How do i know if i have an infection in my mouth?

I just had a wisdom tooth pulled last Saturday, and its still giving me trouble today. Very sore, and I still can't chew on the left side. I think it may be infected, but I've never had problems with my teeth before so I don't know what to look for or...

anything. I can't describe the feeling in the back of my mouth that I get when I move my jaw. Can anyone help me?

Better go in and check that it isn't a dry socket...they are very painful. The dentist will pack it, and the pain will go away...

p

I agree with phrannie but you shouldn't already be trying to chew on that side. Give it at least a week. Ouch! I hope it gets better.

It's only been 4 days- the dentists usually tell you it will be sore for at least a week. Don't want to put you off but my mum had to have hers out and she was in agony for a month. Wait a few days and if it's still there go and see the dentist.

Ways to minimize pain;
-Nurofen or a strong painkiller- only take what it says though
-Wear a scarf covering the mouth- minimises the air getting to the wound
-Put a hot water bottle on your face. NOT boiling- wait for it too cool.

well, when I got my wisdom teeth pulled out 5 years ago, I was sore for the first two days then it nearly went away...so you may have a dry socket...did you eat solid foods?...because I only had yogurt and water I think..

If you have an infection where you got your wisdom teeth pulled the extraction site where you have stitches will be red and you will have puss. Racinchic You commented and said you shouldnt be chewing anything for atleast a week. That is not true at all, don't say things when you don't even know what your talking about yourself. I just had my wisdom teeth taken out 2 days ago, my surgeon said I shouldnt chew anything for the first day or two, but I could eat whatever I could HANDLE after that. I have been eating apple sauce,mashed potatoes,noodles,yogurt,ice cream,soup.I actually had spaghetti last night I just chopped it up in very small pieces. Of course I let everything that was hot cool before I ate it,you dont want to eat it hot. I am still very swollen on my right side of my mouth due to my lower right tooth being deep in the gums and they had to really dig it out, but no infection. As long as you take your amoxicillin or whatever antibiotic your surgeon prescribed for you to take, and you rinse your mouth with warm water and 1/2 a tsp. of salt after everytime you eat, drink a lot of liquids especially water,you should be fine. Try to have ice on your face as much as possible, this will help with the swelling. Whatever you do, DO NOT put heat on your face, this will enhance infection HEAT=infection. For example, when you have a temp. it usually means you have an infection.

Also, I dont think you would have a dry socket unless you have been drinking through a straw, smoking, vigorously rinsing your mouth out,or doing something to where it could loosen the blood clot somehow. You have to remember, you have had your teeth removed that werent even fully out of your gums yet, and then stitched back up- you will be swollen and you will be in pain for awhile. I am too =( And trust me, I have been right on schedule taking my vicodin and amoxicillin. Dont take it a minute late. lol. I am ready for this to be over!