What instructions should be followed after a tooth extraction?

Question

Hello doctor,

I am 22, male, and had four of my wisdom teeth removed on Friday morning, along with a cyst in the lower wisdom tooth. Both lower wisdom teeth were impacted, and the top ones were not. On the first day of the surgery, my mom gave me rice to eat without checking to see if it was ok, and I think a few pieces got lodged inside because the next day I tasted a foul taste inside my mouth.

Anyways, I went a little overboard trying to get them out, and I washed it pretty roughly with salty water and a syringe. I also used toothpaste and mouthwash on my front teeth (not in the surgical area) to get rid of the taste. Now, two days later, my lower left gum is swollen and hurts really badly.

It looks like the blood clot is still there, so I do not think it is a dry socket. Also, the bad taste is gone, so I do not think it is infected. What should be my next steps from here to ensure it heals fine? I also have not eaten much in the last two days because I have been worried about hurting my gums.

Kindly help.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I read your query and can understand your concern.

This is a common dental error seen after the simultaneous extraction of all four wisdom teeth, which can significantly disrupt the healing process. Anesthesia is administered on both sides of the jaw, leading to several potential complications.

Even if you are not experiencing a dry socket, the blood clots may take longer to dissolve. I hope you are applying ice packs to the swollen area of your cheek and using chlorhexidine mouthwash for rinsing, as it has been three days since the procedure.

I would like to assess your situation further and provide additional remedies. If you would like to discuss this with me to minimize the risk of infections, please share a picture of your swollen cheek if possible. If you have any X-rays, feel free to include them, but you can also simply chat here. You will find the 50-hour chat option convenient. Additionally, I need to adjust your antibiotic prophylaxis, and my second opinion as a surgeon is important.

I hope this information helps you.

Feel free to ask further queries.

Thank you.