Month post wisdom tooth extraction. Possible infection? Options?
 

Had my wisdom teeth removed a month ago. Everything seemed to be healing fine. Woke up few days ago with swelling and a hard lump on the bottom left side where I had an impacted wisdom tooth removed. Did a salt rinse (was aggressive not going to lie.) And then my cheek seemed have a small hole where yellow/white puss came out. Pushed at area with a qtip to get the puss out while continually rinsing. Was not the hole where the clot was, was more the area where they stitched my cheek back to my gums? Swelling has gone down if all but gone. Went to the oral surgeon and he did an X-ray and said there was no signs of anything. But he said he wants to open it back up and do a rinse?? Also gave me penicillin for 7 days. I asked him if it could get worse if I wait a bit before doing another surgery. He said it could. My interpretation is that this rinse is just a precaution? MY QUESTION is basically if this is necessary? Is it possible it will go away with penicillin and salt rinses? would really prefer not opening the area back up as I’m happy with eating food again and I am a smoker who does not want to go through the process again.

I'd bet anything smoking does NOT help the healing.