What should I do if my cheek hurts and swells after tooth extraction? When will the swelling go down and how to remove it? Why does swelling of the cheek occur after tooth extraction and what to do about it? How long does it take for swelling to go away after a toothache?

If you have swelling after tooth extraction, and it is accompanied by pain and hyperthermic syndromes, you can say:

about the developing inflammatory process;
about the normal postoperative reaction of the body.

Causes:

Destruction: bones, an incision in the mucous membrane, all this entails a completely harmless traumatic edema. Especially if a complex removal was performed: impacted and dystopic teeth. It is not life-threatening, just painful.
Inflammation- begins after a doctor’s violation elementary rules: aseptics, antiseptics. If the patient does not properly follow the recommendations given by the doctor for the postoperative period.
Incomplete tooth extraction- if there is a piece left in the hole, swelling the next day will be guaranteed.
Swelling may indicate allergic reaction body to the injected anesthetic.
Many patients experience swelling after. Swelling and pain are considered somewhat normal, because such an operation in the prior cannot be easy.
Incision on the gum- in case of an abscess, an incision is made on the mucous membrane to release the pus, the result is mild swelling.
People with health problems, even the simplest dental operations are difficult to endure.
Maybe due to the presence of a cyst.
Obese people, have a predisposition to edema because the thicker the subcutaneous fat layer, the more intense the blood supply.
Alveolitis- suppuration of a blood clot.
Inflammation of the walls of the socket.

Duration

The human oral cavity is penetrated by a large number of nerve endings and blood vessels. Therefore, the wound will hurt more, but it will also heal faster.

The duration of swelling can last from 2 hours to 2 days, but no more. Much will depend on individual characteristics operated.

How to relieve swelling?

When edema appears, first of all it is necessary to establish its root cause and begin treatment. If this is physiological swelling, then home methods will help relieve it. In more serious cases, contact the dentist who removed your tooth.

If there is no reason to see a doctor, then you can speed up the recovery of the body and at home:

When you arrive home, do not forget to immediately apply cold to the injured area. This will not only help relieve pain, but also reduce the risk of inflammation. Do this 3-4 times a day, for 4-7 minutes.
If you don’t have the strength to endure it, then with the help of analgesics you can relieve pain: Ketanov, Tempalgin, Nise, Nurofen, etc.
You need to sleep on healthy side, the head should be raised as high as possible.
Avoid stress and emotional overload for at least the first two days so that the blood vessels function normally. There is no need to provoke repeated bleeding.
A soda-salt compress helps a lot: 1 tsp. soda and 1 tsp. pour 0.5 tbsp of salt. boiled warm water, dissolve well. Moisten a sterile cotton swab in this solution and place it on the well for 15–20 minutes. You can repeat it 4-5 times during the day; it helps a lot even after complex removals.
You can buy decongestants at the pharmacy: gels, ointments.
Good help medicines taken orally: tablets - Suprastin; drops - Lymphomyosot; homeopathic tablets- Traumeel.

In the hospital, the help will be different:

Will analyze general state patient.
They will examine the wound to determine the cause of the swelling and choose the correct treatment tactics.
If the hole is dry: they will thoroughly examine the lesion, remove necrotic tissue, pus, wash it with an antiseptic (Furacilin, Dioxidin, etc.) and then treat it with an antibiotic. 4). The doctor may, at his discretion, use proteolytic enzymes - Terrylitin, Papain, Trypsin, Chymotrypsin, etc. They have a good anti-edematous and anti-inflammatory effect.
If the cause of the swelling is a piece of tooth, it will be removed and the wound will be treated.
At purulent abscess, the wound is drained using drainage tubes, then the following will be prescribed: non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs; .

After removing a diseased tooth, the doctor places a gauze swab into the hole, do not forget that this is an excellent breeding ground for infection and therefore it is removed immediately after the bleeding stops. Do this very carefully so as not to damage the formed blood clot. This can lead to suppuration.
It is strictly not recommended to rinse your mouth in the first 1–2 days, to avoid flushing out the blood clot.
Cannot be taken on the day of surgery hot bath , shower only.
In the first 3–4 hours after surgery, you should not eat, but warm drinks are not prohibited.
You can't smoke right away, especially if there is swelling.
When removing a heavy wisdom tooth, you should not engage in heavy physical labor., you can provoke bleeding.
People suffering from hypertension are predisposed to edema. Therefore, before the procedure and even after, they must take sedative medicine. Their blood pressure may increase due to stress.
It is strictly unacceptable to try to touch the hole with the tip of your tongue., pick with your hands or other objects.
When opening an abscess, immediately prescribe They do it this way: take an antiseptic solution into your mouth and hold it for 5–10 minutes. in the mouth and spit it out. You can't do too much active movements to avoid damaging the blood clot.
If the doctor prescribed a course of antibiotics: Metronidazole, Ofloxacin, Tsiprolet, etc. Or take anti-inflammatory drugs, without interrupting treatment under any circumstances.
It would be a good idea to take immunostimulants, they will help avoid complications.
The main thing is not to panic, and take only deliberate actions!

In most cases, slight swelling is considered a physiological phenomenon and goes away over time without treatment. If swelling brings discomfort, fever, and the intensity only increases over time, consult a doctor. He will determine the cause and choose the optimal treatment method.

Swelling of the cheek after tooth extraction is a sign of the development of a dangerous inflammatory process. Before contacting your doctor again, you need to observe the body’s further reaction. If there is no deterioration and the swelling subsides, there is no need to see a dentist about this. Otherwise, action should be taken. What to do if swelling occurs after tooth extraction?

The tooth extraction procedure is very traumatic. And pain in quality residual phenomenon- the norm. Swelling of the cheek should not be alarming if:

The swelling is not severe and does not increase. It may appear if a wisdom tooth has been removed or complex tooth with signs of gum inflammation. The symptoms will disappear on their own in a couple of days.
No high temperature.
There is no pronounced pain syndrome.
The pain decreases. If, on the contrary, it increases, the inflammatory process begins and complications develop.
The hole closed with a dense blood clot. It protects bone tissue from pathogenic microorganisms.

At surgical intervention There are possible situations in which swelling is not a pathology:

A complex dental operation was performed; extensive excision of the gums and periosteal tissue had to be done. The mucous membrane and bone are severely injured, their integrity is compromised. Swelling may remain for several days after surgery.
Removing a wisdom tooth is an even more difficult procedure. Pain remains in the larynx for a long time.
Removal against the background of acute chronic inflammation. The purulent masses usually fall into the socket and cause local infection. The doctor must administer an antiseptic and antibacterial treatment.
A resection is performed to remove the pus. Swelling is also possible after it.
Cheek swelling occurs in patients with hypertension, diabetes mellitus, reduced immunity. Tissues need more time to regenerate.

Causes of inflammation

Increasing pain in the socket, bleeding, swelling of the cheek, fever and signs of general intoxication occur for the following reasons:

Suppuration of soft tissues is possible due to infection, non-compliance with doctor’s recommendations, or remaining tooth fragments.
There is no blood clot in the socket. The clot protects injured tissues from various bacteria.
Nerve endings are damaged, the mobility of the tongue and jaw is impaired, and severe pain occurs.
Alveolitis is characterized chronic inflammation in the oral cavity. Symptoms: pain, severe hyperemia, swelling, unpleasant odor.

Another cause for concern is that after surgery, in addition to swelling, a hematoma forms. She is accompanied pain syndrome when touched, redness of the tissue, tactile hyperemia. These manifestations indicate suppuration in the periosteum, which requires immediate medical intervention.

Alveolitis as a sign of edema

This disease is the main post-resection complication. It provokes swelling of the soft tissues of the face. Alveolitis develops gradually, with infection of the injured tissues of the socket and necrosis of the blood clot.

Causes of alveolitis:

Carious bacteria and plaque particles penetrated the hole and caused infection.
After removal, a fragment of the chewing organ remained.
Bleeding of the socket tissue prevents the formation of a clot.
The blood clot festers.
Oral hygiene is not maintained.
Immunity is weakened.
The removal procedure occurs during exacerbation of periodontitis.

Alveolitis can be easily identified using symptoms and visual inspection of the socket. Symptoms:

The hole is empty, without a blood clot, a yellowish coating, there are food remains in it, a rotting blood clot. The gums are bright red, swollen, painful on palpation. Sometimes exposed bone tissue is visible.
Sharp or mild pain in the socket. Headache. Strong analgesics relieve them, but they do not treat inflammation.
A rotting blood clot is accompanied by unpleasant smell rotting. Pus provokes intoxication of the body, bad feeling, fatigue, increased body temperature.
More often, alveolitis is not accompanied by swelling of the soft tissues of the face: pus flows through the empty socket. But with acute manifestations of suppuration of a blood clot, the gums and soft fabrics faces swell, hurt, temperature rises.

Treatment of alveolitis

Self-prescribed treatment with rinses and antibacterial drugs usually will not bring the desired result. If the first symptoms of infection of the socket appear, you need to run to the dentist. He will disinfect the instruments, treat the wound with an antiseptic and place an antiseptic turunda inside. If necessary, he will prescribe antibiotics that will destroy the infection. This could be Cefazolin or Oxamp.

Cefazolin

This is a first generation antibiotic. Disturbs the synthesis of the cell wall of microorganisms. Active against gram-positive and gram-negative microorganisms. Indicated for infections different organs, including skin and soft tissues, bones, joints, postoperative infections.

Contraindicated in case of hypersensitivity, as well as if the child is not yet a month old. Prescribe with caution in the presence of renal failure and intestinal diseases, in children under one year of age. When taken by nursing women, lactation should be stopped. The drug is administered intramuscularly. The dosage is prescribed by the doctor.

Oxamp

This is a combined bacterial drug that combines the spectrum of action of ampicillin and oxacillin. Ampicillin is a semi-synthetic penicillin, acid-resistant. Oxacillin is also acid-resistant.

Oxamp is available in capsule form and is also administered intramuscularly or intravenously. Contraindicated in case of hypersensitivity, infectious mononucleosis, lymphocytic leukemia. Prescribe with caution to children if their mothers have increased sensitivity to penicillins. While taking the course, it is necessary to monitor the functioning of the hematopoietic organs, liver, and kidneys. If a superinfection develops (which is possible due to the insensitivity of the microflora to the antibiotic), the antibacterial treatment is changed. In patients with renal failure Possible toxic effects on the central nervous system.

Solcoseryl

Once sharp inflammatory symptoms subside, the doctor stops prescribing turunda. They hinder fast healing wounds. The hole is filled with Solcoseryl. This is a dental adhesive paste that accelerates the healing of ulcers, erosions, injuries, with an analgesic effect.

The paste is well fixed inside and does not fall out. It slowly dissolves and gives way to growing gum tissue. You may just have to report it periodically.

In the absence of necrotic disintegration of the clot and inflammation, you can apply the paste yourself. The well must first be rinsed using a syringe. Take a solution of Chlorhexidine 0.5% or Miramistin and wash the wound under pressure. Then you should dry it and add the paste inside.

Solcoseryl stimulates the formation of blood vessels in tissue and collagen synthesis. Protects the mucous membrane from mechanical and chemical damage. The drug is safe and is indicated even for infants. It is not applied to an infected surface: it does not contain antimicrobial components. Before applying the paste, the mucous membrane should always be antiseptic treatment. If the wound does not heal within 10 days, you should consult a doctor. Severe complications are possible.

Treatment of swelling

Physiological edema does not require special therapy. The size of the swelling is reduced by applying ice or cold metal to the area. After a few hours apply dry heat(hot water bottle, heated cereal). Cold and hot objects are applied through the fabric layer, otherwise frostbite or burns cannot be avoided.

If the cheek hurts due to inflammation or complications, the wound is carefully examined and washed with antiseptic solutions. If there is any remaining tooth inside, it is removed. If an abscess forms, the wound is drained with rubber strips or a silicone drainage tube is installed into the cavity. It drains the discharge from the socket.

After cleaning the postoperative wound, the doctor will prescribe medication. First, he prescribes antibiotics. wide range action (Metronidazole or Ofloxacin). Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are used that can relieve pain (Analgin, Ketorol, Ibuprofen, Baralgin). In case of severe complications, vitamins and immunostimulants are prescribed to strengthen the body. Pain after removal persists for up to one to two weeks. If the syndrome persists longer, the socket is sanitized again.

If immediately after tooth extraction the cheek begins to swell, shortness of breath, wheezing appears, the patient panics and requires urgent hospitalization. Possible allergic swelling respiratory tract, which requires the help of resuscitators. Hormones (Prednisolone, Dexamethasone), calcium chloride, antihistamines (Diphenhydramine, Suprastin, Tavegil) are administered intravenously.

After the removal procedure, the dentist places a tampon in the hole. It should not be removed for another 20 minutes. In case of poor blood clotting, it is kept for about an hour. Otherwise the bleeding will resume. Immediately after removal, the teeth are tightly squeezed, pressing on the tampon.
Do not rinse your mouth, otherwise you can wash the clot out of the wound. An empty hole will quickly become clogged with food debris, plaque and become inflamed.
You need to give up smoking and alcohol for at least a few days. These bad habits will cause bleeding, infection, or swelling of the cheek. Alcohol can dissolve the clot and irritate the tissue. Painkillers should not be combined with alcohol.
If anti-inflammatory drugs or antibiotics have been prescribed, they must be taken strictly according to the schedule and not stopped when improvements occur. Taking antibacterial drugs incorrectly can result in the drugs being ineffective the next time you need them again.
For two days after the procedure, you cannot take a hot bath, go to the sauna, or sunbathe. Heat dilates blood vessels, increasing the risk of rebleeding.
Prohibited physical exercise. They will increase blood pressure.
It is not recommended to sleep on the injured side and place your palm under your cheek for two days after removal.
Rough, spicy foods and hot dishes are removed from the diet. Remains of rough food will get into the wound and cause inflammation. They can also injure the wound. Spicy and hot food will increase blood flow, and the hole will take a long time to heal, and the gums will swell. Do not chew on the injured side. Hot drinks may dissolve the clot.
Teeth are brushed in the usual way. The brush should not injure the hole. Hygiene is a must!
If the dentist has placed stitches, they are removed after a week. Or they dissolve on their own after 10 days.

Swelling after tooth extraction - natural process if no infection has occurred. If there is suppuration, you must consult a dentist, otherwise serious complications will arise. Do not prescribe treatment for yourself. It may be ineffective and harm your health.

What to do when a tooth is removed - says the dentist

One of the most common problems The problem that patients face after tooth extraction is the appearance of significant swelling of the soft tissues located close to the hole. Such swelling can occur during the removal of any tooth, but most often they are most pronounced during extraction chewing teeth(molars), including wisdom teeth.

Is it worth worrying at all and is it necessary to urgently run to the doctor if, after tooth extraction, the gums next to the socket or even the entire cheek are very swollen;
How can you prevent the development of serious edema, which without additional intervention could significantly complicate normal life;
Which associated symptoms should be considered as very alarming, in which it is advisable to seek help from a doctor as soon as possible;
How long does swelling usually last after tooth extraction and how exactly does your situation fit into the concept of normal;
What complications may arise if you incorrectly assess the situation and leave the problem to chance;
We’ll also see what exercises will help with difficulty opening the mouth (this is often observed after complex removal of the lower wisdom teeth).

In what cases does swelling most often occur after tooth extraction?

To better understand how and with what you can relieve swelling after tooth extraction, it is important to first understand the nature of the appearance of the swelling itself.

It is interesting that many people who have an appointment with a dental surgeon strangely forget that they came to the doctor already with swelling, but expect it to disappear immediately, almost on the first day after tooth extraction. After all, it would seem that the problematic tooth has already been removed, why then did the swelling not only not disappear, but even seem to have increased?

A swollen cheek or lip (even before tooth extraction) may be the result of the development of periodontitis (in the acute stage), periostitis or odontogenic osteomyelitis. Many people come to the doctor with an already advanced dental condition, which is manifested by the so-called “flux”. By its nature, flux is a purulent inflammatory process under the periosteum of the alveolar process or the body of the jaw of infectious origin, the focus of which is almost always localized in the area of the root of a neglected tooth.

On a note

When a tooth thoroughly destroyed by caries is not treated for many years, it continues to gradually “rot” and inflammatory processes occur on its roots. The body holds back the onslaught of infection for some time and limits its spread by surrounding it with a capsule shell - a granuloma or cyst.

The photo below shows an extracted tooth with cysts on the roots:

However, the resources of the immune system are not limitless, and the balance of forces can be disrupted under a variety of circumstances: with excessive load on the tooth, concomitant disease(ARVI, for example), stress - all this can trigger the spread of infection in the jaw tissue, which will be accompanied by the accumulation of purulent exudate in them. Moreover, in such quantities that the asymmetry of the face due to edema can be very pronounced.

As a result, in practice, it turns out that in most clinical situations people turn to a dental surgeon for tooth extraction, at a minimum, with an infection surrounding the root, and, at a maximum, with limited or diffuse purulent inflammatory processes (that is, in the acute phase). And although the main problem is eliminated during tooth extraction, the infection and swelling can still make themselves felt for a long time.

Meanwhile, it is worth noting that sometimes relief occurs immediately after tooth extraction: the feeling of fullness disappears, the swelling subsides, and the pain stops. After extracting an ill-fated tooth with cysts on the roots, a person seems to begin to live again (according to patients).

From the practice of a dentist

A number of dentists sometimes practice working without “incisions” to reduce purulent contents in the wound after tooth extraction. In this case, the symmetry of the face, disrupted due to edema, is restored by squeezing fluid from the gums onto a sterile gauze ball. Yes, it is sometimes painful, but the swelling can be relieved very quickly - the patient can immediately see in the mirror how much better everything has become. A swollen, swollen face (cheek, lip) will decrease in volume by 2-3 times in just 5 minutes.”

Not all people’s bodies, after removing the roots of a tooth with granulomas, cysts, or even without them, equally quickly cope with the infection, which continues to reside in the socket for some time. No amount of tweezers can remove millions of bacteria from a wound, both harmless and pathogenic.

After tooth extraction, the wound is filled with a blood clot, which should allow immune factors to deal with traces of infection and start the mechanism for successful healing of the hole. For many, this mechanism is triggered by a cascade of inflammatory reactions - as a result, often on the 2nd day after tooth extraction there is pain, swelling, increased body temperature, and others unpleasant symptoms Not only do they not go away, but they may even intensify somewhat, causing anxiety in the patient.

This can often be observed after the removal of the lower wisdom teeth: with difficulty in their eruption, exacerbation chronic periodontitis, periostitis, etc. In the area of the molars of the lower jaw there is a large volume of loose tissue, well supplied with blood and innervated. That is why inflammatory reaction here it is often accompanied by severe swelling, fever and pain, especially when swallowing.

A completely reasonable question arises: can facial swelling develop if a “quiet” tooth is removed? Indeed, people come to a dental surgeon to remove not only dilapidated rotten teeth, but also completely strong teeth with no infection on the roots.

And they are deleted, for example, for the following reasons:

Due to malocclusion or injury to the buccal mucosa;
Due to interference orthodontic treatment(for example, on braces);
Due to interference with successful prosthetics (for example, it is necessary to remove an unnecessary tooth root or a mobile tooth);
Or at the personal request of patients who refuse on principle to treat a tooth that could still be saved.

In such cases, swelling after tooth extraction also occurs, but they are usually noticeably less pronounced compared to tooth extraction against the background purulent exacerbation. However, in this case, especially when wrong actions patient to care for the hole, the wound may become infected with the subsequent development of significant swelling, pain and putrid odor from the mouth. We'll talk more about these alarming symptoms below.

In the meantime, let's see how you can initially prevent the development of severe swelling after tooth extraction, thereby making postoperative period more comfortable. And what mistakes should not be made...

How can you prevent the development of severe swelling after tooth extraction?

There are many techniques that make it possible to ensure that swelling on the face after tooth extraction does not appear at all - the swelling that occurs will be small and will only affect the gums within the socket.

There are three main points to note here that give good effect in complex:

Application of cold on the first day after tooth extraction;
Refusal of hot, hard and spicy food, as well as from active physical activity and warming up (bath, sauna, steam room, solarium, hot bath);
Taking medications (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, antihistamines, sometimes hemostatics).

To prevent severe swelling after tooth extraction, most dentists recommend applying cold to the cheek area on the side where the hole is located. Again, not all dentists recommend this method, as they are well aware that patients can carry out the same instructions in very different ways. If a doctor tells a person on the road: “To prevent your cheek from swelling, use cold during the day,” then you can expect anything.

As a result, in winter that saving “cold” can become snow: in best case scenario for 1-2 minutes, at worst – for an hour or more. In the summer, such a patient will be drawn to the freezer and the frozen foods in it (chicken, berries, dumplings), which, like snow, can cause serious frostbite on the face.

Not every dentist is for limited time will be able to convey to the patient that we are talking about a cold compress. That is, there is no need to freeze the face until it turns white, but it is important that there is little exposure to cold on the skin. If there is a pack of frozen dumplings, then it should be wrapped in a towel, if the towel is thin - in several layers. Etc. That is, common sense is important here.

Hot water bottle with cold water- the best option. Again, if the water is icy, you need to wrap the heating pad in a towel, and when the water warms up, remove the towel or change the water. Retention time is 15-20 minutes every 2 hours.

Cold, as a local decongestant, is certainly effective, but only in combination with common sense and detailed instructions.

It is important to know!

The use of cold is only relevant in the first day after tooth extraction. Relieving swelling with cold on the second day will be much less effective.

If cold constricts blood vessels and reduces blood flow in the wound area, then everything that relates to warming up the body contributes to the development of severe swelling (hot food and drinks, physical activity, bathhouse, etc.). Warming procedures should be avoided for 3-4 days after tooth extraction.

On a note

Showering and washing your hair is fine, but you should adjust the water temperature to around 36-37°C so that the water is warm, not hot.

What else can prevent swelling after tooth extraction?

Those patients who suffer from diseases of cardio-vascular system, should closely monitor blood pressure and take medications recommended by the doctor to reduce it. After all, the swelling and hematoma that occurs after tooth extraction in such cases are largely the result of alveolar bleeding against the background of increased pressure. Stable blood pressure is the key to comfort in the postoperative period.

As for drugs, there are many drugs that prevent severe swelling and even reduce them if they have already formed. These drugs include antihistamines. People know them primarily as antiallergic drugs, but they can also be called decongestants.

When choosing a particular drug, contraindications to its use should be taken into account (for example, pregnancy, lactation, childhood, a number of diseases, etc.), as well as drug interactions at simultaneous use with other drugs. Understand how much this or that antihistamine in your situation it will be effective and safe, the doctor should at your appointment.

The same applies to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, hemostatics, glucocorticoids and other drugs, which determine how comfortable the postoperative period will be. Such medication assistance must be carried out under the supervision of a physician.

It should be noted that despite the efforts made to reduce the severity of edema, it can still appear and cause discomfort. This is especially common after the removal of impacted wisdom teeth in the lower jaw. The post-traumatic inflammatory process due to the anatomy and location of wisdom teeth, even despite the efforts made by the doctor and the patient, often leads to the appearance of quite pronounced edema.

The picture below shows a semi-impacted wisdom tooth:

Don't panic right away. Typically, swelling reaches its maximum within 2-3 days after the removal of a wisdom tooth, and here it is important to monitor the condition as a whole, and not just one symptom. If there is a serious deterioration in health (increase in temperature to high levels, unbearable pain that cannot be controlled even with analgesics, suppuration or bleeding from the socket), then you should consult a doctor immediately.

Now a few words about the appearance of a bruise on the entire cheek, neck or jaw after tooth extraction.

You should not panic when such a bruise appears, even if it looks threatening. After the removal of lower molars, the formation, along with swelling of an extensive hematoma, is indeed often observed (especially in patients with arterial hypertension) – at first the hematoma may have a bluish color, after 3-5 days it turns yellow, and then completely disappears without a trace. The appearance of a hematoma after tooth extraction does not indicate any complications or mistakes of the dental surgeon, being quite a common occurrence.

This is interesting

A hematoma can even occur due to puncture of the gums with a needle during the administration of an anesthetic. To prevent the appearance of an unwanted bruise after anesthesia before tooth extraction, a number of dentists ask you to press your hand over the injection site for 1-2 minutes through the cheek. Some doctors believe that this is a relic of the past: modern technology working with imported anesthetics has almost no risk of developing large hematomas when blood vessels are injured. However, if there is a risk of developing a hematoma due to the individual characteristics of the patient, this technique of “pressing the injection site” can be considered relevant in our time.

What other symptoms may accompany swelling, and when should you rush to see a doctor?

Even if, thanks to the methods described above, it is possible to significantly remove swelling after tooth extraction, this is not a complete guarantee of a successful postoperative period.

The most common manifestations accompanying swelling are:

Increased body temperature;
Deterioration in health;
The appearance of pain (especially when swallowing, chewing and even while talking);
Difficulty opening the mouth;
Paresthesia.

An increase in body temperature most often occurs on the first day after tooth extraction. This normal reaction body in response to surgical intervention, but only in this context: in the evening it is at its highest (up to 38.5°C), and in the morning it is either 36.6 or slightly higher (no more than 37.5°C). In this case, we can say that the body is fighting normally, coping with the inflammatory process.

The more teeth were removed at one time, the stronger the body’s response can be.

The photo below shows fresh holes after removing two teeth at once:

Thus, elevated temperature on days 1-2 after removal should not be considered a pathology, but it should be monitored 2 times a day at the same time (for example, early in the morning at 8 o’clock and then late in the evening at 20:00). If the temperature is above 38.5°C, or lasts for more than 2 days, with high morning readings, then this is a reason to consult a doctor.

The degree of deterioration in well-being after tooth extraction largely depends on the individual characteristics of each person’s body. If the body is weakened due to other diseases, there are immune pathologies, or elderly age, then your health may deteriorate significantly, and you will need the help of a doctor. There can be no talk of any ability to work. Only a doctor can assess the condition after an examination, and if necessary, a sick leave certificate will be issued for the required number of days so that the patient can recuperate at home.

On a note

Some people are so “eager to go to work” (that is, to get to work as quickly as possible) that they do not want to spend even a couple of days on home treatment. Quickly relieve the swelling, swallow a couple of painkillers if the hole hurts - and go ahead! However, it is important to understand that after a surgical operation (and tooth extraction is an operation), the body needs to be given time to recover. Otherwise, failure to comply with the doctor’s recommendations can lead to a series of progressive serious complications.

The appearance of severe pain against the background of developed edema is a frequent phenomenon and, perhaps, the most unpleasant, especially when the pain is not relieved by analgesics. Doctors almost always include painkillers in their recommendations to help cope with the painful period in the first days after tooth extraction. However, with the development of tissue swelling, both mild pain and bursting, tearing and pain that cannot be relieved by painkillers may occur, which cannot be dealt with independently.

During development acute pain 2-3 and subsequent days after tooth extraction against the background of fever, severe swelling, putrid breath and other alarming symptoms, you should urgently consult a doctor for help.

Swelling may be accompanied by difficulty opening the mouth (often observed when removing lower tooth wisdom). It can be painful to open your mouth even a couple of centimeters. There is a strange sensation of pain when swallowing, like a sore throat, on one side. It's connected with anatomical location eighth teeth: the spread of edema involves the masticatory muscles of the jaw.

Within 3-4 days, improvement usually occurs - pain when opening the mouth decreases, and other symptoms (if they arise) also gradually disappear, that is, positive dynamics are determined. If this does not happen, and your mouth still barely opens, or it has become worse, then you need to consult a doctor.

Problems of a neurological nature occur much less frequently - in particular, paresthesia, that is, loss of sensitivity in the area extracted tooth, as well as in the area of the lip, cheek, and chin. This most often concerns cases of removal of the lower wisdom teeth (eights), less often – the lower sixth and seventh teeth.

The cause may be excessive trauma in the intervention area with damage to the mandibular nerve; less often, paresthesia is a consequence of the development of edema, in which compression of the nerve trunk occurs. In the latter case, the loss of sensitivity is eliminated on its own as the swelling (hematoma) in the area of the extracted tooth decreases.

The recovery time for a damaged nerve trunk is quite long: from 2-3 weeks to 1-2 years, depending on the severity of the disorders. However, you can speed up this process somewhat - it is important to consult a doctor in time with this problem, determine the cause of paresthesia and begin restorative procedures (physiotherapy) in a timely manner.

“I removed a wisdom tooth 3 months ago, which could not erupt from the gums. I was immediately told that after such a complex removal there would be swelling and it could hurt a lot in the first days. After the removal, I was prescribed antibiotics and oral baths with an antiseptic, and also levomekol on the gums. I removed it on Wednesday, and the biggest swelling swelled on Friday, it’s good that it was before the weekend. I thought I wouldn’t go to work, but on Sunday it disappeared completely, leaving only a small yellowish bruise on my cheek...”

Oksana, St. Petersburg

How long does swelling usually last after tooth extraction?

If the doctor, after removing a tooth, did not pay due attention to the patient and did not inform him about the basic recommendations for caring for the hole (this is often found in clinics), then when even minor problems arise, a person often experiences panic fear. This is especially true for the appearance of swelling and severe pain: due to the stress suffered after a serious tooth extraction, the patient is simply afraid to see a doctor again, does not know whether the current situation is dangerous and what to do.

So, in this case, it is useful to know how long the swelling lasts on average after tooth extraction, as well as how long other unpleasant symptoms appear.

According to studies, it turned out that swelling can reach its maximum on days 2-3, and this is not a deviation from the norm, as is a slight increase in body temperature, some deterioration in general condition, and the appearance of pain. All these are completely natural and natural manifestations of the post-traumatic inflammatory process.

However, patients often cannot decide on their own how many days they can tolerate swelling or swelling of the face until it subsides, and when they should still bother the dentist. Meanwhile, a number of dentists insist that patients bother them even if there are slight deviations from normal health (swelling, aching pain, fever up to 38°C).

So what should you do - go straight to the doctor if something starts to bother you after tooth extraction, or wait? The answer is this: it never hurts to play it safe, and you shouldn’t wait for the swelling to spread to the neck or take up half of the face (sometimes you can’t even open your eyes because of the swelling). If something is bothering you, then it makes sense to at least call the doctor and ask for advice, or make an appointment for an examination.

However, when there is a clear positive trend (the swelling is insignificant and began to go away on the 3-4th day, there is almost no fever, severe pain, impaired mouth opening, paresthesia, putrid breath), then, of course, you should not go regularly every two days to the doctor with questions about why the temperature is 37.2 and the gums ache a little.

The postoperative period lasts on average from 3 to 10 days. The main symptoms (swelling, pain) can be severe for up to 3-4 days. Usually all unpleasant phenomena disappear within a week, and in difficult cases - within two weeks. And the main rule here is no self-medication without recommendations and supervision from a dentist.

About possible complications

Now let's look at situations where swelling accompanies possible complications after tooth extraction. In such cases, the swelling does not subside until the underlying disease is eliminated.

Let's start with, perhaps, the most common complication - alveolitis. Alveolitis is a consequence of infection of the socket, that is, simply put, it is its inflammation. The degree of swelling may be more significant. Often during alveolitis, suppuration of the gums around the socket of the extracted tooth occurs, and sometimes suppuration develops when pressed.

You should not treat alveolitis on your own; you should consult a doctor. It is important to understand the main causes of this pathology:

There could be fragments of a tooth or its root left in the hole;
A granuloma or cyst remains at the bottom of the socket;
The so-called “dry socket” (that is, without a blood clot protecting it);
Residues of food getting into the hole and rotting there;
Gross violation of the doctor’s recommendations (attempts to pick the hole with a toothpick, warm it up, etc.)

A more serious complication is limited osteomyelitis of the tooth socket. In rare cases, with advanced alveolitis or its unsuccessful treatment, purulent-necrotic inflammation develops bone walls holes – osteomyelitis.

Its symptoms are very pronounced: a throbbing pain may appear in the socket, radiating to neighboring teeth, the person stops sleeping normally, eating, and cannot work. The temperature reaches high values, severe swelling develops, spreading to the gums bordering adjacent teeth, as well as to the soft tissues of the face. The person begins to be bothered by bad breath, and the lymph nodes become enlarged.

In such cases, as a rule, it is already necessary specialized assistance in conditions of maxillofacial surgery.

Among possible complications After tooth extraction, it is also worth noting abscess and phlegmon.

An abscess is a limited purulent inflammation, and phlegmon is diffuse (and may even threaten the patient’s life). Often children with such severe complications come to the operating surgeons.

In a child (especially a weakened one), a matter of days may pass from the development of edema to an abscess and phlegmon. Unlike adults, children do not always have protective factors against fulminant infection. Therefore, parents should remember that the formation of severe swelling in a child after tooth extraction (even a milk tooth) is a reason to sound the alarm and rush to the doctor immediately.

Special exercises for difficulty opening the mouth after removal of molars

Many people, after the removal of a molar tooth (usually in the lower jaw, especially a wisdom tooth), begin to be seriously concerned about the fact that it is simply impossible to open their mouth normally. Problems with opening the mouth (trismus) can occur with or without significant swelling. Sometimes the mouth cannot be opened even 1-2 centimeters, which creates big problems not only with speech, but, above all, with eating.

What can be done here to quickly get closer to the normal state?

First of all, you need to keep in mind that removing swelling does not guarantee a successful solution to the problem of opening your mouth. If trismus is “fresh”, then the jaw must be developed - otherwise, surgical intervention may be necessary. The time frame for the disappearance of trismus is purely individual - from a week to 1-2 months (much depends on how difficult the tooth extraction was).

From the very first days after tooth extraction, you can perform gymnastics on your own, using a chewing gum or without it. Frequent and small chewing movements accelerate the development of the joint even against the background of an inflammatory process in the area of the masticatory muscles. It is important to exercise without fanaticism, until feeling light pain, otherwise such exercises will only be harmful.

As for a more complex set of exercises, it is necessary to consult a dentist who deals with TMJ diseases. You will need exercise therapy - therapeutic Physical Culture For maxillofacial area.

Here are examples of several exercises to improve mouth opening:

Without muscle tension calm opening of the mouth (as far as possible) at a slow pace in a position with the head thrown back;
Lowering the jaw and, with little effort, moving it forward;
At open mouth(as far as possible), raising the voice with the sound “a”;
Lightly pull the lower jaw down with both hands, using the thumbs to grab the chin with the head thrown back.

Alternating tension and relaxation of the muscles of the maxillofacial area has a significant therapeutic effect when each exercise is performed competently and systematically.

In especially severe cases, especially when trismus has existed for several months or more, mechanotherapy is required - a set of exercises using special devices. Most often, mechanotherapy is carried out in combination with physiotherapeutic procedures (electrophoresis, ultraviolet irradiation, thermal oral baths, paraffin therapy and others).

What you should and should not do after tooth extraction

Video review about the consequences of wisdom tooth removal (by day)

Instructions

The leading specialist, maxillofacial surgeon Igor Yurievich Malinovsky of the Dental Center for Dental Implantation answers.

Many people are frightened by the phrase “tooth extraction,” although this procedure itself does not involve any difficulty or pain. Of course, depending on the condition of the tooth (splitting and removal in parts) or, for example, the length of the roots (a length of 3-4 cm is quite realistic), additional incisions in the gum may be required during the operation to simplify the extraction of bone tissue. And if the procedure itself may be painless, then the consequences of removal carry complications, in the form of a tumor in the cheek area and significant swelling.

This outcome of events is quite predictable; after removal, the doctor who performed the operation is obliged to give you a reminder that will guide you and maintain the condition of the postoperative area. Leading maxillofacial surgeons at a high-tech dental clinic will definitely instruct you after the operation, take pictures and prepare a preventive treatment plan.

For your understanding, let's look at what will happen to you step by step and what you will need to do.

After the procedure, the doctor provides the patient with an ice pack; it is usually kept for two hours, alternately for 10 minutes, alternating between breaks and application. Ice is needed to reduce the likelihood of swelling, and pain is also noticeably reduced from cold. Remember that swelling will still occur (2-3 days), but its extent depends, among other things, on the first hours of exposure to the affected area. If your doctor does not provide you with ice, ask him for this service.

As already mentioned, your doctor will prescribe the products that should be used to treat the hole or suture. Independent activity in use, including antibacterial agents, should be excluded.

To avoid exposing yourself to soft tissue swelling, do not apply warm compresses! The pain will only get worse. You should also avoid any thermal procedures (solarium, hammam, sauna, bathhouse, etc.).

You can treat the area of tooth extraction with Miramistin. And good tissue regeneration will be ensured by the postoperative gel "Solcoseryl". Its main advantage is its use until final healing, and not for a certain period.

When purulent removal(cyst, gumboil, etc.) Prepare for the fact that the dental surgeon will prescribe you a course of antibiotics, because the infection multiplies very quickly, and there is a high probability of waking up a day after surgery with a large swelling of the cheek.

If pain worsens, you should take painkillers (ketorol, ketocam, analgin); moreover, you should not neglect them, because It's a dull pain does not subside immediately. It is quite possible for the temperature to rise; ordinary antipyretics (ibuprofen, paracetamol), but not aspirin, will help here. Aspirin can only worsen the situation by bleeding from the wound.

If you find pus in the suture area, you should immediately make an appointment with the doctor who performed the removal. But to ease the situation and remove a little pus before examination, use saline solution. It should be warm and concentrated. Rinsing in the area of removal should be gentle and not strong. They can be produced several times a day.

If the swelling does not go away after a week, your general condition has worsened, and the pain does not subside, you should immediately contact a dental surgeon. The reason may be internal state gums, you may need an OPTG (panoramic photo) to understand what's wrong.

Remember, self-medication in this case can worsen your situation, and neglect is fraught with blood poisoning. You can always turn to specialists, because... a tooth that seems to be gone can bring many problems.

Most people take tooth extraction very lightly, considering it a simple and harmless procedure. In fact, it's small surgery, which often leads to complications and side effects. If after tooth extraction the cheek swells, there is noticeable pain and even fever, this may be a sign of the onset of an inflammatory process and require a second visit to the doctor.

Why does swelling occur?

In most cases main reason swelling of the cheek is the destruction of the soft tissue around the tooth. It entails traumatic swelling of the gums and cheeks, and sometimes even the palate. With complex removal, for example, of a wisdom or impacted tooth, tissue damage is almost inevitable. In this case, the appearance of edema is not a complication and does not pose a danger to the health and life of the patient.

Sometimes the cheek swells due to inflammation, which can be caused by a dentist’s mistake or the patient’s failure to follow the doctor’s recommendations in the postoperative period. If the doctor did not follow all the rules of asepsis and antisepsis, did not properly sanitize the source of infection under the tooth or did not remove it completely, then all this can provoke the development of inflammation.

Often, swelling of the cheek is a sign of an allergic reaction to the anesthetic used. Sometimes patients develop alveolitis or inflammation of the socket. After tooth extraction, a special blood clot forms in its place. If this clot is removed or if it suppurates, the entire cheek swells.

Scheme of the course of alveolitis: 1 – an unhealthy tooth is ready for removal. 2 – removal was carried out in violation of aseptic rules and the process of infection began in the hole. 3 – development of alveolitis

If your face is swollen, this is not a reason to panic. In most cases, this is not dangerous. But it won’t hurt to visit a doctor to determine whether swelling is the cause foreign object or a piece of tooth left in the gum.

When is cheek swelling not dangerous?

Swelling after tooth extraction does not cause any complications if:

Swelling of the gums and cheeks appeared even before the operation;
The swelling is small and does not increase over time;
Removal was not easy and soft tissues were damaged (incisions were made). This swelling usually goes away within two days without treatment;
Swelling is not accompanied by fever;
The cheek doesn't hurt or discomfort gradually decrease;
The hole is closed with a special dense blood clot;
The smell from the mouth did not change and did not become unpleasant.

If your health is not affected, the pain is tolerable, and the swelling gradually decreases or at least does not increase, then there is no reason to immediately run to the dentist. Most likely, everything will return to normal in a few days.

The sequence of processes occurring in the tooth socket after extraction

When should you see a doctor?

In some cases, the appearance of edema indicates serious problems in the body. You should consult a doctor if:

The cheek is very swollen, but there are no pronounced pain in the tooth. This often happens after pulpitis, if the doctor has not completely cleaned the canals. Since the nerve is no longer there, severe pain will not occur, but the tumor will increase. This situation threatens the development of a cyst.
The swelling is accompanied by difficulty breathing, shortness of breath - this happens when a severe allergic reaction develops.
The pain in the socket area does not subside or even intensifies.
The temperature has risen and your health has noticeably worsened - this may indicate intoxication.
The smell from the mouth became unpleasant and putrid.
There was discomfort when moving the jaw, pain during swallowing.
The swelling did not appear immediately, but after about 3 days - this may indicate the development of alveolitis.

Severe pain in the jaw and difficulty in its movement after tooth extraction is a clear reason to consult a doctor

Sometimes the deterioration of the condition occurs very slowly, so the patient does not notice it. If relief does not occur over time, you need to analyze your well-being now and a few hours ago. At the slightest sign of deterioration, you should try to see a dentist as soon as possible.

Treatment of swelling after tooth extraction

No one wants to walk with an asymmetrical face, so when swelling appears, it is very important to establish its cause and try to start treatment as early as possible. If the swelling is physiological, then simple home methods will suffice. But in dangerous situations It’s better not to try to self-medicate and trust your doctor.

What can you do yourself?

If there is no reason to visit the dentist, then to speed up recovery you can:

Attach cold compress to the cheek. You can use a wet cloth, a piece of ice, or a bottle of water. Cold will help relieve pain and reduce inflammation.
Make a soda-salt compress. To prepare it, add 1 tsp. soda and 0.5 tsp. salt with a glass of warm water. Moisten a cotton swab in the resulting solution and apply it to the gum for 15–20 minutes. After an hour, the procedure is repeated.
Sleeping on a high pillow promotes drainage excess liquid from the head and reduce swelling.
Use over-the-counter decongestant medications, such as Lymphomyosot drops. Gels and ointments for external use for dental edema are not highly effective.
If there is a suspicion that the nature of the swelling is allergic, then you can take any antihistamine medication - for example, Suprastin.
Do not worry, as worries contribute to increased pressure, which can cause increased swelling.

A cool compress helps relieve pain and reduce swelling

How is treatment carried out at the clinic?

IN dental clinic The doctor first analyzes the general condition of the patient and examines the postoperative wound. This allows you to determine the cause of edema and choose the right treatment tactics.

If the wound is dry, then the lesion is sanitized, necrotic tissue and pus are removed. Then the wound is washed with an antiseptic - for example, dioxidin, furatsilin or hydrogen peroxide and an antibiotic. Sometimes the doctor decides to use proteolytic enzymes locally.
If the cause of the swelling is a piece of tooth that remains in the gum, then it is removed and the wound is treated.
If there is an abscess, the wound is drained using silicone drainage tubes or rubber strips, and then prescribed drug treatment. Most often it is recommended to take broad-spectrum antibiotics and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

After this, the patient can go home and continue treatment on their own.

IN difficult situations only a doctor can choose correct treatment and implement it

Prevention of complications

To avoid swelling of the cheek and many other complications, it is important to listen to the doctor’s advice immediately after removal and follow all his recommendations.

Immediately after surgery, the dentist places a small gauze pad into the hole to control bleeding. It must be removed at the time specified by the doctor so that it does not become a breeding ground for infection. But this must be done very carefully, as there is a risk of damage to the blood clot and its subsequent suppuration.
After returning home, it is recommended to immediately, without waiting for the cheek to swell, apply a cool compress to it.
For the first 2 days, you should not rinse your mouth vigorously, so as not to accidentally wash out a blood clot.
You cannot eat for 3 hours after surgery.
Smoking and drinking alcohol are prohibited for 24 hours after removal.
If the doctor has recommended taking antibiotics, you should not interrupt the course and drink alcohol during treatment.
Do not touch the hole with your hands or any objects.
The use of warm compresses immediately after surgery is prohibited.
If a wisdom tooth has been removed, physical labor is limited for some time.

Video: “Rules for oral care after tooth extraction”

In most cases, slight swelling of the cheek after tooth extraction is physiological and goes away over time without treatment. Consistently following all the dentist’s advice helps speed up this process. If the swelling causes severe discomfort, the intensity of which increases over time, you should consult a doctor. He will be able to determine the cause of the problem and choose best practices treatment.