When it comes to oral surgery, the chances of infection are greater than normal dental procedures. This does not mean that the Oral Surgeon in Short Hills NJ did something wrong. On the other hand, it could be the patient’s oral hygiene or lifestyle that could have caused the infection.
Here are some things to ask the surgeon before and, possibly, after the surgery.
There is a whitish look to the wound. Could it be an infection?
Whitish areas around a surgical site do not mean there is an infection. The gingiva, following surgery, sometimes takes on a whitish color before returning to its normal pink tone. What if swelling subsided one day and returned the next? Could this be a sign of infection?
This is probably an infection. Postoperative infections occur most of the time during the first week after surgery, but occasionally there are infections that can occur up to two months postoperatively.
Is it normal to have swelling if the procedure was days ago?
If the swelling does not resolve, no matter what type of surgery was performed, it may be due to an infection. Other signs may also be present and indicate the presence of an infection such as swelling that is firm and painful to the touch, a bad taste in the mouth or a run of yellowish liquid in the wound. A bad taste in the mouth does not necessarily indicate an infection.
Most people develop bad breath during the first 2 to 3 days after surgery. If other signs are present, such as firm and painful swelling or yellowish fluid discharge, infection is probably present.
Is it problematic if a person had surgery and, on the same day, one or two sutures broke loose?
No. A good surgeon will always place a couple extra sutures because they know this exact thing may occur. The other sutures are sufficient enough to hold the wound in place. The stitches are useful mainly during the first 24 hours. If they start falling out the next day, there is no need to worry.
Contact Westfield Oral Surgery for more information.
