Every wisdom tooth extraction in Los Angeles is a significant surgical procedure that has normal and predictable lingering effects during recovery. Pain and discomfort after surgery and during recovery do not mean there is a problem or complication. It’s natural and should not alarm you. If you ever experience symptoms or sensations during your recovery that you were not told to expect or that concern you, don’t hesitate to contact a periodontist near you. Here, though, is an outline of some of the post-surgery things to be aware of following wisdom teeth extraction.
Pain
You won’t experience any pain while undergoing a tooth extraction near you, but may experience some pain during recovery. The pain can be managed by taking over-the-counter pain medications such as Tylenol, Motrin, Advil or Aleve, but be sure to follow the label’s instructions and your surgeon’s directions precisely.
Prescription pain medications are available to help with significant or extreme pain, but that is not usually necessary. If you have any allergies or past negative experiences with any pain medication, be sure your dentist knows before your procedure.
Numbness
In the hours after your surgery, you may feel some lingering but temporary numbness in the area of your tongue, lips, and even your chin. While that numbness is present, it’s important to be extremely careful while biting and chewing. You may accidentally bite yourself!
Elevated temperature
The presence of a mild fever is a normal and natural part of your body’s recovery process. There is no need to be concerned about a mildly elevated temperature in the hours after surgery. You can take Tylenol or Ibuprofen as directed to help reduce your fever. Having said that, if the elevated temperature persists for more than a day, contact your periodontist in Los Angeles to ensure that no infection is present.
Sore throat
Many patients who have undergone wisdom tooth extraction report a sore throat or some pain while swallowing after surgery. Those symptoms are normal and common, in part due to the natural swelling of your muscles during surgery. That swelling can sometimes cause some discomfort while swallowing as well as some stiffness in your jaw muscles. That soreness and stiffness should dissipate within a day or two of the procedure.
Symptoms affecting your ears
The first four symptoms we’ve mentioned above probably haven’t surprised you. This one might be a little different, but it’ll make sense when you think about it. After undergoing a wisdom tooth extraction, you may experience some pain and swelling in your ears. The extraction of teeth from the inside of your jaw causes swelling not just in the jaw but in the muscles attached to it that is, in turn, attached to other muscles and tissues in your face. Very predictably, wisdom tooth extraction causes swelling and stiffness in the muscles of and around your jaw, mouth, and throat that places pressure on other areas of your head — including your ears. As the swelling and soreness of the muscles around your jaw, mouth and throat with time, the ear pain will also dissipate.
None of the symptoms described above require you to contact your periodontist in Los Angeles during your recovery period. Having said that, there is absolutely nothing wrong with contacting your surgeon whenever you’re concerned. Your dentist will want to hear from you any time you experience symptoms that the staff at your dental clinic did not warn you about and prepare you for, or if your symptoms increase or worsen rather than ease and improve over time as you recover.
No comments:
Post a Comment