For tooth extractions, you won’t be able to brush, rinse, spit, or use mouthwash on the day of the surgery or for about 24 hours afterward. Resume brushing thereafter, but avoid the extraction site for about 3 days. If you had a tooth extraction, you should not rinse with force. This will create negative pressure that is bad for the blood clot created in the socket. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush, as medium- and hard-bristled toothbrushes can wear the enamel away on your teeth, and can lead to receding gums. [3] X Research source Tu Anh Vu, DMD. Dentist. Personal interview. 7 May 2020.
It’s very easy to make a salt water rinse. All you have to do is add a half teaspoon of salt to one cup of warm water. After oral surgery like wisdom tooth extraction, start to rinse your mouth with salt water the next day. Rinse every two hours and after each meal for a total of about five to six times per day. Rinse gently, by moving your tongue from one cheek to the other. Take care not to harm the extraction site. Continue to do this for a week after the surgery. Some dentists may ask you to irrigate after a tooth extraction, too. They will give you a small dental irrigator to use starting three days afterward, to flush the tooth socket with warm water after meals and at bedtime. This will clean the site and reduce your chance of infection.
You may need to eat a liquid or semi-soft diet for a few days. Things like applesauce, yogurt, pudding, Jello, eggs, or pancakes are usually OK. Avoid tough, crunchy, or hard foods. Things like toast, chips, and fried shrimp could disturb site of your dental work or worse, like opening your stitches and causing bleeding.
Endocarditis occurs in the heart valves, especially in the presence of heart defects. Usually, bacteria in the bloodstream don’t stick to the walls of the heart. However, with some abnormalities the blood flows turbulently and allows bacteria to attach themselves and grow. Endocarditis is a risk if you have artificial heart valves, shunts or conduits, rheumatic heart disease, or other congenital heart defects. Risky procedures for people in this category include dental extractions, dental and periodontal surgeries, implants, and the cleaning of teeth or implants where bleeding is expected. Some people with artificial joints are also at risk for developing infections around those joints. If you have an artificial knee or hip, for example, you could be at an elevated risk for infection after dental work.
Check your medical history – do you know that you have any congenital heart defects? Have you ever had heart surgery? If you don’t remember, ask your general practitioner. Always be honest. Inform your dentist about any kind of health problem you had or you may have, as this can influence the entire treatment. Talk to your dentist to evaluate your risk. She should be able to advise you and, if you are at risk, she will likely prescribe you antibiotics.
In the past, dentists and doctors recommended that at-risk patients take antibiotics before and after dental procedures. Today many instead advise patients to take a single dose about an hour before the procedure. If you’re at-risk you may receive penicillin. However, patients that are allergic to penicillin are often prescribed amoxicillin either in capsule or liquid form. Patients that can’t swallow medicine may be given injectable doses. If you are at-risk for endocarditis and develop a fever or other symptoms of infection after dental work, contact your doctor immediately.
Does it hurt to chew or to touch the area of your mouth that’s affected? Infections are usually sensitive to touch and pressure. Does it hurt to eat hot food or to drink a cold beverage? Infections are also sensitive to temperature. Keep in mind that in some cases, dental infections may not show any symptoms, so it’s important to keep any followup appointments with your dentist so they can monitor you for infection. [8] X Research source Tu Anh Vu, DMD. Dentist. Personal interview. 7 May 2020.
Swelling in the jaw and gums is often a sign of an infection, especially if you haven’t had an extraction or surgery at the site. Difficulty opening your mouth can also indicate that you have an infection. In some cases, you may find swelling in your neck or under your jaw. This is caused when an infection spreads to the lymph glands there and can be a very serious situation. See a medical professional immediately if you notice an infection in your head or neck.
Pus tastes bitter and slightly salty and also smells bad. It may be the cause if you have a bad taste in your mouth that won’t go away or bad breath. Pus can get trapped inside your body in what’s called an abscess. If the abscess breaks, you will taste a sudden rush of bitter and salty fluid. You might also feel some pain relief. Talk to your dentist or a doctor if you notice pus in your mouth. You will need to get be treated for infection.
