Does your throat hurt after wisdom teeth removal?
By
Dr Shivam Jha
This blogpost will answer the question Does your throat hurt after wisdom teeth removal? And will include the following topics:Understanding the basics about wisdom teeth
Impacted wisdom teeth can become infected and cause a sore throat
Is a sore throat after wisdom tooth extractions normal?
What if the throat pain is lasting more than a few days?
Common recovery symptoms after wisdom teeth removal surgery
Symptoms that Indicate You Should Seek Medical Care
Some simple remedies for treating sore throat after wisdom tooth extraction
Does your throat hurt after wisdom teeth removal?
Yes, your throat can hurt after wisdom tooth removal. Your throat is hurting as a result of a recent wisdom teeth extraction. This is quite natural. Sore throats after wisdom tooth extractions are caused by sore and swollen muscles surrounding the surgical region, and it’s a frequent problem that affects many individuals who have one or more wisdom teeth removed.
Understanding the basics about wisdom teeth
Wisdom teeth are a normal feature of our dental anatomy. Wisdom teeth are our third and final set of molars, and unlike the rest of our teeth, they do not normally begin to erupt until we are between the ages of 17 and 25.
Despite the fact that wisdom teeth are a normal part of our oral growth, they can create major oral health issues. Many people’s jaws just don’t have enough room for their wisdom teeth to fully erupt. This is particularly true for people who have already undergone an orthodontic treatment.
Wisdom teeth may just partially erupt if there isn’t enough room for them to emerge. This is known as “impacted” wisdom teeth, which can cause many other complications
Impacted wisdom teeth can become infected and cause a sore throat
If one of your wisdom teeth fails to fully erupt, it may get infected. Because impacted wisdom teeth are partially concealed by a flap of gum tissue, food debris, germs, and plaque can easily become trapped around the tooth.
Bacteria will damage your gums and teeth over time, leading to an infection or “abscess.” This might result in a variety of uncomfortable symptoms. Because wisdom teeth are so near to the back of your mouth, a painful throat is fairly prevalent when you have one or more infected wisdom teeth.
Pain around your tooth and jaw, trouble chewing and eating without pain, swelling of the cheek and jaw, pus in your mouth, and the appearance of a foul odour or taste in your mouth are all frequent signs of an impacted wisdom tooth.
Is a sore throat after wisdom tooth extractions normal?
You don’t need to be concerned if your throat is uncomfortable following a recent wisdom teeth extraction. This is very normal. Painful throats following wisdom tooth removal are caused by sore and inflamed muscles surrounding the surgery site. This is a typical post-operative complication in many people who have had one or more wisdom teeth taken.
After your wisdom teeth have been removed, you should be free of sore throat pain within a few days, generally 2-3 days
You may also have discomfort and tightness in your jaw, as well as stiffness. Swollen face and jaw muscles are partly to blame. To help ease the pain and suffering, apply a moist hot pack to the jaw.
What if the throat pain is lasting more than a few days?
If your wisdom teeth have been extracted for more than three days and your throat is still hurting or the discomfort is becoming severe, you should call your oral surgeon. This is not normal, and you should get treatment right now.
The same is true if you have any oral pain or if you have your wisdom teeth removed. Within 2-3 days, your discomfort and pains should peak, then gradually fade until your mouth is completely healed. If you’re experiencing significant discomfort that lasts longer than 3-5 days, you should schedule an appointment with your dentist very quickly.
Common recovery symptoms after wisdom teeth removal surgery
Recovery from wisdom tooth extraction is typically an easy procedure; nevertheless, there are some symptoms to be expected, as well as others that should be taken seriously. It is crucial to remember that each person’s recovery process is unique, so you may experience some of these symptoms to differing degrees. If you have any concerns, it’s advisable to keep in touch with your dentist or healthcare professional on a regular basis. Here are some common symptoms that you can encounter following your surgery:
Pain
Any surgical operation will result in some level of discomfort. Wisdom teeth removal can be painful and unpleasant because to the many nerve endings in the region; however, the discomfort should lessen dramatically as you recover and should not last more than a few days. Throat soreness is frequent following surgery, especially if the teeth were impacted or anaesthetic was used. To make your recuperation more pleasant, you should take pain medication as suggested by your doctor.
Mild Bleeding
After the procedure, the extraction site will most likely bleed for several hours or even days, but it will become better with time. It’s essential to keep your head up as much as you can until the bleeding stops.. You should also change the gauze padding on a regular basis — at least once an hour. It is extremely important to refrain from smoking or drinking through a straw until your dentist or doctor says it is safe to do so. You should avoid strenuous activities if you want to reduce excessive blood flow.
Swelling
This is one of the most prevalent side effects following wisdom tooth extraction. The degree of swelling is typically proportional to the acuity of the surgical operation. If the teeth are impacted, for example, the surgical operation will be more intrusive, resulting in increased swelling. However, not everyone has the same degree of swelling and inflammation. Swelling is normal and can be helped with pain medications approved by your dentist as well as using ice packs on the area.
Symptoms that Indicate You Should Seek Medical Care
Taking care of oneself after surgery is crucial since it can decide whether or not you require further medical attention. It is important that you are aware of the red flags following surgery so that you can call your doctor if required. Here are a few signs to keep an eye out for:
Persistent numbness
Fainting or light-headedness
Raised body temperature for extended period of time
Persistent throat pain (past 3 days)
Torn sutures
Nausea
Increase rather than decrease in pain over course of recovery
Pain in the ear
If you have any of the above mentioned symptoms following your wisdom teeth extraction operation, it is important that you contact your medical practitioner to guarantee your health and safe recovery.
Some simple remedies for treating sore throat after wisdom tooth extraction
Salt water remedy
Gargling with salt water relieves almost every type of mouth discomfort. It has natural therapeutic characteristics that help to relieve pain and inflammation. It also has the effect of hastening the healing process and removing germs.
Dentists and physicians recommend washing the mouth with a cup of warm water and 1/2 teaspoons of salt. Because salt water is completely natural, this approach can be used as many times as necessary.
However, take care not to use too much power when spitting out the water. This might result in dry sockets in the mouth, which can lead to other problems. Be gentle when rinsing and spitting.
A cold compress or cold treats
A sore throat following oral surgery is usually caused by swelling. A cold compress or ice pack can be given to the neck to reduce swelling. It is suggested to apply 20 minutes on and then 20 minutes off till the swelling subsides. Popsicles, ice cream, and other cold delicacies can also help to alleviate discomfort and provide some sweetness to the recuperation process..
Hot tea and lots of liquids
Teas like chamomile and peppermint might help to relieve a sore throat. This might be a quick and easy treatment if you take care not to make the tea too hot. To keep the throat moistened and flush out germs, drink plenty of water and other mild, non-citrus beverages.
Lemon and honey
Lemon and honey both have anti – inflammatory and antimicrobial qualities that can help soothe a sore throat. While they are both highly useful to curing the side effects of an oral surgery, overuse might cause difficulties on the surgical site. When using these components, it’s important to keep a check on them and exercise caution..
Eat soft foods
Try to eat at regular food times, but stick to soft foods that won’t get trapped in your throat or irritate the healing wound. Yogurt, soup, and ice cream are all good for a sore throat and can even help relieve sore throat.
A few days following your tooth extraction, your throat should be ready to talk again, and your mouth should be ready to eat. While you wait, eat as much ice cream and popsicles as you can and relax your mouth! In no time, you’ll be back and ready to resume your life!
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
Can a wisdom tooth cause throat pain?
Yes,wisdom tooth can cause throat pain. Unerupted or partially erupted tooth can cause tooth infection which can lead to sore throat and hence throat pain.
Why does my throat hurt when I swallow after wisdom tooth extraction?
Wisdom tooth extraction can cause a sore throat due to the swelling up of surrounding muscles of the surgical site which can be painful and hurt when you swallow.
How long does it hurt to swallow after wisdom teeth removal?
Sore throat which happens as a result of wisdom teeth removal can take upto 3-5 days to heal completely.
What happens if I accidentally spit after wisdom teeth?
Spitting is strictly prohibited for at least 24 hours after tooth extraction. Spitting can dislodge the blood clot and lead to a painful complication, dry socket.
Will swallowing cause dry socket?
No, swallowing does not cause dry socket. It is advised to swallow all the saliva to help prevent the formation of a dry socket.
Other FAQs about Tooth Extraction that you may be interested in.
Bone spur after wisdom tooth extraction?
Is Swimming After Tooth Extraction Safe?
Why Is My Tooth Extraction Site White And Black?