From this article you will learn:
- Temperature after tooth extraction
- Why does the temperature rise after tooth extraction?
- In what other cases does hyperthermia occur?
- Are fevers associated with tooth extraction dangerous for children?
- How long does the temperature last after tooth extraction?
- How to help yourself at home with a hyperthermic reaction
- When you really can’t do without a doctor
- How to prevent your temperature from rising
- What is the role of the clinic in the prevention of hyperthermic conditions?
Tooth extraction in an adult or child is stressful, an operation, and unpleasant sensations before and after the procedure. And when it seems that everything is over, the patient discovers that he has a fever. Reaction – fear, repeated stress, worries.
Heat
Hyperthermia can be a natural reaction to surgery and a sign of a pathological condition. What should a patient do and when should he urgently seek medical help?
Why does the temperature rise after tooth extraction?
Hyperthermia is a natural reaction of the body to the action of pathogenic flora and viruses. They die at elevated temperatures. And the reason for visiting the dentist is precisely the infection of the oral cavity with pathogenic flora. The doctor’s task is to identify the causes of inflammation and stop its source.
Removal of a tooth
Reasons for tooth extraction:
- ineffectiveness of conservative treatment of periodontitis;
- impassable root canals;
- mobility of the dentition in periodontal diseases;
- damage to dental canals;
- purulent processes - abscess, phlegmon.
All diseases for which tooth extraction is one of the treatment methods cause infection with pathogenic flora. It is transmitted throughout the body by hematogenous route. Therefore, during treatment, and even more so during the removal of a molar, incisor or canine tooth, the wound may become infected.
If a wisdom tooth has been extracted, it is usually accompanied by a large wound. Stitches are required. Due to the weakness of the walls of the blood vessels, a hematoma can form. Before the procedure, the surgeon must warn the patient about this.
Therefore, an increase in temperature is a normal reaction to injury. But only if hyperthermia lasts 1–2 days after surgery and does not rise above 38 degrees. If the temperature increases and additional symptoms are added, then this is a reason to consult a doctor and find out the causes of this condition.
What happens after tooth extraction? Feelings and external manifestations after tooth extraction
After tooth extraction, the patient may experience some discomfort, which usually accompanies any surgical intervention, including tooth extraction.
Pain after tooth extraction
Pain in the area of the extracted tooth. Typically, the most painful period is the first couple of hours after removal, when the effect of the anesthetic wears off. Painful sensations (minor) can be observed for several days - it is for this reason that the doctor prescribes painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs to the patient.
Swelling of the soft tissues of the face after tooth extraction
Severe swelling of the soft tissues of the face in the area of the extracted tooth or swelling of the gums. The cause of swelling is the same inflammation after injury. This most often concerns the wisdom tooth - swelling there is observed quite often due to anatomical features - this is approximately 40% of all cases. The swelling reaches its maximum on the second or third day after the operation; you should not be afraid of this. However, it is better to keep the swelling under control - if it suddenly worsens, you should urgently contact your dentist.
Pain when swallowing, difficulty opening the mouth. This often happens after the removal of wisdom teeth, which is again due to their anatomical location. Difficulties arise when opening the mouth if post-traumatic swelling spreads to the masticatory muscles. Usually the situation improves on the third or fourth day after tooth extraction . If this does not happen, and especially if the mouth opens worse and worse, you should immediately consult a doctor.
The appearance of a hematoma or bruise on the skin at the site of the extracted tooth. This often happens in patients who suffer from arterial hypertension, as well as after the removal of a wisdom tooth. Usually, swelling develops first, then it begins to subside, and a bruise appears in its place, most often yellow.
Increase in temperature after tooth extraction
Evening temperature rises to 38 degrees. By the evening after tooth extraction, the temperature is at its highest ; by the morning it is normal or slightly elevated. This is absolutely normal, as the body is signaling that it is fighting and trying to cope with the infection that has arisen. Elevated temperature in this case should be considered not as a pathology, but as a protective reaction of the body. The temperature must be monitored twice a day at the same time, for example, at eight in the morning and at eight in the evening. The results of these measurements are an indicator of the patient’s condition, for this reason you should definitely tell your doctor about them.
Feeling worse after tooth extraction
In any case, absolutely any operation for the human body is quite a serious stress. And the body responds to it with a corresponding reaction, which does not at all provide a comfortable feeling. Theoretically, it can be avoided, but in practice this is not always possible - hence the far from pleasant sensations, manifested in the form of weakness, headaches and even indigestion. It is quite difficult to immediately say which reaction is normal and which is not, therefore, regarding any new sensation or phenomenon, you should consult with the dentist who performed the tooth extraction.
At the same time, all these rather unpleasant sensations and phenomena go away in about six to ten days (two weeks in extremely severe cases), if all the doctor’s recommendations were followed and all prescribed prescriptions were followed. However, the main rule is the absence of self-medication and amateur performance, as in the case of any surgical intervention. If you follow all these rules, you can guarantee that nothing bad will happen to the patient after tooth extraction - according to practice, 99% of complications are caused either by self-medication or by failure to follow the instructions and recommendations of the dentist.
For this reason, self-medication is unacceptable; all doctor’s prescriptions should be followed exactly - in this case, the postoperative period will pass without problems. 01/17/2013 15:18
In what other cases does hyperthermia occur?
A visit to a maxillofacial surgeon and surgery is a stressful situation. The temperature can rise even against the background of emotional experiences.
Possible reasons for the increase in temperature after molar extraction:
- ARVI, acute respiratory infections, relapse of tonsillitis - intervention in the oral cavity causes a decrease in immunity. Therefore, surgery can be a provoking factor in chronic sore throats, making the patient more susceptible to pathogenic flora. Rhinorrhea, sneezing, coughing, and pain when swallowing are added to hyperthermia.
- Alveolitis is an infection of the tooth socket. After its removal, a blood clot forms in the socket.
- Its task is to prevent wound infection. If the doctor's recommendations are not followed - eating, chewing on the operated side, frequent rinsing - the clot detaches and the wound becomes infected. The result is inflammation, pus, severe pain and an increase in temperature to pyretic values.
- Mistakes by a dental surgeon when removing a tooth include excessive tissue trauma, leaving fragments and parts of the root in the socket.
If any unpleasant symptoms appear after removal of a molar, incisor or molar, you should contact an oral and maxillofacial surgeon.
Presence of fever after wisdom tooth extraction: is this normal?
An increase in temperature after wisdom tooth removal is normal.
The appearance of body temperature after extraction of the third molar is considered a characteristic reaction of the body to this type of manipulation.
Such removal is a rather complex and traumatic surgical intervention, which results in a reaction in the form of a slight increase in temperature.
Despite the high professionalism of the surgeon and the implementation of strong antiseptic measures during the removal of a wisdom tooth, the possibility of the development of bacterial flora cannot be excluded, which leads to inflammatory processes in periodontal tissues.
An increase in body temperature during such pathological processes is considered normal if:
- Its indicators do not exceed 37.8 degrees. This occurs as a result of the healing of damaged tissue and nerve structure.
- The temperature rises by the evening of the next day, but not higher than 37.5 degrees. However, in the morning her indicators should be normal.
- The high temperature lasts for a maximum of three days after tooth extraction.
- Pain on palpation should be insignificant and aching in nature.
- There is a blood clot directly in the hole.
- There is slight swelling and redness of the gums without signs of suppuration.
Important! If your body temperature rises rapidly or persists for more than 3 days, you should immediately seek qualified help from specialists. This may be a characteristic sign of a progressive infectious process.
Are fevers associated with tooth extraction dangerous for children?
Extraction of a molar, incisor or canine for children is carried out if the baby tooth interferes with the growth of the permanent one or when it is completely destroyed. But this is a simple removal, since baby teeth are not held tightly and, often, pain relief is not even required. The wound is small and does not bleed.
Fever after tooth extraction
An increase in temperature to 37–37.5 degrees is a normal reaction of the body. If the readings on the thermometer are higher, then you need to consult a dentist. If pathologies in the oral cavity are excluded, you should undergo an examination by a pediatrician.
What is recommended for pain relief and healing?
- Apply cold to the outside of your cheek - ice or frozen food will help cope with facial swelling. You should only keep the cold for the first hour or two after removal: 5 minutes each with a 5-minute break.
- If there is bleeding after tooth extraction and the bleeding does not stop (which means either the patient has hypertension or damage to a large vessel during the operation) - do not expect it to stop on its own. Measure your blood pressure. Make a tight sterile gauze swab and press firmly to the wound (it is better to use a hemostatic sponge , you can buy it at the pharmacy). If the bleeding does not stop, and weakness and headache are added to the bleeding, call a taxi to the nearest 24-hour dentist or an ambulance: doctors will put a suture on the wound, which will prevent bleeding.
- It is permissible to take a strong analgesic even before the anesthesia has completely worn off - this will help prevent pain. It is better not to abuse strong painkillers like Ketanov, which has many side effects, but if the operation was complex, you are allowed to take it (the medicine is available by prescription, so it is better to prescribe it from the dentist in advance).
- It is possible to take antiseptic baths three times a day (not rinsing! just hold in your mouth for 1 minute and spit out) with a 0.05% chlorhexidine solution . They are recommended if there was inflammation or flux at the site of the tooth, or if there are other carious cavities in the mouth that can lead to microbes entering the wound. Any antibiotics should be taken only as directed by your doctor.
How to help yourself at home with a hyperthermic reaction
After extraction of a molar, canine or incisor, the surgeon will give recommendations and explain possible reactions of the body. Therefore, the patient must follow the rules of oral care:
- Do not consume food or drinks for 2 hours after the procedure. Do not chew on the affected side of the jaw.
- Take antibiotics as prescribed by your doctor, rinse your mouth with antiseptic solutions.
- If your temperature rises, you need to monitor your condition. It is allowed to take antipyretics based on paracetamol or ibuprofen as prescribed by a doctor. For adults - in tablet form, for children - in the form of syrups in dosages according to age or suppositories at night or during daytime sleep.
- Drinking plenty of fluids and rest are recommended. The patient should be in a ventilated area. There is no need to wrap yourself up or do any thermal procedures.
What you can and cannot do after tooth extraction
If the temperature does not subside on its own or the condition worsens, you should contact a medical facility. If it rises to 39 degrees or higher, call an ambulance.
When you really can’t do without a doctor
Any hyperthermia lasting more than 3 days is a reason to consult a doctor.
Symptoms after tooth extraction
Symptoms for immediate examination by a dental surgeon:
- increased pain 1–2 days after molar extraction;
- swelling of the gums, cheeks;
- gum hyperemia;
- discharge of blood and pus from the wound cavity;
- bad breath;
- enlarged lymph nodes under the lower jaw, behind the ears.
The dentist will conduct an examination. According to indications - cleaning and washing the wound, removing tooth fragments or roots, applying antibacterial drugs to the wound, suturing the wound.
After cleaning the wound, the inflammation subsides and the temperature drops. The doctor will prescribe additional treatment - a visit to wash the wound and apply antibacterial dressings, take antibiotics, rinse with antiseptics.
When you need the help of specialists
If you experience additional symptoms listed in the list, be sure to consult a doctor!
The main indications for visiting a dental clinic in order to receive qualified medical care is the manifestation of additional symptoms. Among them, experts highlight:
- A rapid increase in body temperature that exceeds 39 degrees.
- Maintaining temperature for more than 3 days.
- The appearance of an unpleasant odor from the mouth.
- Increased pain syndrome.
- Increased swelling and redness of the soft periodontal tissues.
- Swelling of the cheek.
- Inflammation of the lymph nodes on the side of tooth extraction.
- The appearance of purulent exudate in the area of wisdom tooth extraction.
- General deterioration in health.
- There is bleeding of the gums in the area of the surgical intervention.
As a rule, the manifestation of such signs indicates the development of complications after extraction of the third molar. An increase in their intensity indicates the progression of a pathological process that can lead to infection of the entire body.
How to prevent your temperature from rising
- After extraction of a molar, incisor or molar, the doctor’s recommendations should be followed. How to behave as a patient:
- do not eat or drink for the first 2 hours;
- do not chew on the affected part of the jaw;
- do not smoke – preferably for several days and definitely on the first day after the procedure;
- do not rinse your mouth without a doctor’s prescription - this helps wash out the blood clot;
- Until recovery, refrain from visiting public places - baths, saunas, procedures with a cosmetologist;
- do not touch the wound with your fingers or a toothbrush;
- take prescribed antibiotics, anti-inflammatory drugs;
- come for examination at the appointed time;
- do not heat or rinse your mouth with alcohol-containing preparations, vodka, or alcohol.
A day or two after removal, the doctor will prescribe baths with antibacterial drugs. The liquid should be collected and held, but not rinsed.
What is the role of the clinic in the prevention of hyperthermic conditions?
The clinic’s task is to create all conditions for the patient’s recovery and prevent the development of complications. What is required for this:
- The operation is performed under aseptic conditions by an experienced doctor in compliance with all standards and treatment protocols.
- The surgeon must explain to the patient the sequence of his actions, the rules of behavior after removing an incisor, molar or canine. Prescribe treatment and conduct follow-up examinations. If necessary, adjustment of prescriptions.
- If complications develop, provide high-quality and timely medical care.
Recovery after surgery depends on the quality of the surgeon’s work and the patient’s compliance with his recommendations. Hyperthermia after tooth extraction is a normal reaction of the body. You shouldn't be afraid of her. If the temperature has risen above pyretic values - from 38 degrees and above, then you need to urgently contact the clinic for examination and treatment correction.