Hi,
I am 48, had two wisdom teeth on left side removed. They said I had a small infection in around my teeth, otherwise my teeth are in decent shape.
About a week or two after the surgery this large lump in my lower jaw persisted and grew more painfull. They put me on a second round of antibiotics. That did not help. I went back, they opened up the area and cleaned it and put me on more antibiotics. I have one more day on antibiotics. The lump is smaller. It’s 10 days later and the pain is very little though that area is still a little tender. I don’t think opening it up again will help.
uggestion? Thankyou.
David in Tennessee
Dear David,
I wouldn’t think you’d need the area opened up again, but of course, I can’t see it for myself so I can’t give you a definitive answer. But it looks like everything else is working and you just need a little more antibiotics. But I would for sure let your dentist know that you haven’t completely healed from your infection yet and you need more antibiotics. Your symptoms should be gone for about three days or you should keep taking the antibiotics to avoid a relapse.
If you’ve killed off most, but not all, of your infection, you are at risk of the infection coming back. And when it comes the second time, it is harder to get rid of it because the bacteria have started to develop a resistance to the antibiotic.
And another comment about your situation. You’re one of many illustrations as to why you should get your wisdom teeth out when you’re young. Complications are rare when the patient is 25 or younger and has his or her wisdom teeth out, and they increase exponentially as you get into your 40s and beyond. Usually, when wisdom teeth get infected, it’s because there was never enough space for them to fully erupt, and this is something that is easily predicted when you are around 20.
– Dr. Hall
About David A. Hall
Dr. David A. Hall was one of the first 40 accredited cosmetic dentists in the world. He practiced cosmetic dentistry in Iowa, and in 1990 earned his accreditation with the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry. He is now president of Infinity Dental Web, a company in Mesa, Arizona that does advanced internet marketing for dentists.