I went back to the dentist today around noon and she said the site looks really good and like it's healing well then prescribed me some antibiotics for the swelling and just said come back if it doesn't get better in a few days.


I picked up my antibiotics and have taken them 3/4 times today so far and the swelling seems about the same. It also hurts like hell. I'm so tired of being in pain and I hate taking so much motrin, tylenol and antibiotics. ugh.

Here's hoping the antibiotics I just got prescribed takes care of whatever is causing the swelling. I'm not sure how "everything looks great!" when my cheek is swollen and hurts so bad.

I've read about post extraction infections and people having to go in for debridement and the idea of that has me in a panic after all the pain and stuff I've already been through. Not only that, but I don't know if I can even afford another procedure

Haha, all my friends and family said wisdom teeth extractions are no big deal and I would be fine in a few days! yea right!

Hi Kate,

Antibiotics take 24-48 hours to get into the blood stream and stay there. So if they are going to help, you may not notice any real improvement before 24-48 hours.

Is the dentist an oral surgeon or a general dentist?

Bryanna

Thank you for the reassurance! I'm hoping the antibiotics work.


She is a dentist. A friend recommended the place as he got his wisdoms out there and had no problems. The place seemed really nice and I didn't feel apprehensive at all going in.. Looking back though, I can't believe they didn't tell me things like - "you'll have a big hole in your gum"

I didn't even realize I'd need an oral surgeon instead of a dentist! I thought wisdom teeth extractions were a dentist thing

Hi Kate,

Oral surgery is not the same as general or restorative dentistry. Oral surgeons have 3-5 additional years of school to perform surgery. General dentists have been taught to perform basic tooth extractions. The removal of wisdom teeth is usually more than basic and it is different for every person.

General dentists are sometimes not as well informed as oral surgeon about post operative complications following the removal of wisdom teeth. So if you do not notice significant improvement after 2 days of the antibiotic, you may consider seeing an oral surgeon to evaluate the situation.

Bryanna

Hiya Kate,

I don't know if you'd still frequent these forums after a few years... but I was wondering if you ever found out why it was swollen? I've got random and new swelling 2 months after all four were removed. My dentist had a good check and x-ray and couldn't see anything wrong, so just told me to stay on anti-inflammatories and see if it goes down... I had bone chipped away at the bottom right, so she thought it perhaps wouldn't be so unusual for the bone to still be healing. That area hasn't quite finished healing up (although the other 3 have done well and quickly).

I'll go back if it hasn't in a few days but it's bizarre. I take Bryanna's point on oral surgeons and I'll try going back to them, but waiting lists are long and I'm not sure I'll be able to soon.

Thanks in advance, if you can shed any light at all!