Hi sandy,
Yes, it is common to have soreness as you have described for a week or even longer after an infected tooth is extracted.
Here are a few things that are pertinent anytime an extraction is done are......
1)The periodontal ligament which is the tissue that cradles a tooth in the jawbone along with the area of infection should be removed at the same time as the tooth to aid in the healing of the jawbone
2)Since upper molars can be in close proximity to the sinus, the surgical area should be checked thoroughly after the tooth is out and the area is debrided to rule out a sinus exposure. We check this visually as well as having the patient blow through their nose while the nostrils are held closed. While the patient is blowing through their nose, if air bubbles accumulate at the site of the extraction this indicates a sinus exposure. If no bubbles are seen, then the sinus is most likely intact.
3)All extraction sites should be irrigated with saline solution after the tooth is removed and after the surgical site is debrided but prior to any suturing. The irrigation flushes out any debris that could cause infection and/or delay the healing of the site.
It is good that you have followed the post operative instructions and should continue to rinse with warm salt water for at least another two weeks. It would not behoove you to gargle or try to get water to come out your nose. The best thing to do is express your concerns and "specific" discomforts to the oral surgeon tomorrow and let him check the area for anything unusual. He may take another xray to firmly rule out the possibility of a sinus exposure.
I always tell patients to speak freely about their concerns, irrelevant of how insignificant they feel they may be or how busy the doctor may be. More times than not, a patient can prevent further complication by speaking up....... ~'.'~
Please let us know how your visit goes tomorrow!! Wish you the best of news!
Bryanna
Quote:
Originally Posted by sandy60
I had my second upper molar (tooth 2) extracted 6 days ago. The socket looks ok and I am having the stitches removed tomorrow. I have been doing a lot of reading and now fear that my sinus may have been perforated. I have intermittent pain right next to my nose about an inch above my nostril. The spot is almost on the nose itself and adjoining cheek. The cheek was a little swollen until today and maybe this is just soreness. I am 58 years old so maybe I heal slower. I went to a well known oral surgeon with an excellent reputation. He didn't say anything about a perforation and I didn't notice if he irrigated it. I was so scared that I just remember the extraction taking about 2 minutes and the stitches. I didn't ask any questions afterwards because my mouth was packed with gauze. The tooth did have an infection at he tip which he saw when he removed it.
I read that you can tell if there's a perforation by gargling and seeing if the water comes out of your nose or drinking and seeing the same. I am afraid to gargle right now as I have been so careful to do everything right, the salt water, etc. Can this just be soreness? The whole area is still sore so hopefully that's all it is but I am getting scared. Is it usual to have pain in the cheek and nose area for a week after?
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