There are a lot of effects to expect after tooth extraction. Tooth extraction is a dental surgery required if there is no other way to save damaged or decayed teeth. Dentists recommend the procedure to protect healthy teeth from infection. You may also experience sinus headache after wisdom tooth extraction, and that is normal. Apart from headaches, jaw pain could also occur as well as fever. If you need professional dental help, you can head to Bay Dental Studio’s clinic in Potts Point and schedule an appointment today.
Sinus Headache due to Tooth Extraction
Dentists use different tools and equipment in performing surgeries. These tools help them extra infected teeth without any problems. During the procedure, the muscles in the face and jaw tighten. This is the reason why you have a sinus headache after tooth extraction. Usually, the pressure begins from your gums and climbs up to your head. As mentioned, jaw pain could also follow. Jaw pain is more common with people who have dental fear. Why? – because their jaws are more tensed during the dental operation. In short, if you are scared of the surgery, you might experience excruciating pain afterward.
To keep yourself calm and relaxed during the procedure. You will be given an anesthetic by the dentist. If you still feel afraid, you can ask your dentist if putting you to sleep is possible.
Furthermore, you might also experience bleeding, fever, and swelling after tooth extraction. These things are usually due to fatigue, stress, tension, and workload.
Because of the effects of anesthetics, you might not feel any kind of severe pain during the surgical procedure. But once the anesthesia wears off, the pain caused by extracting teeth will start to rise.
Sinus Headache due to Infection
Patients need to follow specific aftercare procedures to ensure that the tooth will heal without complications. The treatment area could get infected if the patient did not care for it properly. If you are experiencing the following dilemmas after your tooth was extracted or after root canal treatment, call your dentist immediately:
- non stop bleeding
- jaw pain that lingers despite medication
- Severe swelling in the jaw, gums, and face
- pus discharge in the mouth
- high fever
Dealing with Sinus Headache
It’s hard to get by with a headache that gets worse every hour. Let’s admit it, doing simple tasks becomes challenging when your head is not cooperating, and you feel pain here and there. Refer to the list of home remedies for headache below:
- Get plenty of rest. Resting will not only reduce your headache, but it will also make the healing period quicker.
- Drink lots of water. Dehydration can cause your headache to get worse. As a matter of fact, it is one of the leading causes of chronic headaches. So be sure to get enough water daily.
- Take an over-the-counter pain reliever. There are some medicines that can relieve pain temporarily, such as aspirin and ibuprofen.
Aftercare Instructions
You cannot completely prevent sinus headaches and pain from occurring after wisdom tooth extractions. These are side effects that normally happen after surgery but go away on their own. However, your dentist will most likely provide you a list of instructions to ensure a comfortable and quick recovery.
Here are the things and precautions that you need to follow after tooth extraction:
- Take painkillers according to your doctor’s prescription. This will help in reducing pain and sinus headache at once.
- Your dentist will leave a gauze pad to prevent excessive bleeding. Do not remove the pad for about four hours.
- Apply ice pack on the swollen area for not more than ten minutes.
- Rest for one to two days.
- Avoid extraneous physical activities in the meantime. Do not carry heavy objects.
- Spitting, rinsing, and using a straw will be restricted for 24 hours after tooth extraction.
- On the following day, rinse with salt water.
- Avoid smoking and drinking alcoholic beverages.
- Do not lie flat on your bed. Use pillows to elevate your head.
- Continue with your oral care routine.
- Eat soft foods only.
Carbonated drinks should also be avoided after tooth extractions. Do not use a straw to prevent sucking motion that might put tension on your gums.
Soft food Diet
It’s essential to avoid putting pressure on your gums while it is still healing. To do that, you will be advised to avoid hard to chew foods. So what kind of food can you eat? Here are some suggestions:
- smoothies
- soup
- avocado
- pudding
- soft cheese
- mashed potato
- scrambled eggs
- applesauce
- yogurt
After a few days, you will eventually notice that the pain is starting to diminish. Once you are comfortable, you can gradually add semi-soft foods to your diet. Semi-soft foods include bread, vegetables, fruits, or oatmeal.
You can also talk to IDC Winston Hills’ dental team if you still have some questions about the correct diet.
References:
Reasons For Having A Headache After Tooth Extraction (https://www.pearlshinedentalclinic.com/reasons-for-having-a-headache-after-tooth-extraction/)
Why Do I Get a Headache After Dental Work? (https://pentictondentist.com/dental-news-advice/headache-after-dental-work/)
Tips for Recovering from a Tooth Extraction (https://www.healthline.com/health/tooth-extraction-aftercare)