Dental practice shows that wisdom teeth eruption often goes away with complications. When caries appears, they are not treated, but removal is recommended. As a result, these units, called third molars by dentists, are rarely saved. Today we will talk about the reasons for the swelling after the removal of a wisdom tooth. We will also find out what actions are recommended by specialists in cases of complications after surgery.
Some information about third molars
As a result of evolutionary changes, the human jaw has decreased in size. This is due to the fact that more and more dishes are consumed that do not require intensive chewing. Such objects of civilization as cutlery have simplified the task of grinding food for mankind. All this led, as we have already mentioned, to the transformationjaw arch.
Usually third molars, or, as they are popularly called, wisdom teeth, erupt at a fairly adult age. All other units by this time had long been formed and taken their places. That is why often there is simply no room for the location of third molars. In this regard, various complications arise that give a person a lot of unpleasant moments.
According to statistics, about 25% of the population is faced with the fact that their wisdom teeth could not erupt. Next, we will consider the dangers of such situations. Approximately 10% of our contemporaries do not form these units at all. The rest of the population, sooner or later, faces the problem of eruption or removal.
In connection with these situations, several questions become relevant. For example, many patients are interested in how to relieve swelling after the removal of a wisdom tooth. We will consider everything in order. We will find out for what reasons soft tissues swell, in what cases it is necessary to sound the alarm and, most importantly, how to alleviate the situation.
When should third molars be removed?
Often, at the time of growth, wisdom teeth deviate significantly to the side. In dentistry, such an anomaly is called dystopia. Depending on the degree of deviation from the norm, such units can cause various troubles. An improperly grown tooth is simply capable of injuring the surrounding tissues. He can also apply pressure to an adjacent unit, moving it. Allthis leads to pain and the beginning of the inflammatory process.
There is also such a concept in practice as an impacted tooth. This is the name of the units that could not cut through. Often they also cause soft tissue inflammation. The situation is resolved in several ways. In order to help the impacted tooth, the specialist excises the gum. If the unit has the correct location, then it is quite capable of being safely placed on the jaw arch. In cases of abnormal development of the third molar, it is simply removed.
There is another complication associated with teething - this is a delay. This anomaly is called retention in dentistry. Sometimes these abnormalities also require surgery.
Banny caries often leads to the removal of third molars. The whole problem lies in their location. The last teeth cannot be sufficiently processed during hygiene procedures. A toothbrush is simply not capable of removing all the plaque that has accumulated on them. Due to the same inconvenient location, third molars are not treated in case of a carious lesion, but are immediately removed.
Swelling after wisdom tooth removal: why does it appear?
We all understand that soft tissues are injured at the time of surgery. The specialist, using tools, cuts the gum to a greater or lesser extent. Therefore, swelling occurs after the removal of a wisdom tooth. This is considered normal and very common. Such a tumorcalled a natural physiological response. Usually, a specialist warns about the possibility of its manifestation before the operation. This situation is not dangerous. But this is only if the edema is really physiological in nature. A day or two after the operation, it should begin to decrease or completely disappear during this period. Pain should also appear less and less intense every day. In such cases, the patient should not worry if he has swelling after the removal of the wisdom tooth.
Inflammatory process
The influence of this factor makes swelling inevitable. If the interval between the onset of pain and a visit to a specialist is too large, then it can be assumed that an inflammatory focus has already formed. Soft tissues swell, redden and throb with pain. At the time of removal, the actions of the doctor, of course, are aimed at eliminating the inflammatory process. He treats the well with an antiseptic solution. With suppuration, the doctor may leave a drain in the wound in order to ensure the outflow of pus. Gives advice on the advisability of rinsing or taking oral medications.
Gum edema may also form after the removal of a wisdom tooth. If it is not physiological in nature, this will indicate the addition of an infection. After all, the hole remaining in place of the tooth is an excellent gateway for the penetration of various microbes into the body. In order to prevent this from happening, it is necessary to strictly adhere to the recommendations of a specialist after surgery.intervention.
Signs of inflammation
If the following symptoms are noticed after the operation, it is necessary to contact a specialist again.
1. The patient is worried about severe swelling after the removal of the wisdom tooth (over time, it does not decrease, but increases in size).
2. Pain increases in intensity.
3. Increased body temperature.
4. The general he alth of the patient has worsened.
5. There was an unpleasant smell from the oral cavity.
If at least one of the listed signs bothers the patient after surgery, you need to urgently contact the clinic. Self-medication is dangerous. Cases have been recorded when, as a result of neglect and untimely treatment, a harmless tooth extraction entailed serious consequences.
Swelling after complex surgery
A frequent occurrence in dental practice is swelling due to the removal of impacted and dystopic units. We have already mentioned that due to the abnormal location, development and difficulty in eruption, such teeth cause many problems. It happens that the third molar with its roots can intertwine with neighboring units or affect the nervous system. All these situations require careful attention and professional action on the part of the dental surgeon. During complex operations, soft tissues are significantly injured. Therefore, swelling after the removal of a wisdom tooth in the lower or upper jawalways occurs. In this situation, it remains only to ensure that he sleeps as quickly as possible, and there are no complications.
Alveolitis
In all the situations discussed earlier, soft tissue swelling occurs on the same day. And what to do if the physiological reaction has successfully passed, but after 4-5 days the tumor reappears? There are such situations in dental practice. Swelling of the cheek after the removal of a wisdom tooth may occur due to suppuration of a blood clot in the hole. This complication is called alveolitis. This situation requires immediate medical attention. If the tumor recurs, then it is useless to try to get rid of it by rinsing, using antiseptics or antibiotics. The doctor must clean the infected hole, removing necrotic tissue. Then he will treat everything with an antiseptic and inject a special medicine into the hole.
What will help relieve swelling?
Firstly, if swelling occurs on soft tissues after surgery, cold compresses can be applied. During the day, you need to apply them to the sore spot for 20 minutes. You can do this three times a day. Cold will not only help reduce swelling, but also reduce the intensity of pain.
Secondly, if you can't bear it, you need to take an anesthetic (a tablet of "Analgin", "Baralgin", "Ibuprofen").
Thirdly, starting from the second day after the intervention, you can use rinsing the mouth with antiseptics. For thissaline, soda solutions are suitable. You can also rinse with decoctions of herbs (oak bark, sage, chamomile). Just rinse properly. You just need to put an antiseptic in your mouth, hold it near the sore spot and spit it out. So repeat several times.
What is prohibited after surgery?
In order to avoid complications, you must follow the recommendations of a specialist.
- After the operation, there is no need to rush to get up from the chair. You need to spend at least 10 minutes in it. Do not leave the specialist's office if you feel unwell.
- Press firmly the gauze pad that is inserted between the jaws after removal. It helps to avoid swelling of the gums.
- It is forbidden to warm the cheek.
- You can not eat in the first three hours. And after this time, you need to choose soft foods and frayed dishes.
- Experts do not recommend eating hot dishes, drinking soda, alcoholic beverages after removing the unit. Also, do not use a straw when drinking.
- Do not touch the socket with your tongue or hands.
- It is forbidden to go to the bathhouse, sauna.
- In order not to injure the diseased area even more, it is necessary to chew food on the other side of the jaw.
Hygiene procedures must be carried out carefully, without contact of the toothbrush with the injured gum.
Recovery period
After surgeryIt will take some time for the body to return to normal. How many days? Swelling after the removal of a wisdom tooth should decrease the very next day. At the very least, make sure it doesn't grow in size. The intensity of pain should also decrease. Of course, these dates are approximate. After all, each patient's body reacts differently. If the operation went without complications, and after it the wound did not become infected, then by the end of the week the patient will completely forget about going to the dentist. Difficult cases, inflammatory processes may require more time to restore he alth. Everything will depend on how timely the person went to the doctor.
