What causes pain in gums after a root canal?
Patient: I had some pain in my back molar a few weeks ago. I was told I had an infection and was given a course of antibiotics and told at some point I would need a root canal or an extraction.Fast forward to five days ago, my tooth was hurting at night and I was told that the nerve was dying and would need the root canal or extraction. I chose to just take it out.  The Extraction was quick and easy and the Dentist said it should be fine. However, now five days there is slight discomfort where the tooth has been pulled. The tooth in front is quite sensitive and my jaw and cheek slightly aches. It is not horrendous pain at all, but more a dull ache. I am worried something could be wrong. On top of that I feel a little like I have the flu. Now this could be simply the fact that I was feeling run down a bit before I and the extraction and I have just picked up a common cold, but I am unsure. Is it normal to have any of the above after an extraction? Doctor: Hello, thank you for consulting with healthcaremagic. If you have infection in your tooth, it might have healed after extraction.Actually there is slight pain after extraction of molars, that is why dentist prescribes antibiotic and painkiller after the extraction. You should start with a muscle relaxant twice daily for 5 days. If it does not relieves after that also then you have to get an x - ray done of that region,  which will show you the cause of pain. Hope it will help you.