Expert: Joel S. Teig, DMD, Diplomate ABOMS, retired - 11/6/2009

Question
Hi Doctor,

Yesterday I had surgery on the 2 upper teeth right next to the ones in the front.  They had infections in both of them, the right side larger than the other. Yesterday, I was slightly swollen but when I woke up today my lip is very swollen and if I pick it up it looks like it was irritated because its very red on the inside. I called the office and they said that it is normal. I just wanted to make sure that it was and what should I do to make the swelling go down because today is not so much about it hurting but the discomfort of the swelling. Thank you, Yelena  

Answer
Yelena - Infected teeth when removed bleed easily.  If there is bleeding after the extractions, the bleeding can go internally and that can produce the swelling and discoloration you describe.  The best thing to do to reduce the swelling and speed the healing is to use warm salt water rinses for a couple of minutes, 4-5 times a day. In a few days the swelling will resolve and the color should resolve a little slower.