Bad taste
 

Hi everybody,
I had my 4 wisdom teeth removed on Monday (6 days ago) and today I have noticed a bad taste coming from the left lower side. Its coming from under the gums. I am wondering whether this is an infection or something else. I have already missed a lot of work so Im just wondering if theres any certain way to tell if its an infection or not. I have been rinsing with salt water probably about 5 times a day since the surgery, and have been eating soft foods. The side in which the taste is coming from appears to have no stitches left.

Any help is greatly appreciated. Also if I left anything out feel free to ask for more info.

Spencer

If it starts to swell and get tender , you just might have to take a trip back to the dentist ...

Hi Spencer,

If the bad taste began 6 days post op, then there could be debris in the socket which you should not try to explore and remove on your own because you would not be able to differentiate between the clot and debris. It could be that you are building up plaque and food debris near the extraction site on the adjacent teeth in which you would need to brush and floss them better. Or it could be something brewing like an infection. Did you experience any post op complications, other than this, since the surgery?

Rinsing with salt water should be done 3-4 times a day and most definitely at night as the last thing before you go to bed. Make sure you brush and floss all of your teeth and be thorough in doing that but gentle near the extraction sites.

The only sure way to know what's happening is for the oral surgeon to take a look. But if you want to give it a couple more days .... if the odor does not subside with better brushing or it worsens... or you develop swelling, pain, bleeding or sudden soreness, do not hesitate to see the oral surgeon.

Bryanna