Wisdom teeth removal recovery questions...?

Question

8 days ago I got my 3 (yes I only had 3) wisdom teeth removed. Most of the swelling went down on the side where I only had one removed, and was slowly followed by the swelling on the other side. Just as I was starting to eat soft foods (i.e. pancakes, toast, ect.) that only require minimal chewing, the swelling went back up on one side again like it was a week ago - over night! Is this normal? I've done the moist warm compress, and everything else pretty much as my oral surgeon said, what went wrong?

Answer 1

I was a dental assistant for 10 years. Sometimes there is no logical explanation for what went wrong.

You should not be that swollen at this point in time.

Generally when you have your wisdom teeth removed it is the lower wisdom teeth that will give you problems. From what you have written you may have a dry socket. This happens when you lose the blood clot from where the tooth was. A dry socket can happen from drinking through a straw, smoking and/or spitting to hard.

At this time I suggest warm salt water rinses, gently swish the salt water, then let it fall into the sink. Do not spit hard.

If you do not have a dry socket and it is infected the salt water will reduce the swelling and help with healing.

I strongly suggest you contact your Dentist to make a definite diagnosis for you.

Also using Advil and/or Ibuprofen will help with the swelling.

Good Luck and feel better.

Answer 2

Wisdom Teeth Removal Recovery Questions

Answer 3

Considering it has only been a week, this is normal. Once you started eating solid food again, even though it was soft, you irritated the surgical site. Since it is not completely healed, the swelling was increased by this irritation. Just continue with flushing the area with salt water, and using your wet compress as your oral surgeon directed. Also, stay away from sugar-containing foods until you are completely healed since this can raise the potential for infection at the surgical site. If the problem persists, though, and the swelling does not subside within a few days.....contact your oral surgeon.

Answer 4

Be sure to rinse all the food out of your empty tooth sockets after you eat or you're at risk for infection or dry socket (your doctor surely explained this condition to you). It's very painful; you'll know if you have it. If you don't have a special squirt tool for this that looks like a syringe with a skinny tip, contact your doctor and request one. You should have gotten one.

I'm surprised that they only took out 3 wisdom teeth, especially since this seems to imply your 4th is still coming. Or did you just not _have_ a 4th wisdom tooth?

In any case, keep the cold compress on your jaw. Taking meds was most helpful for me ... I can't quite remember what I was prescribed. Codeine and something. I ate popsicles, soup, and mashed potatoes and gravy. Swelling isn't such a serious indicator as pain. If you have strange or persistent pain, contact your doctor.

Answer 5

When I got mine done (I had all 4), and I tried to eat solid foods, I would chew with my front teeth, and try not to let the food work its way to the back of my mouth. If food gets trapped in the wounds, its possible it could cause an infection. Also make sure you dont drink using a straw, because this can cause dry sockets, which are very painful. It sounds like you may have a small infection though. Call your denist, and he may prescribe you some antibiotics or something.

Answer 6

I don't think it is normal that there is still swelling. The swelling should continue to go down. Rinse with warm salt water-- a 1/4 teaspoon in a cup of warm water. If that doesn't help, call your dentist. Tell him you are concerned that it is swelling again. Your dentist can tell you if it is normal or if you should come in and have it checked for infection.

Answer 7

if the swelling continues then go back to the dentist, you may have an infection. Otherwise, continue what you are doing with the compresses and it may well go away on its' own. It may be mildly irritated by the food...try eating soup for a bit instead of the softer foods.

Answer 8

I actually had my 4 teeth out on Thursday. Everything went smoothly and I was eating soft foods that same day. On Friday I was eating chips and pasta. I have no swelling and only needed one stitch on one tooth. I am taking penicillian 4 times a day for 5 days to prevent infection. Maybe yours got infected. Get it checked out!!!

Answer 9

If your teeth wounds weren't completely healed, some of the food you were eating may have gotten into the tooth sockets and caused irritation. If it gets worse, see your dentist. You may be getting an infection. It is very important to keep your mouth clean after dental surgery until you are healed up---if you think it is safe, try rinsing your mouth with an antiseptic like Listerine.

Answer 10

Did the dentist talk to you about a dry socket? When this happens, you can sometimes wind up with infection, which in turn will cause swelling. I would call the dentist as soon as possible. I hope you feel better soon.