Dental work can sometimes make a patient feel unwell, especially following procedures involving surgery or sedation. While most dental treatments are performed safely, feeling sick afterward is a distinct possibility. This reaction can range from transient discomfort and nausea to systemic issues like fever or allergic responses. Understanding the difference between expected side effects and signs of a genuine problem is important for recovery.
Immediate Side Effects Related to the Procedure
The most immediate causes of feeling sick relate to the medications used or the physical nature of the procedure. Anesthesia is a frequent culprit; whether intravenous (IV) sedation or general anesthesia is used, the drugs can cause side effects like lightheadedness, dizziness, or nausea upon waking. General anesthesia, typically used for complex procedures, carries the highest chance of causing post-procedure nausea and vomiting.
Nausea can also be caused by substances inadvertently swallowed during the dental work. It is common to swallow small amounts of blood, saliva, or dental solutions during a procedure, especially an extraction. Swallowing a larger quantity of blood can irritate the stomach lining, leading to an upset stomach or vomiting. This sickness is generally short-lived and resolves once the materials have passed through the digestive system.
Even without anesthesia, the physical trauma of surgery, such as a tooth extraction, triggers the body’s natural inflammatory response. This immune system activation can cause flu-like symptoms, including fatigue, malaise, or a low-grade fever that does not exceed 100.4°F (38°C). These symptoms are typically transient, lasting no more than 48 hours, and represent the body beginning the healing process.
Delayed Illness: Post-Operative Infection
A more concerning type of illness is a post-operative infection, which develops when bacteria enter the surgical site after the procedure. These infections typically appear 24 to 72 hours following the dental work. The strongest indicator of a systemic sickness is a persistent or spiking fever, particularly if it rises above 101°F (38.3°C).
Infection is also accompanied by localized signs that worsen instead of improving after the first two days. These signs include severe swelling that increases after 48 hours, spreading redness around the surgical site, or a foul-smelling discharge or pus from the wound. A persistent bad taste or bad breath, despite good oral hygiene, can also signal a bacterial buildup.
A specific complication following an extraction is dry socket, or alveolar osteitis, which is not a bacterial infection but can cause intense pain and general malaise. Dry socket occurs when the protective blood clot in the extraction site dissolves prematurely, exposing the underlying bone. While it causes severe, throbbing pain that often radiates to the ear, it does not typically produce a fever or pus, differentiating it from a true systemic infection.
Sensitivity and Allergic Reactions to Dental Materials
Feeling sick can also result from a reaction to foreign substances used during the procedure, which is distinct from a bacterial infection. Delayed hypersensitivity reactions, such as contact dermatitis, can occur in response to materials like latex, nickel in metal crowns, or components in bonding agents. These reactions often appear as localized symptoms like itching, a rash, or swelling around the mouth or face.
Severe allergic reactions to dental anesthetics like lidocaine or novocaine are exceedingly rare but possible. They may present with hives, swelling, or, in serious cases, difficulty breathing. Reactions to impression materials or temporary cements are also possible, manifesting as redness and swelling in the oral mucosa.
The use of dental amalgam, a filling material containing mercury, has often been a topic of public concern. Scientific consensus generally considers amalgam safe and effective for dental restorations. However, some individuals can experience a localized, delayed allergic reaction to the mercury component, often appearing as rash-like lesions on the adjacent oral tissues.
When to Contact Your Dentist Immediately
It is helpful to distinguish between expected recovery discomfort and symptoms signaling a need for urgent professional attention. Mild soreness, slight bruising, and a low-grade temperature under 100.4°F (38°C) on the first day are considered normal and manageable at home. However, certain “red flag” symptoms indicate a potential complication or spreading infection that requires immediate evaluation.
You should contact your dental office immediately if you experience heavy bleeding that does not stop after applying firm pressure for 30 minutes. Signs of a severe or spreading infection also warrant an urgent call. These include a fever over 101°F (38.3°C) or swelling that rapidly increases, especially if it impedes your ability to swallow or open your mouth. Severe pain unresponsive to prescribed medication or persistent nausea and vomiting that prevents hydration are also serious concerns.