Skip to content
My WebMD Sign In, Sign Up
Last Reply:
Includes Expert Content
Hard swelling in cheek after wisdom teeth removal
avatar
An_245262 posted:
I had one wisdom tooth removed in the lower left side of my mouth 5 days ago. Everything seemed to be fine, all the normal swelling and pain had subsided. However, I had noticed since the second day of my wisdom tooth removal, a hard swollen ball-like shape. It is quite sensitive and very hard because when I wash my face I have to be careful not to press on it. Do you know what this could be? I tried warm water and salt but nothing has changed. I'm worried...is this an infection?

Thanks!
4 Replies |Watch This Discussion | Report This| Share this:Hard swelling in cheek after wisdom teeth removalI had one wisdom tooth removed in the lower left side of my mouth 5 days ago. Everything seemed to be fine, all the normal swelling and pain had subsided. However, I had noticed since the second day of my wisdom tooth removal, a hard swollen ball-like shape. It is quite sensitive and very hard because when I wash my face I have to be careful not to press on it. Do you know what this could be? I tried warm water and salt but nothing has changed. I'm worried...is this an infection? <br /><br />Thanks!
Reply
 
avatar
Zev Kaufman, DDS responded:
Dear An_245262:

Sorry to hear about your trouble.

This could be an infection, but if it hasn't gone away by now, you should see your oral surgeon and have this looked at.

I am sorry that this is all that I can give you, since for a proper diagnosis, an actual examination is needed.

Best of luck,
Dr. Zev Kaufman
Report This| Share this:Hard swelling in cheek after wisdom teeth removalDear An_245262:<br /><br />Sorry to hear about your trouble.<br /><br />This could be an infection, but if it hasn't gone away by now, you should see your oral surgeon and have this looked at.<br /><br />I am sorry that this is all that I can give you, since for a proper diagnosis, an actual examination is needed.<br /><br />Best of luck,<br />Dr. Zev Kaufman
Reply
 
avatar
An_246183 responded:
Hi, I just had all four of my impacted wisdom teeth removed the other day... and now I have the same thing you did... So I was hoping you could tell me what happened with you... Any info would be helpful.
Thank you.
Report This| Share this:Hard swelling in cheek after wisdom teeth removalHi, I just had all four of my impacted wisdom teeth removed the other day... and now I have the same thing you did... So I was hoping you could tell me what happened with you... Any info would be helpful.<br />Thank you.
Reply
 
avatar
An_245262 replied to An_246183's response:
My oral surgeon didn't say much about the swelling itself. He told me I didn't have an infection, so I was happy with that.

However, what I think I had after researching online was an oral hematoma. Obviously, I am not a doctor but I am pretty sure this is what I had regarding the hard swelling.

An oral hematoma can occur as a side effect of local anesthesia. The injection of the anesthesia may have hit a blood vessel and formed the oral hematoma (blood-filled swelling).

It went away, thankfully. But it took several days. The swelling and hardness started to go down maybe about 7-15 days after the surgery. It went away completely in about 3 weeks.

I also want to note that the hard swelling was in my cheek...not on the site of the actual wisdom tooth removal (but near it of course, where the injection took place).

I hope this helps you out.
Report This| Share this:Hard swelling in cheek after wisdom teeth removalMy oral surgeon didn't say much about the swelling itself. He told me I didn't have an infection, so I was happy with that.<br /><br />However, what I think I had after researching online was an oral hematoma. Obviously, I am not a doctor but I am pretty sure this is what I had regarding the hard swelling.<br /><br />An oral hematoma can occur as a side effect of local anesthesia. The injection of the anesthesia may have hit a blood vessel and formed the oral hematoma (blood-filled swelling). <br /><br />It went away, thankfully. But it took several days. The swelling and hardness started to go down maybe about 7-15 days after the surgery. It went away completely in about 3 weeks. <br /><br />I also want to note that the hard swelling was in my cheek...not on the site of the actual wisdom tooth removal (but near it of course, where the injection took place). <br /><br />I hope this helps you out.
Reply
 
avatar
tetlacuitlahuia replied to An_245262's response:
Thank you so much for your clear post and quick responses. I was relieved to see that I was not alone and there was hope. The hard swelling is in my cheek, and it hurts like heck.

I saw my surgeon today and he basically underscored everything you had said. He also said it would take me at least another week for it to start looking and feeling normal again, just as you had said.

I love it when information matches and comes from different sources. I love this site and really appreciate all your help!
Report This| Share this:Hard swelling in cheek after wisdom teeth removalThank you so much for your clear post and quick responses. I was relieved to see that I was not alone and there was hope. The hard swelling is in my cheek, and it hurts like heck. <br /><br />I saw my surgeon today and he basically underscored everything you had said. He also said it would take me at least another week for it to start looking and feeling normal again, just as you had said.<br /><br />I love it when information matches and comes from different sources. I love this site and really appreciate all your help!
Reply


Back to Top
Back to Top

Featuring Experts

Profile
Zev Kaufman, DDS Expert
For almost two decades, Dr. Zev Kaufman, has been known in the dental community as "the dentist's dentist." Graduating with honors and a...More
Profile
Gwen Cohen Brown, DDS, FAAOMP Expert
More Experts

Popular Discussions

Start a Discussion | See All

Helpful Tips

How I was cured.
How I Was Cured. By: MeWritten on April 6th, 2013 I NEVER...had a history of geographical tongue. Then suddenly, I had strange symptoms ... More
Was this Helpful?
Yes No
0 of 0 found this helpful
Post a Tip | See All

Helpful Resources

Post a Resource | See All

Related News

Related Drug Reviews

  • Drug Name User Reviews
See More

Report Problems to the
Food and Drug Administration

FDAYou are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit the FDA MedWatch website or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

For more information, visit Dr. Kaufman's website