Is there anyway I can make swelling go down?

Question

I just had my wisdom teeth taken out and my mouth is really swollen. Ice doesn't seem to be doing the job. I've been swollen for about 3 days now and I'm getting worried it will never go down.

I have been taking amoxicillin(sp?) and rinsing with salt water as I was directed. Thanks, your help is really appreciated.

Answer 1

I worked for a dentist for 7 years. Swelling after only 3 days in and of itself is not unusual. Was it a normal extraction or were they cut out? If you had a dry socket you would know it, it is extremely painful!!!!! You are on a medicine that is in the family of Penicillin. If you are not running a fever over 100 degrees and your pain level has not increased or if you do not have a foul smell or taste in your mouth, it is probably just from the trauma of the surgery. Your mouth was opened very wide for a long period of time. Your muscle are going to be sore and swollen. If you should start running a fever, smell a foul odor, taste a foul odor, feel heat coming off of your cheeks or see red streaks get to your dentist or to the ER. Otherwise give it a few days and see if you are better, if not call the dentist. Salt water rinses are normal protocol after an extraction. It helps to keep the area from becoming infected. Keep taking all of the meds that the dentist gave you and use the ice, remember when you extract a tooth, even a simple extraction breaks/chips part of the bone that the tooth was growing in.

Answer 2

I'd say if you were still showing signs of swelling after 3 days and ice packs are not helping, you may have dry socket, or some other type of infection caused from tooth removal! Don't wait to long to go back to your dentist because whatever the case (If your infection gets worse the harder it will be to treat!)

Answer 3

you may have an infection in the gums from having your teeth pulled until you get ahold of your dentist take ibuprofin like motrin or advil, every 4 hours and rinse with warm salt water tell your dentist your problem and he may prescribe an antibiotic if he feels its infected if he does take IT ALL till its gone no matter how better you feel

Answer 4

I had one pulled and I ached all over like I had the flu and felt horrible. Back to the dentist and I had a dry socket where the tooth was pulled and he treated with something on cotton, I had to go 4 days in a row and get it changed.

Answer 5

DID your dentist tell you to rinse with warm salt water?Ibuprofin is a good one 4 swelling.ID give your dentist a call back as well.HANG in there, star

Answer 6

if it doesn't start to get better 5+ days post-op, then call the surgeon who did the procedure. Until then, keep up with the ice and ibuprofin, as swelling is very common after surgery.

Answer 7

Try an antiinflammatory, such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin).
If the swelling doesn't start ot subside in 2 more days, you need to go back to the dentist or a doctor.

Answer 8

IVE HAD TEETH EXTRACTED AND IT USUALLY TAKE 2 WEEKS FOR THE SWELLING TO GO DOWN BECAUSE YOU ARE TAKING AN ANTIBIOTIC IT MAY TAKE LONGER DUE TO THE IMMUNE SYSTEM FIGHTING THE INFECTION..............JUST REMEMBER WHILE YOU ARE TAKING ANTIBIOTICS TO HAVE YOGHURT TO LINE YOUR STOMACH..... ANTIBIOTICS EAT THE LINING OF YOUR STOMACH SO EVERYTIME YOU TAKE IT HAVE YOGHURT FIRST.............. DONT WORRY

Answer 9

Keep taking your meds, if the swelling interferes with your breathing call 911 and get to the ER ASAP..............

Answer 10

you might have infection