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Consequences of wisdom tooth extraction

 
, medical expert
Last reviewed: 04.07.2025
 
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The consequences of wisdom tooth extraction associated with problematic wound healing should not go unnoticed. At the slightest discomfort, the patient should contact the attending physician, who will conduct an examination and prescribe medications that will speed up the healing process.

Wisdom tooth extraction may have consequences that appear almost immediately after the operation. One of the most common consequences after tooth extraction is the so-called "dry socket". If the healing process is normal, a blood clot (fibrin) appears in the socket at the site of the removed wisdom tooth, which has a protective effect and accelerates wound healing. However, there are cases when such a clot does not appear at all, or quickly falls off. The symptoms of "dry socket" are: aching pain and an unpleasant odor from the mouth. Such problems usually appear on the 2-3 day after wisdom tooth extraction.

Among the most common consequences of wisdom tooth removal, one can also note damage to the nerves (paresthesia) located near the removed tooth. If this happens, the patient will feel a slight numbness of the tongue, lips and chin, as well as difficulty opening the mouth. Usually, such symptoms are observed for several days, but sometimes they can last longer until they gradually disappear. In order to avoid discomfort after wisdom tooth removal, it is necessary to entrust this procedure to a highly qualified specialist who will perform the operation carefully and competently.

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Gums after wisdom tooth removal

Wisdom tooth removal is a procedure that requires a qualified approach from an experienced specialist. Often after the operation to remove the "eighth", the patient observes changes that may cause him anxiety. However, there is no need to worry, since the wound healing process is often accompanied by unpleasant symptoms: pain, swelling, change in gum color.

The gum after wisdom tooth extraction may change color the day after the operation. Most often, it acquires a whitish or yellowish tint (plaque). This is due to the exudation of fibrin, the end product of blood clotting.

Sometimes the gums can become inflamed and bleed. Usually, redness and swelling of the gums are normal. However, if these symptoms are observed for several days and are accompanied by purulent discharge, fever, bad breath, the patient should see a doctor as soon as possible. Inflammation of the gums can be caused by poor oral hygiene, decreased immunity, penetration of pathogenic microorganisms into the wound. Rehabilitation measures should be carried out only in a specialized dental clinic.

Hole after wisdom tooth extraction

Wisdom tooth extraction is a procedure that is accompanied not only by pain, but also by the peculiarities of the postoperative period. Thus, after the operation, a blood clot forms in the socket of the extracted tooth, which plays a very important role in wound healing. It forms a protective barrier, preventing bacteria from penetrating the bone and nerve endings. It is very important not to wash away this clot when rinsing the mouth, as well as when brushing your teeth.

It is necessary to ensure that the socket after the wisdom tooth extraction is covered with a blood clot, otherwise the risk of wound infection increases. If a "dry socket" has formed, you need to see a doctor. He will apply a tampon soaked in a special antiseptic to the wound, which will ensure effective healing of the postoperative wound. The tampon with the medicine should be changed daily until the wound heals.

If the "dry socket" is not treated, the risk of developing alveolitis increases - an inflammatory process that manifests itself in symptoms such as severe pain, a gray coating on the socket, and an unpleasant odor from the oral cavity. Alveolitis manifests itself in the form of severe jaw pain, painful enlargement of the lymph nodes, migraines and other serious symptoms and, above all, is dangerous due to complications in the form of purulent infection of the jaw apparatus.

Stomatitis after wisdom tooth extraction

Wisdom tooth extraction very often has subsequent complications and for a number of reasons can become the basis for the development of painful processes. One of the very common complications is the development of stomatitis as a result of mucosal injury during surgery. This disease manifests itself in the form of a whitish coating of the mucosa, as well as the formation of erosions, ulcers and other damage. In essence, stomatitis is a painful inflammation of the oral cavity (tongue, gums, cheek tissue, palatine arch, mucous membrane and lips).

Stomatitis after wisdom tooth extraction most often occurs as a result of the development of an infectious process, failure to comply with oral hygiene rules, or dental diseases (caries, gumboil).

Treatment of stomatitis must necessarily include local treatment of the oral cavity, as well as taking antimicrobial drugs. Even the mildest form of stomatitis after wisdom tooth extraction should not be ignored. The patient is advised to seek qualified help from a dentist at the first symptoms of this disease.

Complications after wisdom tooth removal

Removal of a wisdom tooth can have complications, which most often manifest themselves in the form of pain, swelling of soft tissues, and the development of an inflammatory process due to trauma to the mucous membrane or bone tissue.

The most common complications after wisdom tooth removal:

  • Alveolitis. An inflammatory process that is localized in the socket of a removed wisdom tooth. Symptoms: swelling and redness of the gum, severe pain, swelling of the cheek, headache, chills, fever, general malaise. In advanced cases, the infection can provoke the development of an osteomyelitic process, which is expressed by high fever, poor health, severe headaches.
  • Hematoma. Occurs as a result of damage to a vessel, as well as increased capillary fragility, and the patient having hypertension. Symptoms: enlarged gums, swelling, increased temperature, pain.
  • Bleeding. The causes of this complication are damage to the vessel during the removal of the wisdom tooth, as well as fragility of the capillaries, hypertension in the patient.
  • Cyst. It is a fibrous formation filled with fluid.
  • Flux. Occurs when, after a tooth extraction, the gums become infected and the infection reaches the periosteum, causing inflammation. Symptoms: redness and swelling of the gums, severe pain, fever, swelling of the cheek.

Other complications include stomatitis, nerve damage (paresthesia), osteomyelitis, jaw trauma, and perforation (rupture) of the floor of the maxillary sinus.

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Pain after wisdom tooth removal

Removing a wisdom tooth is, in fact, a real surgical operation, which is not without blood and pain. The feeling of discomfort and pain is a normal reaction of the body to the trauma received from the operation. Painful sensations also occur after the anesthesia wears off. Usually, such pain bothers the patient for several hours, but sometimes longer - several days. In any case, if necessary, the doctor prescribes a painkiller for patients who have undergone a complex wisdom tooth removal, which is optimal for each specific case.

The pain after wisdom tooth extraction will gradually subside, which in turn will signal the healing process of the wound. If the pain is observed for a long period of time (more than 5 days) or increases, the patient should consult a specialist. Intense, paroxysmal pain, accompanied by swelling and elevated temperature, may indicate an infectious inflammation.

Sometimes after the operation to remove the "eight" in the socket there is no blood clot, which is necessary for normal healing of the wound. This is fraught with such a consequence as exposure of bone tissue, which is always accompanied by debilitating pain. In such cases, urgent intervention is sometimes necessary, especially when the patient is worried about other symptoms, for example, a sharp increase in temperature.

A timely visit to a dentist in case of severe pain will save the patient from possible complications, especially if the wisdom tooth removal surgery was complicated and the tooth was removed in parts. The remaining tooth in the gum or bone tissue in case of poor-quality surgery can also cause inflammation and pain. In this case, the cause is determined using an X-ray.

Swelling after wisdom tooth removal

Removing a wisdom tooth can have very painful consequences, which are explained by the trauma of the mucous membrane and gums during the operation. Often after the tooth extraction procedure, the patient experiences swelling and puffiness of the cheek. These symptoms can be accompanied by difficulty swallowing and enlarged lymph nodes and most often occur as a result of the structure of the subcutaneous fat, which quickly swells when injured. Usually, everything goes away in a couple of days.

Swelling after wisdom tooth extraction may also signal more serious consequences. If the patient's condition worsens every day, and he finds it difficult to breathe, his temperature rises, spots and rashes appear on the body, such swelling is allergic in nature and may have dangerous consequences in the form of anaphylactic shock. In this case, the patient must immediately call an ambulance.

The swelling can be caused by a sudden development of the inflammatory process in the socket, which is accompanied by severe pain, reddening of the cheek and gums, difficulty breathing, convulsive swallowing, and an increase in temperature. In such a situation, the patient should urgently seek medical help.

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Swelling after wisdom tooth removal

Removing a wisdom tooth is fraught with unpleasant consequences in the form of swelling and tumours. Pain, discomfort, difficulty swallowing, chewing and opening the mouth, slightly elevated temperature – all these unpleasant sensations will bother the patient for some time.

Swelling after wisdom tooth extraction is a normal phenomenon and, in fact, should not cause concern unless it increases in size and is not accompanied by any other unpleasant symptoms: bleeding from the socket, a sharp increase in temperature, increasing pain, general malaise.

Usually, swelling of the cheek is observed in those patients who have problems with high blood pressure (hypertension). In this case, before the operation, they are recommended to take sedatives. Cold compresses, as well as ointments and gels specially designed for such purposes, help to relieve swelling of the cheek and reduce the risk of developing an inflammatory process.

As a rule, swelling after wisdom tooth extraction is always accompanied by pain in the socket. This is a common occurrence after such an operation. The patient is advised not to overload himself with work and let the body recover. If the pain is intense, the doctor will prescribe an analgesic.

Smell after wisdom tooth removal

Such a dental procedure as wisdom tooth extraction requires a qualified approach from a specialist doctor to avoid subsequent complications. In addition to the pain syndrome caused by the presence of a wound in the socket, the patient may experience other consequences after the operation.

The smell after the removal of a wisdom tooth is a signal of the development of an inflammatory process in the oral cavity, provoked by infection of the tissues of the damaged gum. Most often, such an unpleasant smell occurs in the first days after the removal of the third molar. In this case, the patient must immediately seek medical help from a doctor. If you do not start treatment in time, the hole may turn red, become covered with a gray coating, and the pain will intensify.

The main causes of postoperative wound infection include:

  • failure of the patient to comply with the recommendations and instructions of the dentist;
  • the formation of a so-called “dry socket” - a cavity without a “protective” blood clot, susceptible to infection;
  • periodontitis;
  • inflammation of dental tissue;
  • the presence of a tooth fragment in the gum tissue.

If an unpleasant odor from the oral cavity is observed for a long time, and the patient has not sought help from a specialist, this is fraught with more serious complications - the development of alveolitis, abscess and inflammation of the periosteum.

Inflammation after wisdom tooth extraction

Wisdom tooth extraction does not always go smoothly. Sometimes the patient is concerned about postoperative consequences, which are largely associated with non-compliance with the doctor's hygiene recommendations, reduced immunity and the peculiarities of wound healing.

Inflammation after wisdom tooth extraction is called "alveolitis". Usually, the cause of this inflammatory process is the absence or loss of a blood clot from the socket, which forms in the wound after surgery and performs protective functions. Thus, the socket remains completely open, and pathogenic bacteria and microorganisms can freely penetrate into it, causing inflammation.

The main symptoms of alveolitis are increased swelling and redness of the socket, intense pain, elevated temperature, and bad breath. The inflammatory process can be complicated by suppuration, which can be caused by a tooth fragment remaining in the socket. The situation is aggravated if the patient has gum disease or caries.

If inflammation after wisdom tooth extraction is not treated in time, adjacent teeth and gum tissue will suffer, and the periosteum and bone may also become infected.

Flux after wisdom tooth extraction

Removing a wisdom tooth can cause the so-called "odontogenic periostitis" or, more simply, gumboil. This disease is localized in the periosteum - the tissue surrounding the bone. Its symptoms are: swelling of the mucous membrane, swelling of the cheek, and constant pain that intensifies when chewing. Sometimes the affected area pulsates.

Flux after wisdom tooth extraction most often occurs due to an inflammatory process occurring in the gum, as well as infection of the socket, into which food debris gets, and then there is an accumulation of particles of putrefactive decay. Due to suppuration, swelling of the cheek occurs, the temperature rises. In this case, the patient must immediately consult a doctor who will conduct a thorough examination of the wound and take all necessary measures to eliminate the source of infection. After thorough cleaning of the wound with antiseptics, the patient will need conservative treatment: taking anti-inflammatory and antibacterial agents, a course of injections and painkillers. In some cases, an immunostimulant and a vitamin complex are prescribed.

What is dangerous about gumboil? First of all, complications in the form of a purulent abscess or phlegmon. Therefore, in order to avoid serious consequences in the presence of gumboil, the patient should immediately go to the hospital.

Numbness after wisdom tooth removal

Removing a wisdom tooth is essentially a surgical procedure that can have all sorts of complications.

Numbness after wisdom tooth extraction (medical term – “paresthesia”) is one such complication, manifested as a feeling of numbness on the face, in the area of the extracted tooth. Such numbness resembles local anesthesia.

Numbness of the tongue, skin of the lips, cheeks and neck immediately after the removal of the "eight" is observed in many patients. Numbness is felt more intensely after the extraction of lower wisdom teeth. The cause of this condition is damage to the branches of the trigeminal nerve near the wisdom tooth. Usually, this symptom is temporary and goes away on its own. Sensitivity in patients is restored differently: for some - after a few days or weeks, and for others it may take even several months.

Numbness after wisdom tooth extraction is sometimes considered a consequence of anesthesia. This is a completely normal reaction of the body to the anesthetic, and it should be taken calmly, without unnecessary anxiety. Usually, this feeling lasts for several hours after the operation, until the effect of the anesthesia has completely worn off.

If the numbness does not go away over a fairly long period of time, and is persistent, the patient is advised to seek qualified advice and medical assistance from a neurologist or neurodentist.

Pus after wisdom tooth extraction

Wisdom tooth extraction most often has complications in the form of the development of an inflammatory process in the socket of the extracted tooth. If an infection gets into the wound, inflammation of the gum tissue and its suppuration occur. In such a situation, the patient needs to see a doctor as soon as possible, since the presence of pus is an alarming symptom that indicates that the healing process is, to put it mildly, not very successful.

Pus after wisdom tooth extraction can be a harbinger of serious diseases - osteomyelitis (suppuration of bone tissue) or phlegmon (extensive purulent lesion of muscle tissue), if the inflammatory process is not stopped in time and the infected wound is not cleaned. It is impossible to do this at home, since there is a risk of re-infection. All procedures for wound cleansing should be carried out in a medical facility where all hygienic rules and regulations are observed.

Often, the main reason for the wound to become infected after the removal of a wisdom tooth is the patient’s failure to follow the dentist’s hygiene recommendations. You cannot try to cure the infection on your own, as this can lead to even more dangerous complications, including blood poisoning. In any case, there is only one way out of the situation – urgently contact a medical specialist.

Bleeding after wisdom tooth removal

Wisdom tooth extraction is a minor surgical operation, so the presence of blood is a natural factor that accompanies both the process of tooth extraction and the postoperative period. Usually, blood clotting in the socket of the extracted tooth occurs within 1-2 minutes, and minor bleeding may be observed for 1-3 days after surgery. In fact, the bleeding should stop on its own, but there are cases when bleeding from the wound does not stop. The cause of such a complication may be damage to a large blood vessel. In this case, the dental surgeon sutures the wound or applies a special hemostatic sponge to help stop the bleeding.

Bleeding after wisdom tooth extraction may also develop in a hypertensive patient. In such a situation, it is advisable for the patient to measure blood pressure, and if it increases, it is necessary to take the appropriate medication. In any case, the doctor should not let the patient go home until he is completely sure that the bleeding has stopped. If bleeding develops later, the patient should seek medical help.

Hematoma after wisdom tooth extraction

Removal of a wisdom tooth may have consequences in the form of a hematoma. In general, this is a normal phenomenon, which is associated with trauma to a vessel in soft tissues when an anesthetic is administered or during surgery.

A hematoma after wisdom tooth extraction is usually accompanied by some cyanosis, which goes away after a few days. However, there are cases when the occurrence of a hematoma is accompanied by pain, increasing swelling of the gums (cheeks), and an increase in temperature. In such a situation, the patient needs qualified medical care. Usually, the doctor makes a small incision in the gum, washes the wound with an antiseptic, installs drainage if necessary, and also prescribes antiseptic rinses and a course of antibiotics to the patient.

The risk group includes people suffering from diabetes and high blood pressure. They have capillary fragility, which leads to the formation of hematomas even with the slightest damage to the vessels.

A complication of a hematoma is its suppuration. In this case, the patient has facial asymmetry and painful swelling of half of the face. This condition is fraught with the development of dangerous diseases - phlegmon and abscess, therefore it requires timely medical intervention.

Cyst after wisdom tooth removal

Removal of a wisdom tooth can provoke the development of a cyst – a small cavity located at the root of the tooth and filled with liquid. Cystic formation is associated with the protective function of the body to isolate infected cells from healthy tissue. The cyst acts as such an “insulator”, which, if left untreated, gradually increases in size and spreads to other tissues, provoking the development of another complication – gumboil.

A cyst after wisdom tooth extraction can form even if ideal conditions for the operation were observed, so no one is immune from such an outcome. In order to prevent the development of infection, the patient may be prescribed a course of antibiotics.

The cyst is removed by cutting the gum and removing the accumulated pus. The doctor can install drainage for continuous cleaning of the wound. A very effective and absolutely painless method of cyst removal in our time is the laser method. The laser is capable of not only performing a bloodless operation to eliminate the cystic formation, but also disinfecting the affected area in order to prevent further proliferation of purulent bacteria. In addition, after laser removal of the cyst, the wound heals quickly.

Temperature after wisdom tooth removal

Removing a wisdom tooth is not a pleasant process, as it is accompanied by pain, bleeding, fever and other unpleasant sensations. Often after the operation, the patient experiences a fever of up to 37.5 °C. This is a normal reaction of the body to surgical intervention.

The temperature after wisdom tooth extraction usually drops the day after the operation. Sometimes, within 2-3 days after tooth extraction, the temperature may change: in the morning it is usually lower, and in the evening it rises. This is a normal phenomenon, which signals the healing of the wound. However, if the opposite effect is observed - a gradual increase in temperature, then perhaps an inflammatory process has developed in the oral cavity as a result of infection of the wound. In this case, it is necessary to promptly contact a dentist for medical assistance. To alleviate the condition, you can take "Paracetamol".

If the temperature continues to rise and is accompanied by symptoms such as redness and increased swelling of the gums, headache, absence of a "protective" blood clot in the socket of the extracted tooth, pain in the wound of an increasing nature, it is quite possible that an inflammatory process is occurring in the socket or gum tissues, which must be treated. In most cases, the patient may develop a hematoma or alveolitis. However, only a qualified doctor can make a final diagnosis.

Suppuration after wisdom tooth extraction

Removal of a wisdom tooth may lead to the development of an infectious process due to weakened immunity or improper wound care in the postoperative period. One of the main signs of infection in a postoperative wound is suppuration.

Among the main symptoms of wound suppuration following the removal of the third molar, the following can be noted:

  • swelling of the gum tissue that does not stop for several days;
  • intense purulent discharge from the cavity of the extracted tooth;
  • severe pain syndrome;
  • unpleasant ("putrid") odor from the mouth.

Suppuration after wisdom tooth extraction often occurs due to the absence of a special blood clot (fibrin) in the socket of the extracted tooth, which reliably protects the wound from the harmful effects of pathogenic microbes. For this reason, the wound becomes inflamed, and pus appears in it. Naturally, such a problem should not be ignored, since suppuration can provoke the development of serious complications, such as, for example, osteomyelitis. This is suppuration of bone tissue, which is characterized by a sharp increase in temperature, intense paroxysmal pain and general malaise of the patient. Osteomyelitis is dangerous because it can provoke blood poisoning. Therefore, it is so important to consult a doctor in time if the slightest inflammatory process associated with the removal of a wisdom tooth occurs.

The consequences of wisdom tooth extraction depend entirely on the individual characteristics of the human body. In any case, if symptoms signaling the development of complications (pain syndrome, swelling of the cheek, fever, swelling of the gums, etc.) are observed, the patient should consult a doctor as soon as possible. Such symptoms may be signs of the development of an inflammatory (purulent) process. To prevent the development of complications, the patient must strictly adhere to the rules of oral hygiene, and also be careful when brushing teeth to avoid injury to damaged gum tissue.

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