Have you ever had an abscess in your mouth? How did you get it?

Question

A friend of mine just had his wisdom tooth pulled and now he thinks he has an abscess. He went back to drinking and smoking regularly as soon as he was well enough to do it. Would that have anything to do with his healing process and the fact that he may now have an abscess? He's supposed to be calling the doctor today.

Answer 1

Smoking will definitely slow down the healing process after oral surgery. I had problems with 2 surgical extractions and believe it was because of smoking after the surgeries.

He may actually have a dry socket. smoking increases the chance of dry socket occuring.

This condition exist when a blood clot is dislodged from the surgery site thus exposing the bone and fine nerve endings. The blood clot helps in the stopping of bleeding and lays the foundation or framework for new tissue and bone to develop over a two-month healing process. This condition is more common in the mandibular area and in back teeth due to poorer circulation in this area, with wisdom teeth being the most common site. Dry socket delays the healing process.

Normal dry socket care entails the Dentist cleaning the area and placing "Packing" that has to be replaced every few days by the Doctor.

If it is an abcess then the doctor can drain it and maybe put him on antibiotics for a week to 10 days.

Here is a link with more information also