Wisdom tooth extraction is a common oral surgery to solve wisdom tooth problems. However, many people are surprised to find after the operation that in addition to the pain at the oral wound site, even the throat is affected. Swallowing saliva and eating are extremely painful. Why does the throat hurt when the surgical site is in the mouth? Next, we will delve into the various reasons behind this phenomenon to help everyone better understand the physical reactions after wisdom tooth extraction and provide a scientific basis for postoperative care.
The “Pulling One Hair Affects the Whole Body” of Anatomical Structures
The anatomical structures of the oral cavity and throat are closely connected, which is an important fundamental cause of throat pain after wisdom tooth extraction. Wisdom teeth are located at the innermost part of the mouth, close to the pharynx. When wisdom teeth are extracted, the trauma and inflammatory response in the surgical area can spread to the surrounding tissues. The throat and the oral cavity are connected through the pharynx. Trauma and stimulation in the oral cavity can easily affect the throat area through this passage.
During the process of extracting wisdom teeth, doctors need to use tools to separate and remove the wisdom teeth from the alveolar bone. This operation can cause damage to the surrounding tissues such as the gums, alveolar bone, and muscles. The soft tissues around wisdom teeth, such as the medial pterygium muscles and the supraspinatus muscles, have a certain continuity and correlation with the muscle tissues in the pharynx. When the muscle tissues in these oral cavities become inflamed and swollen due to surgical trauma, it will stimulate the surrounding nerve endings. These nerve endings interweave with each other, and some nerve fibers extend to the throat area, transmitting pain signals to the throat and thereby causing the sensation of throat pain.
In addition, the blood vessels in the mouth and throat are also interconnected. After wisdom teeth are extracted, a blood clot will form at the wound site, and at the same time, an inflammatory response will occur locally, leading to vascular dilation and increased permeability. Blood and inflammatory exudates can accumulate in the mouth. These substances may irritate the pharyngeal mucosa along the passage between the mouth and the throat, causing discomfort and pain in the throat.
The “Diffusion Effect” of Postoperative Inflammation
Extracting wisdom teeth can cause wounds, and once the wounds form, they provide a breeding ground for bacteria. The oral cavity itself is a bacterial environment. The presence of postoperative wounds makes it easier for bacteria to invade the interior of tissues and trigger inflammatory responses. The inflammatory response is not only confined to the local area of the tooth extraction wound, but also gradually spreads through the Spaces of the surrounding tissues and the lymphatic circulation.
When inflammation spreads from the tooth extraction wound to the surrounding area, it will affect the adjacent pharyngeal tissue. The mucosa of the pharynx is relatively fragile and sensitive to inflammatory stimulation. The release of inflammatory factors can lead to congestion and edema of the pharyngeal mucosa, thereby causing sore throat. Meanwhile, inflammation can also stimulate the nerves in the pharynx, further intensifying the sensation of pain.
In addition, after the operation, the body’s immune system will respond to the inflammation at the wound site. Immune cells such as white blood cells will gather around the wound and release various cytokines. These cytokines, in addition to participating in inflammatory responses and tissue repair, also travel through the bloodstream to the throat area, triggering local inflammatory responses in the throat and exacerbating throat pain.
The “Extra Burden” of Swallowing Actions
After having wisdom teeth extracted, due to the pain from the wound, many people will unconsciously change the way and force of swallowing. Under normal circumstances, the swallowing action is a coordinated and smooth process. However, after surgery, in order to relieve the pain of the oral wound, people may overly contract the muscles of the neck and throat, attempting to complete the swallowing action quickly to avoid excessive contact between food or saliva and the wound.
This abnormal way of swallowing will impose additional pressure and burden on the muscles in the throat area, leading to muscle fatigue and spasms. The spasm of the throat muscles can further stimulate the surrounding nerves, causing pain. Moreover, frequent abnormal swallowing movements will constantly rub against the already inflamed pharyngeal mucosa, aggravating the pain symptoms in the throat.
In addition, the blood clot at the postoperative wound site needs a certain period of time to stabilize to promote healing. However, swallowing actions may have an impact on blood clots in the mouth, causing them to loosen or even fall off. Once the blood clot falls off and the wound is exposed, it will not only cause the pain to intensify, but also increase the risk of bleeding and infection, further aggravating the degree of throat pain.
“Chain Reaction” Caused by Limited Mouth Opening
After wisdom tooth extraction, due to reasons such as wound pain, inflammation and swelling, many patients will experience varying degrees of restricted mouth opening. Under normal circumstances, our mouths can open and close freely to complete daily activities such as eating and speaking. However, the restricted opening of the mouth after the operation will affect the normal functions of the oral cavity and throat.
When opening the mouth is restricted, secretions in the oral cavity, such as saliva and the decomposition products of blood clots, cannot be discharged smoothly as usual. These secretions can accumulate in the mouth and even flow back to the throat, irritating the throat mucosa and causing throat pain. Moreover, restricted mouth opening can also affect a patient’s ability to clean their mouth, deteriorating oral hygiene and making it easier for bacteria to breed. This further aggravates the inflammatory response, thereby intensifying throat pain.
In addition, limited mouth opening will cause patients to rely more on oral breathing when breathing rather than normal nasal breathing. When breathing through the mouth, air directly enters the throat. Without the nasal cavity’s ability to moisten, filter and warm the air, the throat mucosa will become dry and its resistance will decline. Dry throat mucosa is more prone to irritation and infection, thereby causing throat pain.
Other possible factors
In addition to the main reasons mentioned above, there are also some other factors that may cause throat pain after wisdom tooth extraction. For example, the patient’s own physical condition and individual differences. If a patient already suffers from chronic pharyngitis, tonsillitis or other throat diseases, the inflammatory response triggered by the surgical trauma after wisdom tooth extraction may induce or aggravate the original throat diseases, making the throat pain more obvious.
In addition, the anesthesia method and the surgical operation process may also have an impact on sore throat. In wisdom tooth extraction surgery, the commonly used anesthesia methods include local infiltration anesthesia and block anesthesia. If the injection site of anesthetic drugs is inappropriate or damage is caused to the surrounding tissues during the injection process, it may also cause pain in the throat. In addition, prolonged operation time and overly rough operation will increase the degree of damage to the surrounding tissues, thereby increasing the occurrence rate and severity of sore throat.
Psychological factors should not be ignored either. The wisdom tooth extraction surgery itself may cause certain psychological pressure and tension to the patient, and the postoperative pain and discomfort will further aggravate this negative emotion. Psychological stress and tension can affect the neuroendocrine system of the human body, causing changes in hormone levels within the body, thereby influencing the perception and tolerance of pain. Patients may feel that their throat pain is more severe than it actually is. The pain amplification effect caused by this psychological factor will also, to a certain extent, intensify the subjective perception of throat pain.
Methods to Relieve Sore Throat
Having understood the causes of throat pain after wisdom tooth extraction, we can take some targeted measures to relieve the pain. It is crucial to maintain oral hygiene after the operation. 24 hours after the operation, you can gently rinse your mouth with warm salt water or the mouthwash recommended by the doctor several times a day. Warm salt water has certain antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects. Mouthwash can more effectively inhibit the growth of oral bacteria, reduce the risk of inflammation spreading to the throat, and thereby relieve throat pain.
In terms of diet, after the operation, soft and easily digestible foods should be chosen, and spicy and irritating foods should be avoided to prevent irritation to the oral and throat wounds. At the same time, pay attention to the temperature of the food. It should not be too hot or too cold. Food with a moderate temperature can reduce the irritation to the wound and throat. Increasing water intake appropriately, drinking more warm boiled water, and keeping the throat mucosa moist can help relieve throat pain and dryness.
For throat pain caused by swallowing actions, one can try to change the way of swallowing. Try to perform the swallowing action slowly and gently, and avoid excessive contraction of the muscles in the neck and throat. You can also hold a small amount of saliva in your mouth before swallowing to fully moisten your throat, and then swallow. This can reduce the friction and pain during swallowing.
If the sore throat is severe, you can take some painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs under the guidance of a doctor. Pain-relieving drugs can relieve pain symptoms and reduce the suffering of patients. Anti-inflammatory drugs can control the inflammatory response and promote the recovery of wounds and the throat area. However, it is important to strictly follow the doctor’s advice on medication and avoid increasing or decreasing the dosage on your own or abusing the drug.
In addition, proper rest and relaxation can also help relieve sore throat. Adequate sleep can promote physical recovery and reduce inflammatory responses. At the same time, relaxing the mood and reducing psychological pressure by listening to music, watching movies and other means can also alleviate the pain amplification effect caused by psychological factors to a certain extent.
Conclusion
Throat pain after wisdom tooth extraction is the result of the combined effect of multiple factors. After understanding these reasons, we can take scientific and reasonable care measures after the operation to relieve pain symptoms and promote physical recovery. If a sore throat persists for a long time, the symptoms are severe, or is accompanied by abnormal conditions such as fever and breathing difficulties, one should seek medical attention promptly for further examination and treatment to ensure good health.
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