Often, after removing a wisdom tooth, patients complain that the gums swell and hurt. There are many reasons for this, so it’s better not to delay visiting a doctor, since it is important to assess the seriousness of the problem on time.
Physiology features
Differences of wisdom teeth from others lie not only in their rather late maturation, but also in the anatomy, location and possible development of complications.
Anatomically, their structure is very similar to an ordinary molar (chewing tooth). They have a wide crown with tubercles located on it, also from one to several roots are present, they can be spliced or intertwined with each other, and this makes it very difficult to remove the wisdom tooth. Due to the lack of space in the dentition, the proximity of ligaments and chewing muscles, eighth molars often bend, shift to the side and grow on the cheek. It also happens that they cannot penetrate at all. The complexity of therapy and their removal is quite obvious.
When to remove?
If the patient is lucky, and his last molar is located exactly in the dentition and cut through to the end, then it is recommended to clean it with a brush and even, if necessary, treat it. At this point, doctors advise them to keep. They also clean nerves, treat canals and put on crowns. Of course, this is possible very rarely, but it occurs. When the molar interferes with food intake, there is an unbearable smell from the mouth, since there is no way to clean it well, gum inflammation is provoked or it grows incorrectly, thereby pushing others, then the wisdom tooth is removed on the lower jaw or on the upper.
Removal Features
Naturally, around the tooth there is an inflammatory process, pus, severe soreness, destruction of the crown or its location in the thickness of the bone, all this greatly complicates the removal process. In any case, the doctor will provide good anesthesia of the area, if purulent inflammation is present, then the effect of the anesthetic will be much worse.
To remove the wisdom tooth, there are special forceps, as well as devices for husking hard-to-reach roots (elevators). Most often, after such a procedure, pain in the jaw persists for several days and gradually decreases. In the early days, patients note increased swelling, there is also pain during food sticking, and opening of the mouth is limited. When all is well, then over time the unpleasant consequences go away. If after removing a wisdom tooth, the hole bleeds, body temperature rises, swelling increases, an unbearable odor from the mouth occurs, then in such cases it is necessary to consult a dentist. Most often, complications arise due to:
- the complexity of the procedure;
- further actions of the patient;
- the presence of an inflammatory course at the time of removal;
- injuries;
- the depth of the tooth in the hole.
What to do after removal?
If there is a likelihood of infection of the problem area, the doctor prescribes antibiotics to the patient. To take the medicine is required in the right dosage and a certain number of days. And after removing the lower wisdom tooth or upper, the following doctor's recommendations must be observed.
- The doctor puts a gauze swab in the hole, it needs to be removed after 10 minutes. If he stays there longer, it can cause infection of weeping tissues, as a result of which the formation of a blood clot will be difficult, so it should not be kept for a long time.
- For several hours it is forbidden to drink or eat hot - this provokes the expansion of blood vessels, bleeding in the hole forms and an infection develops.
- On the day of removal of the upper tooth of wisdom or lower, it is forbidden to bathe in a bath, drink alcohol, take a hot bath, and avoid strong physical exertion. All of these actions increase blood pressure, therefore, the risk of bleeding increases.
- When the doctor sutures the gums, then during the first day you do not need to open your mouth wide.
- It is not worth warming your cheek, it is better to apply cold. Heating can increase swelling, cause bleeding, vasodilation and the spread of infection.
- Do not rinse your mouth, you can remove the blood clot from the hole, which is responsible for the formation of bone and gum tissue in place of the former tooth. Most often, the doctor prescribes soda and herbal baths. To do this, the patient fills the mouth with liquid and tilts his head to the side of the wound and just keeps the solution for several seconds, then spits.
- On the day of removal of the upper tooth of wisdom or lower, it is allowed not to brush your teeth at night so as not to injure. You should not eat food with small grains or abuse solid, sharp or irritating wound area food.
- Do not examine the hole with a toothpick, tongue or brush. When there is a feeling that there is something superfluous in it, it is better to consult a doctor. Sometimes it happens that this discomfort leaves a medicine specially located there by a doctor. Most often, there is no need to eliminate it, since it will resolve on its own.
Pain
After removing the lower wisdom tooth or the upper one, the patient may be disturbed by various unpleasant symptoms. Very often the gum becomes inflamed and the cheek swells. There is discomfort when swallowing food and opening your mouth. The above symptoms can be ordinary postoperative manifestations that will pass on their own for several days, or are the result of various complications.
- Simple removal - if there are no complications when pulling out the eighth molar, then most often postoperative troubles will pass quickly enough. Edema and pain are quite normal, as during the procedure nerve endings and soft tissues are damaged, so you need to be uncomfortable for several days.
- Complex removal is an operation in which the doctor needs to cut the gum to tear the wisdom tooth into pieces. Thus, removal of the molar that has not erupted is done with drilling of the bone tissue. With complex manipulations, further pain cannot be avoided, and their intensity will be directly proportional to the invasiveness of the operation, the individual pain threshold and the speed of wound healing.
After such an operation, the patient may experience discomfort for a week, sometimes it drags on for up to 10 days. The main indicator of wound healing is a decrease in the intensity of pain. When only increased discomfort is observed, and it is pulsating and aching in nature, which practically does not disappear after the use of analgesics, you should definitely visit a dentist.
Causes of pain
There are many factors that provoke pain in the jaw after removing a wisdom tooth:
- as a result of damage to blood vessels by a needle;
- due to trauma to adjacent teeth or crowns;
- bleeding sometimes occurs;
- there is the formation of suppuration of bone tissue, which is called osteomyelitis;
- very rarely, but it still happens when the dentist incorrectly calculates the force, and at the moment of exposure to the jaw of an elderly person it breaks down;
- sometimes damage to nerve endings occurs, because of this there is a violation of diction and numbness;
- the occurrence of phlegmon occurs.
Sometimes the causes of pain can be the development of the following troubles:
- Trigeminal neuritis - this disease occurs in patients after removing a wisdom tooth on the lower jaw, since the trigeminal nerve is located there, and in the case when the root is very deep, the specialist can also touch the nerve. Unpleasant sensations in this case are shooting and unexpected. As a rule, not only the gum is affected, but also the temples, neck and eyes. There is no redness or swelling in the gums.
- Wrong tooth extraction. What the patient does in this case, not everyone knows, therefore, it is necessary to consult a doctor again, since the doctor most likely did not completely remove the cyst or root. Thus, it provoked pain and inflammation.
- Alveolitis is a disease that manifests itself due to inflammation of the molar socket. It is formed due to the fact that disruptions in the formation of a blood clot occur, due to which the hole is delayed. Because of this, an infection appears that provokes pain and swelling of the gums. The ailment occurs mainly after complex operations.
Edema duration
Removing a wisdom tooth is a rather complicated process, therefore puffiness appears, sometimes it is accompanied by a hematoma. Such a problem can signal the presence of pathologies such as:
- an allergic process to various drugs;
- that small gum remains may be in the gum;
- significant damage to the gums;
- about the inflammatory process in the gums.
If the gum or cheek swells after the removal of the wisdom tooth, then categorically it is not allowed to apply warm compresses, the condition will only improve cold. It is recommended to perform the procedure daily 3-4 times a day and keep about 20 minutes. Edema can also cause physical stress. After removal, complete rest and rest for at least three days is recommended. Compresses, folk remedies and rinses can ease the problem.
Complications
There are various consequences of removing a wisdom tooth, if left untreated, this provokes the appearance of many problems:
- Often inflammatory processes in the gums are accompanied by a sharp increase in temperature, swelling of the cheek and general weakness. And there is also a not very pleasant smell coming out of the mouth, and a taste of pus.
- The formation of a small bleeding after surgery is a completely normal phenomenon, which should end after 20 minutes. If a person has reduced blood coagulation, then this process will take a little longer. When bleeding lasts several hours and there is a significant tendency to increase it, this indicates damage to a large vessel, such a problem requires a quick visit to the doctor.
- If an infection gets into the hole after tearing, the healing process is accompanied by suppuration. The main signs of inflammation are severe pain that does not pass for a long time, headaches, as well as the presence of an unpleasant odor and purulent discharge. If any signs of pathology appear, an urgent need to see a doctor.
Stages of healing
Many are interested in: after removing the wisdom tooth, how much the hole heals, because no one has the desire to endure unpleasant symptoms. All patients have their own characteristics of tissue repair, and the timing of complete recovery is completely different.
- After surgery, the wound heals on average in a few weeks. There are times when the hole remains very deep, so gum needs to be sutured. But it should be noted that the seams do not extend the healing period, but rather reduce it.
- Hole growth is not the last recovery phase. Full recovery most often takes about six months, but the patient will practically not feel this, since the pain will pass, and he will be able to lead a normal lifestyle.
- After a few weeks, the next stage begins. During this period, bone tissue will form. After a month and a half, the wound will become completely filled with it.
- The third stage is responsible for the formation of bone tissue, which is located on the site of the roots of the tooth.
- The last phase involves the fusion of the bones of the socket and jaw. If there are no complications, then this period ends six months later. When there are problems, another three months may be added.
Pain Relief Medications
Unpleasant sensations that arose after tooth extraction should simply be endured. If this is not possible, then you can use the following painkillers:
- “Ketanov” or its analogue “Ketorol” is a very powerful tool that only a doctor prescribes. It is a toxic drug, but removes discomfort almost immediately, it lasts up to 6 hours.
- "Analgin" - you need to consider that this drug can cope with minor pain.
- "Nimesulide" - it can be purchased only by prescription, has a pronounced effect that occurs within the first 15 minutes.
- "Spazmalgon" - can overcome mild pain, also has anti-inflammatory effect.
- "Baralgin" removes mild seizures, it contains analgin.
All of the above drugs are recommended to be used only as prescribed by the doctor, so that they do not provoke even more complications.
Rinse
In order to protect the wound from infection, after removing the wisdom tooth in the upper jaw or lower, you can use various rinses. To do this, apply:
- "Stomatodyne";
- "Chlorhexidine";
- "Rivanol";
- Miramistin;
- "Furacilin."
It is required to remember that rinsing is not allowed earlier than in a day, as this is fraught with the loss of a blood clot. And you also need to consider that rinses do not have to be very active, it is better to perform antiseptic baths more often. To do this, the solution is collected in the mouth, and the head leans toward the healing wound, then spits.
All solutions to eliminate the effects of removing a wisdom tooth should be cool. This is because bacteria are very active in a warm environment, and this is fraught with an increase in the inflammatory process. Alcohol solutions are not suitable for such purposes, since gum burns can be provoked . Therefore, it is better to ask the doctor what to choose.
Folk therapy
If the gum hurts after removing the wisdom tooth, then you can use folk recipes.
- It is required to carry out soda baths, and after the first day it is possible to rinse with the same solution.
- It is recommended to apply a cold compress during the day after tearing. For these purposes, a bottle of cold water or ice is suitable. The compress must be placed on the cheek from the sore side.
- If pain is present on the upper jaw or lower jaw after removing the wisdom tooth, decoctions of St. John's wort, oak bark, chamomile or sage can be used. The use of such baths will help the wound heal faster and remove pain.
- A day later, the gum is allowed to rinse with a decoction of onion peels. The procedure must be repeated several times a day.
- You can prepare a decoction of pine cones, for which you need to take 2 cones and fill them with 500 ml of boiling water. Next, send to a fire and steam for about 10 minutes, then strain and rinse.
- Rinsing with chicory helps very well. One teaspoon of the powder must be steamed with 200 ml of boiling water and boil for 5 minutes. Then use for baths or rinses.
- Another great remedy is chamomile infusion. It has a healing effect, and also slightly anesthetizes, therefore it is often used for therapy.
Further care
When the gum hurts after removing the wisdom tooth, this is a very unpleasant symptom, therefore, in order to try to prevent it, it is necessary:
- Do not drink or eat the next three hours after surgery;
- Do not eat too hard and hot food for the first couple of days;
- Do not overwork emotionally and physically;
- forget about alcohol and smoking throughout the week;
- Do not go to the gym, sauna or hot tub for at least a week;
- if the air is cold, it is preferable to breathe through the mouth;
- Do not disturb the wound;
- if there is no need, try not to rinse your mouth;
- it is better not to chew on the damaged side and brush your teeth quite accurately.
If you adhere to the above actions, then literally in two weeks the patient will be able to lead a familiar lifestyle, and pain will not cause him discomfort.
Reviews
Removing a wisdom tooth is a surgical procedure that very often causes various problems, thereby making life difficult for people. According to patients, this is not a very pleasant manipulation, which for several days causes considerable discomfort. But many of them claim that after removing an irregularly growing tooth, they feel much better.
According to doctors, in order to reduce possible complications, it is necessary to strictly follow all the recommendations left by them, since very often it is patients who provoke health problems with their actions. If the ailment lies in a more serious circumstance, then they do not advise pulling and hoping that everything will go away on its own. The sooner you seek help, the faster the patient will recover. After all, according to reviews, removing a wisdom tooth is not a very pleasant procedure.