Symptoms of an Infection After Oral Surgery

All County Oral Surgeons will explain to patients that after surgery, some bleeding, swelling, and numbness are normal following oral surgery. But there are certain symptoms that are clear indicators that you may have an infection. If you experience any of the following symptoms after oral surgery, be sure to contact our office as soon as possible.

• Bleeding that is present for 24 hours or more

• Throbbing pain that is not relieved with pain medication

• Increased swelling of the face, jaw, or gums

• Oozing discharge, especially pus

• Difficulty opening the mouth

• A fever, especially a low-grade fever that either persists or increases

How Can You Prevent an Infection After Oral Surgery?

There are a number of steps that you can take to prevent infection after your oral surgery. The most basic prevention method is to follow the instructions given to you by your All County Oral Surgeon. They will tell you how to care for and clean the affected area, what you can eat or drink, what antibiotics to take, and anything else that is relevant to your specific case. The use of antibiotics will manage bacteria present in the mouth and help prevent an infection from occurring. To control normal amounts of bleeding following surgery, you will need to bite down lightly on a gauze pad for an hour. Swelling can be minimized with the use of ice packs, and rinsing gently with warm salt water will help keep the area clean. If you are experiencing signs of infection after oral surgery, be sure to contact All County Oral Surgery right away at 631.752.1033. We will work with you to address the issue while providing state of the art care, and ensure that your mouth heals fully and properly.