A question about dry socket

[SpunBodgeSquarepants]

So I had two teeth out this morning, right next to each other. And now the anaesthetic has worn off, it hurts. I'm worried about developing dry socket, I'm too scared to eat. Or drink anything in case I dislodge the blood clots! How long do I have to be careful for? Until the gum fully heals over?? Christ I hope I never have to have another tooth extracted

It will hurt for a bit, you've got an open wound in your head, along with the injection sites. Just follow the advice, dont smoke if you do and take it easy.

And don’t drink very hot tea.

I learnt that to my cost

Yes, it will potentially hurt for a few days.

Mine did it took 3 people to get the fucker out and I took as many painkillers as I was allowed to.

I did however eat and drink as normal when I felt well enough, but on the opposite side.

I had all my favourite foods too to help as I lost my appetite somewhat.

I gargled as advised with warm salty water and as I'm a non smoker that aspect didn't apply to me.

The pain is manageable at the moment with over the counter cocodamol, I've heard how bad dry socket is before though and I'm a wuss so think I will stick to soup till it all looks better! Thank you for your advice everyone

OK I'm gonna ask something here. Sorry OP, I had a tooth out a long time ago and don't remember much. I do remember being terrified of dry socket though and also this...

Years ago I had my tooth out and I kept getting chunks of what I can only describe as cheese forming on the holes. I kept picking them out with a toothpick. It was almost like getting out tonsils tones but larger.

Anyone know what these were?

I got dry socket and I can only guess it was connected to me starting to bleed heavily that evening. Hadn’t eaten or drunk anything so not a very helpful post!
The dry socket hurt but not as bad as the infections I got before the tooth was removed. Ended up taking about 2 weeks to heal

Just follow the aftercare instructions and you’ll be fine.
I had a back molar out a month ago at dental hospital, my second removal.
It was hurting so much prior to removal that when they took it out it was bloody amazing.
I had mushy ready meals, sweet & sour chicken, cottage pie etc for the first couple of days, no coffee or hot drinks. Washed with the salt water every time I ate, and both have healed up fine 😊

Something random though, my first molar I had our healed up flush with the rest of the gum, this one has left a dent. Not a biggy but found it odd!
Hope it feels better soon!

You basically can't do anything that is a sucking motion.

I got DS through whistling and breathing in!! I remember tasting blood, thinking "oh it'll be fine".... and then I was in for a fortnight of pain like I have never known.

Straws definitely out, for example, and anything that might dislodge the new scab healing over the hole.

I was told that the pain should start to subside after 3-4 days. If it doesn't, or gets worse rather than better, then see your dentist. The sooner you get it packed if you do have dry socket the less painful it is.

I don't know what dislodged my clot btw, it just happened!

I've had Dry Socket twice. The first time I revisited the dentist and he prodded the area until it bled again (!) which solved the problem within a day or two. I've since read though that this is no longer a common practice.

The second time, I didn't have time to go back to the dentist and thought I would ride it out. I have quite a high pain threshold but was taking painkillers every few hours for a good two weeks. I had googled and it said it would take two weeks for new tissue to form over the exposed bone and nerve, but I didn't really expect the pain to last for two weeks. It radiated from right along my jaw up to my ear area.

You'll know if you have it, as the pain will just not go away. However, two weeks and it will all be over, if you can manage that long! Good luck.