Removal of wisdom teeth – the possible consequences

Removal of wisdom teeth is a frequent phenomenon in our days, as third molars, or “eights”, as they are called, they are a throwback. They are not involved in chewing, but they create a favorable environment for the development of oral bacteria and yeast.

“Eights” often are the cause of the adjacent teeth caries, because they are located too far away, so they cannot be well cleaned, moreover, they almost always grow wrong or painfully.

The roots of the third molars are very wide and deep, so removing them is a very serious operation, in which the key role is given to the consequences of its implementation, and post-operative care.

Temperature

A slight increase in temperature along with the pain and swelling for three days is a normal phenomenon after “pulling off” of the third molar. The temperature is usually after the removal not higher than 99 (37.5 Celsius) degrees, till the morning it should subside.

The gradual decrease of temperature with pain is a sign of the beginning of the healing of wounds. Accurate diagnosis, when the temperature is a sign of complications of tooth extraction, can only give a specialist. In the case of its increase above 100 (38 Celsius) degrees for a period of more than three days, you should immediately consult your dentist.

An increase in temperature, as a consequence of removing the “eight”, appears if there is:

• inflammatory process;
• allergic reaction;
• the presence of a foreign body in the wound;
• the damaged tissue of the jaw;
• alveolitis;
• the pinched nerve.

Bleeding

A little bleeding may occur after the operation; it all depends on the individual characteristics of the patient’s body. For some patients blood clots quickly, for others – it does not stop for a long time.

The physician, in any case, should not let go a patient with non-stop bleeding in the mouth. A dentist can apply a seam on the wound, which stops the unpleasant consequence of the operation and accelerates healing.

Repeated bleeding can start a few hours after removal, this phenomenon does not go beyond the norm. It can be stopped by yourself. To do this, take a sterile swab, lay in the wound and gently flatten it.

The cause of beginning of heavy bleeding may be:

• hot tubs,
• smoking (which thins the blood),
• sharp facial movement (from which it is better to refrain till the wound healing).

Alveolitis

Alveolitis is a dangerous complication of removal of the third molar when an open wound at the site removing is infected.

Causes of alveolitis:

• Leaching of a blood clot that is being formed on the wound after the removal of the third molar due to too intensive rinse.
• The blood clot is not formed due to poor blood clotting.
• Violation of oral hygiene, careless food entrance into the wound.

Accurate diagnosis can only be given by a doctor after x-rays.

The symptoms of alveolitis (one or several of them may occur):

• aching or heavy jerking pain, which is spreading to the whole area of the cheeks or face;
• the increase of a body temperature to 102 degrees;
• tooth sensitivity to cold and hot;
• swollen lymph nodes;
• bitter taste in the mouth;
• putrid breath;
• swelling of the face area;
• loss of appetite, weakness.

Alveolitis is being treated using a combinational therapy, eliminating the infection from the wound and preventing complications. Local rinsing of the wound with hydrogen peroxide or furatsilin is applied.

To alleviate pain, use a compress on the wound with anesthetics. Applications are applied for not more than half an hour, in order not to contribute to the growth of microbes. Taking analgesics inside is impractical due to the required large doses, it can harm the body.

Sometimes treatment requires antibiotics, properly prescribed by your doctor. Usually, with a proper and timely treatment of alveolitis, it is resolved in a few days. Otherwise, the disease can last for 2-4 weeks.

Paresthesia

Paresthesia is numbness of the parts of the face, lips, cheeks, chin, tongue, due to damage to the facial or jaw nerve in the process of removal of a wisdom tooth.

Opinion on the direct blame the dentist, or a possible “legal” consequences of removing remains open. The syndrome can last from several days to several months, but, as a result, still disappears.

“Eight” starts to erupt at the age of about 20 years, and it is desirable to get rid of such “wisdom” as soon as possible. The earlier the age of the third molar is removed, the less likely the paresthesia.

Numbness will pass faster if the doctor prescribes UHF or electrophoresis. Also to accelerate the elimination of unpleasant syndrome vitamin complex of group B will help. There is a whole range of homeopathic medicines that can speed up the removal of stiffness: sekale kornutum, viskum and many others.

Medicine with gingko biloba extract will help a lot. Out of folk remedies – horse chestnut, viburnum bark, yarrow, primrose. In addition, it is advisable to visit a neurologist or neurostomatology for purposes of a treatment course.

Very rarely the degree of nerve damage is so large that causes practically permanent numbness. In any case, one cannot avoid the help of a physician.

Blood tumor

Blood tumor at the site of the removed molar wound is dangerous because it is very difficult to diagnose at an early stage. Only after a long period of time, there is swelling of the gums. If no action is taken, pus is formed in the wound. The patient experiences severe pain, increased body temperature.

Blood tumor cannot be eliminated with the help of baths and lotions. A care of a physician who will slightly cut the gum, put drainage and remove the pus is needed. Severe pain and temperature disappear almost immediately; some unpleasant feelings may occur for 5-7 days.

If the right steps are not taken, pus will appear and, as a consequence, a severe pain, and fever. The prerequisites for the formation of a blood tumor can be capillary fragility and high blood pressure.

Periostitis

Periostitis, in other words, flux, occurs due to the inflammation after removal of third molars affecting periosteal tissue. It is characterized by severe pain, swelling of the cheeks and sometimes weakness, chills, fever.

When such symptoms occur an autopsy and washing of wounds are immediately conducted. Taking antibiotics course is mandatory. Drug therapy is appointed for a period of 5 to 20 days.

What should i do after the surgery?

The consequences of the removal of a wisdom tooth may be different, it all depends on:

• the complexity of the operation;
• immunity of the patient;
• what kind of a wisdom tooth is being removed (upper heal much faster). The consequences of the removal of lower wisdom teeth are more complex – this is a higher temperature than is the case with their upper molars and bleeding.

The doctor in each individual case shall appoint the required care and treatment after the removal of molars.

Basic care includes:

• After removal, a swab with styptic and antiseptic is laid into the wound. It is needed to get it out in 20 minutes, so it does not become a breeding ground for infection. The wound has to form a blood clot that protects it from infection. The clot cannot be touched by the tongue.
• “Baths” of an oral cavity, which extends edema, and chamomile extract, which reduces inflammation. Baths are that in a corresponding solution is being poured in the mouth and is being kept for a certain time. Rinse is forbidden since it can damage the clot in the wound.
• When a complex operation a course of antibiotics is assigned, the medication intake should be strictly according to the established hours.
• If a strong flux is formed, it is possible to apply ice for 10-15 minutes.
• Analgesics are also allowed under the unbearable pain.

Contraindications upon removal of the third molar

Postoperative period requires compliance with a number of limitations:

• You cannot take a hot, spicy foods;
• You cannot drink alcohol and smoke;
• Much exercise is not allowed;
• Sauna and steam bath are not desirable;
• You cannot brush your teeth for the first night;
• It is not allowed to warm cheeks, flux, swelling from the wounds side.

For women during menstruation, it is better to postpone the removal of third molars, due to the possibility of too much blood loss.

For pregnant women, if there is no urgent need it is also better to postpone the visit to the dentist. Stress, hormonal changes, a serious inability to use anesthesia after tooth extraction, the inability to prescribe antibiotics in case of complications create unfavorable conditions for both the mother and the fetus.

Thus, if the third molar started to erupt at about 20 years of age, you should consult your dentist for a consultation. In rare cases, “eight” atavism grows correctly, nicely and painless.

In the case of the removal of wisdom teeth, it is necessary to comply with a list of measures mentioned above for the healing to be quicker, and for the patient to have an opportunity to say: “The problem was successfully removed.”