When harmful bacteria enter the body and start multiplying, they can cause an infection that causes pain, swelling and redness. Any dental surgery that involves bleeding can expose you to this risk, including dental cleaning, because it opens an access to the body for bacteria. However, it is not difficult to prevent an infection after an oral procedure; good hygiene practice, taking antibiotics as a preventive measure and paying close attention to any manifestation of the characteristic signs of infection is sufficient.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Keeping the Mouth Clean
Step 1. Brush your teeth gently
Depending on the type of surgery you have undergone (e.g. oral surgery or tooth extraction), you may need to avoid brushing your teeth for a while. However, you should still keep them clean along with the oral cavity, as food particles and other residues can promote bacterial growth; therefore, follow the instructions your dentist gives you. He may suggest that you continue brushing your teeth gently to keep your mouth clean or even stop brushing for a short time.
- If you have had an extraction, you may not be able to brush your teeth, rinse, spit, or use a mouthwash on the day of surgery or within 24 hours. after this period, you can resume brushing your teeth, but avoid the area where the tooth was removed for 3 days.
- If your dentist tells you you can proceed, brush your teeth, but be especially careful in the sensitive area adjacent to the surgery and don't overdo it.
- If a tooth has been removed, you should not rinse too hard otherwise you create negative pressure which compromises the clot that is forming in the cavity.
Step 2. Alternatively, rinse with salt water
This solution is gentler for cleaning the mouth, although it does not replace the action of the toothbrush. The salt temporarily increases the pH of the mouth, creating an alkaline environment hostile to bacteria and slowing down their development; it can therefore prevent the development of infections that could instead occur in open wounds or lesions.
- Preparing a saline solution is very simple; just add half a teaspoon of salt in 250 ml of hot water.
- The day after an oral surgery procedure, such as a wisdom tooth extraction, start rinsing your mouth with saline. Rinse every 2 hours and after each meal for an approximate total of 5-6 times a day. Proceed gently, moving your tongue from cheek to cheek, being careful not to damage the extraction site. continue in this way for about a week after surgery.
- Some dentists also recommend doing irrigations after an extraction; they could provide you with a small device to use 3 days after the operation, to clean the cavity with hot water after meals and before going to bed; this procedure keeps the area clean and reduces the risk of infections.
Step 3. Avoid foods that can irritate the wound
As mentioned, infections develop when bacteria enter the blood system and multiply. The lesions in the oral cavity must heal properly and remain closed; this means that you have to pay attention to what you eat and exclude those foods that could reopen the wound, tear the sutures or irritate the cut. Follow your dentist's instructions and limit your diet if necessary.
- You may need to eat liquid or semi-liquid foods for a few days; usually, products such as apple puree, yogurt, pudding, jelly, eggs or pancakes are recommended.
- Avoid hard or crunchy foods. Foods like toast, chips, or fried shrimp can disrupt the surgical site and could reopen the sutures, causing bleeding.
Part 2 of 3: Follow Preventive Antibiotic Therapy
Step 1. Talk to your dentist
People suffering from certain diseases are at greater risk of developing dangerous infections after an operation in the oral cavity and for them a preventive or "prophylactic" antibiotic therapy may be appropriate. This is especially important for individuals who may have a heart infection, or endocarditis; in such circumstances, antibiotic therapy is required prior to the procedure. Consult your dentist to find out if you fall into this category.
- Endocarditis develops in the valves of the heart, especially when a heart defect already exists. Usually, the bacteria present in the blood system do not adhere to the walls of the heart; however, certain abnormalities cause the blood to flow turbulently, allowing bacteria to attach and proliferate.
- You can suffer from endocarditis if you have artificial heart valves, a shunt (or duct), have rheumatic heart disease, or other congenital heart defects. For people who fall into these categories, there are some oral procedures that are at risk, including extractions, dental or periodontal surgeries, the insertion of implants or prostheses that involve bleeding, and the ablation of tartar.
- Some people with joint replacements are also more likely to develop some infection around these joints. For example, if you have an artificial knee or hip, you are at an increased risk of infection after dental surgery.
Step 2. Assess the risks
In general, healthy patients are not prescribed any antibiotic therapy before or after dental surgery. Although there is a study that claims that preventative or postoperative antibiotic treatment can reduce the risk of infection, the issue is actually debated and it is believed that it can cause more harm than good. Consult your dentist to determine if you are healthy enough not to need antibiotic treatment.
- Check your medical history: do you have congenital heart defects? Have you already undergone heart surgery? If you don't remember, see your family doctor.
- Always be honest. Tell your dentist about any type of health problem you have or have had, as it may affect your entire treatment.
- Talk to your dentist to assess the risks; he should be able to give you the right advice and, if you are at risk, prescribe antibiotics.
Step 3. Follow the directions and take the correct dosage of medicines
Antibiotics are like all other drugs and must be taken with care. Follow the dentist's instructions to the letter; if you feel you need preventative care, take the prescribed dosage for as long as it is recommended.
- In the past, dentists and doctors advised people at risk to take antibiotics before and after oral surgery; nowadays, however, patients are recommended to take only one dose one hour before the procedure.
- If you are at risk, you may be taking penicillin; however, patients allergic to this drug are often prescribed amoxicillin in capsules or in liquid form. Patients who cannot swallow the medicine are given an injection.
- If you are at risk for endocarditis and have fever or other symptoms of infection after a dental procedure, see your doctor right away.
Part 3 of 3: Check for Signs of Infection
Step 1. Pay attention to aching touch and pain
Oral infection can develop in any area, from the teeth to the gums, to the jaw, tongue and palate. You must be very vigilant in the days following the surgery and try to identify any infections. Among the most obvious symptoms you can notice pain, discomfort and tenderness to the touch in the area surrounding the infection; you may also have a fever or experience throbbing pain. Discomfort may increase when the area touches or comes into contact with very hot or cold substances.
- Do you experience pain when chewing or touching the affected area? Infected tissue is typically sensitive to contact and pressure.
- Do you experience pain when you eat very hot food or drink cold drinks? When there is an infection, the area also reacts negatively to sudden changes in temperature.
- Keep in mind that in some cases, dental infections do not present any symptoms and it is therefore important to visit the dentist regularly, so that he can always keep the situation under control.
Step 2. Pay particular attention to swelling
Some types of dental procedures can cause swelling, such as wisdom tooth extraction or periodontal surgery. Usually, you can keep it under control by placing ice packs on it; however, this type of edema may subside within about 3 days. However, if it is unusual or does not go away 3 days after a rather demanding procedure, an infection that requires medical attention may have developed.
- Swelling in the jaw or gums often indicates an infection, especially if you have never had an extraction or surgery in that area. another symptom of infection is difficulty opening the mouth.
- In some cases, you may have swelling in the neck or under the jaw; in this circumstance the infection has spread to the lymph nodes and is a serious complication. If you notice a head or neck infection, see your doctor right away.
Step 3. Look out for bad breath or an unpleasant taste in your mouth
Another characteristic sign of infection is a bad taste or smell in the mouth caused by the accumulation of pus - the white blood cells that have died fighting the infection - and is an almost certain symptom of infection, which requires a medical examination as soon as possible. possible. Pus is one of the hallmarks of infection.
- Pus has a bitter and slightly salty taste, as well as a bad smell; if you have a bad taste in your mouth that does not go away or bad breath, it could be because of its presence.
- It can get trapped in the body, forming an abscess; if this breaks, you can suddenly feel a bitter, salty fluid flowing and experience some pain relief.
- If you find that you have pus in your mouth, see your dentist or doctor as you need to be treated for the infection.
