoid this problem by following all your dentist’s aftercare instructions for proper healing. Here are some steps you might need to take after this procedure.
Avoid relying on natural remedies for a suspected tooth infection. Though some mouth rinses can provide short-term relief, you need to see your dentist as soon as possible to have the infection drained and treated with an antibiotic. Below are the steps you should take if you think you might have a tooth infection.
Avoid panicking about your symptoms. It’s possible that what you’re experiencing isn’t unusual following an extraction. If you only have some minor pain and swelling, it’s unlikely you have an infection. However, if you have other symptoms, pay attention to them and take your health seriously.
Immediately call your dentist if you get a bone infection after a tooth extraction or other treatment. If you delay or avoid medical attention, you can experience sepsis, an infection that enters the bloodstream and will begin to affect your vital organs.
If your symptoms are mild or you are uncertain if you need tooth infection treatment, contact your dentist for an appointment. Make sure you describe what you’re experiencing, so your dental team will have an idea of what’s going on before you come in.
If your symptoms are severe or you can’t get an immediate appointment to see your dentist, you should go to a walk-in clinic instead of waiting. Severe symptoms include frequent pain that medication has failed to alleviate, a high fever, bleeding that has persisted for longer than 24 hours and other troubling issues.
Since your risk of developing sepsis will increase if you have an infection that you avoid getting treatment for, you can seek urgent care if your dentist cannot see you right away.
In extreme cases, sepsis results in septic shock, which lowers your blood pressure and leads to organ failure. Septic shock is a treatable but life-threatening condition that warrants an emergency room trip.
Sepsis is easier to manage if you begin antibiotics in its early stages. If you think a bone infection after getting your tooth extracted has resulted in sepsis, seeking immediate treatment will help you avoid the worst-case scenario trip to the ER.
Before you seek treatment, you probably want to know how to tell if you have an infection after a wisdom tooth extraction or another procedure. If you recently developed an infection after having oral surgery, you will probably notice the same signs you would feel for a bone or socket infection. However, only your doctor can diagnose a tooth infection.
Below are the symptoms of this common complication:
Some pain is typical after your extraction, but it should gradually improve as your mouth heals instead of worsening. You might also have some bleeding and swelling, but these should resolve after 24 hours.
Symptoms that might indicate a severe infection or the beginning stage of sepsis include:
Sepsis is a rare but life-threatening condition that requires immediate medical intervention. If you or someone else appears to be experiencing septic shock, you should immediately go to your nearest emergency room.
Below are the symptoms of sepsis:
Your dentist will need to see you for an exam to confirm whether you have a tooth infection. They will also need to know how severe your infection is or if you will require any additional treatment. Typically, if you develop an infection, your dentist will prescribe an antibiotic that will serve as an effective treatment for your case.
If you get an infection after a tooth extraction, your dentist will need to prescribe a round of antibiotics. This medication targets and kills the microbes responsible for your tooth infection, allowing you to recover and heal. Patients might require different types of antibiotics depending on their medical history and allergies.
If you require an appointment for a tooth extraction, AZ Family Dental is here to help. Contact us online to schedule an appointment today.