What should I do if I have swollen tonsils and difficulty swallowing after wisdom tooth extraction?
Jun 06, 2023
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Xu Gang
Introduction
In general, swelling of the tonsils and difficulty swallowing after wisdom tooth extraction are caused by postoperative pain or wound infection. Patients can manage these symptoms through conservative management, medication, or surgical treatment under a doctor's guidance. It is recommended that patients seek timely medical attention and receive standardized treatment as directed by a healthcare professional to facilitate recovery.
Generally, swelling of the tonsils and difficulty swallowing after wisdom tooth extraction are caused by postoperative pain or wound infection. Patients can manage these symptoms under a doctor's guidance through conservative management, medication, or surgical treatment. Specific approaches are as follows:
1. Conservative Management
If the tooth socket is large after wisdom tooth extraction and requires suturing, radiating pain may occur postoperatively, leading to the aforementioned symptoms. In such cases, patients may begin rinsing the mouth 24 hours after tooth extraction. After each meal, it is important to clean the surgical site with normal saline to maintain a sterile environment. A light diet is recommended, along with increased fluid intake. Avoid forcefully sucking on the affected area.
2. Medication
If pain is significant and accompanied by swollen submandibular lymph nodes or enlarged tonsils, patients should take antibiotics as directed by a physician, such as amoxicillin capsules or roxithromycin granules, in combination with metronidazole tablets.
3. Surgical Treatment
If swelling of the tonsils and difficulty swallowing persist after wisdom tooth extraction, leading to acute tonsillitis that repeatedly flares up and causes complications, a tonsillectomy may be considered approximately two weeks after the acute inflammation has subsided, as advised by a physician.
Patients are advised to seek timely medical attention when experiencing discomfort and to undergo standardized treatment under professional guidance, which helps promote recovery.
