Tooth extraction is a routine dental procedure to remove a tooth from its socket. It is often necessary due to severe decay, extensive damage, overcrowding, or impaction. While generally safe, like any surgical procedure, tooth extraction carries a potential for complications, including infection at the extraction site.
How Common Are Infections?
Infections after tooth extraction are uncommon. The overall incidence is low, around 2%. For routine extractions, the risk of postoperative infection is minimal.
However, infection risk varies with procedure complexity. More complex extractions, like impacted wisdom tooth removal, have a slightly higher rate. For instance, the risk after wisdom tooth removal in healthy individuals is approximately 10%.
What Causes Post-Extraction Infections?
Infections after tooth extraction typically occur when bacteria enter the open wound left by the removed tooth. Several factors can increase this risk. Poor oral hygiene is a significant contributor, allowing bacteria to accumulate and invade the extraction area.
Patient factors also play a role, including smoking, which disrupts healing, weakens the immune system, and introduces harmful bacteria. Medical conditions like diabetes or a compromised immune system also increase infection susceptibility. Procedure factors, like extraction complexity or incomplete tooth fragment removal, also contribute to risk.
Signs of Infection
Recognizing post-extraction infection signs is important for timely intervention. While some discomfort, swelling, and redness are normal in the first 24 to 48 hours after surgery, worsening symptoms can indicate an infection. Increasing pain that does not subside or intensifies after a few days is a key indicator. Worsening swelling, or new swelling in surrounding tissues, also suggests a problem.
Other signs include pus or a white/yellow discharge from the extraction site. A persistent foul taste or odor, resulting from bacterial activity, can also signal infection. A fever or chills can also indicate the body is fighting infection. If these symptoms appear, contact a dentist.
Preventing Infection
Preventing infection after tooth extraction involves diligently following post-operative instructions. Maintaining proper oral hygiene is key, including gently rinsing with warm salt water after 24 hours to keep the area clean and reduce bacteria. Avoid strenuous activity for at least 24 hours and refrain from disturbing the blood clot with the tongue or fingers to protect the healing site.
Avoid smoking and using straws, as these can dislodge the blood clot and delay healing. Eat soft foods and avoid hot, spicy, or crunchy items for the first few days to prevent irritation. If antibiotics are prescribed, take them exactly as directed for the full course.
Treating an Infection
If a post-extraction infection is diagnosed, prompt dental care is necessary to manage the condition and prevent complications. Treatment typically involves antibiotics to target and eliminate the bacterial infection. The specific antibiotic prescribed depends on the individual’s medical history and infection type.
In some cases, the dentist may need to drain pus from the infected area to facilitate healing. Further socket cleaning might also be performed. Avoid self-treating a suspected infection and consult a dentist immediately upon noticing any signs of concern.