Alveolitis is one of the complications after tooth extraction. Pain and discomfort that continues for a while after tooth extraction is considered normal. However, it should have decreased from the second day. Pain at the extraction site 2-3 days after tooth extraction indicates the presence of alveolitis.
Alveolitis can be diagnosed based on clinical examination and history taken from the patient. An offensive odor and constant pain in the extraction socket are typical of all cases of alveolitis. In severe cases of alveolitis, patients complain of trismus, lymphadenopathy, mild fever, halitosis, and malaise.
There are many reasons for the formation of alveolitis. For example, excessive use of local anesthetics is one of them. Trauma and poor blood circulation are also counted among the causes of alveolitis. The incidence of alveolitis is high, especially since the area where the lower wisdom teeth are located is the areas with the least blood supply. Smoking and insufficient clot formation also cause alveolitis.
In the treatment of alveolitis, first of all, it is necessary to make sure that there is no root or necrotized bone fragment that cannot be fed by the periosteum in the alveolar socket. If there are, they should be removed first. Then the alveolar socket should be washed with warm saline. After washing, one of the many ready-made preparations used in the treatment of alveolitis, such as gas iodoform, zinc-oxide eugenol paste, tetracycline gelatin sponge, which has been found to protect the alveolar socket and reduce pain, is inserted into the alveolar socket.
In addition, rinsing the patient’s mouth with salt water, 1% chlorhexidine or other antiseptic mouthwashes before extraction greatly reduces the risk of alveolitis.
