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Original poster

What's normal after a tooth extraction?

30 replies

JollyHostess · 16/08/2021 23:26

Ended up having a tooth taken out today after an attempted root canal.

My mouth is painful and throbbing, which is to be expected.

But I have this weird sensation in my chest, not pain but sensitivity/discomfort. It feels like when you have flu and you're achy and a bit tender, but it's just in my chest. I had a few twinges of it earlier but it's more full blown now.

It's over 8 hours since the tooth extraction.

Did I swallow some analgesia maybe? Or...what else could it be?

OP posts:
Thelnebriati · 16/08/2021 23:35

I think you should phone 111 or got to A&E straight away, to be on the safe side.
I don't want to worry you, but the symptoms of heart attack are different for women, and I think you should get checked out.

LittleOverWhelmed · 16/08/2021 23:50

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ at the poster's request.

Original poster
JollyHostess · 17/08/2021 00:11

Thank you so much for replies.

It's easing off a bit. If it comes back at all I will call 911.

It was all quite stressful so there might be something in that. Maybe I was holding myself in a weird tense position.

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Original poster
JollyHostess · 17/08/2021 00:13

...sorry 111!! Not 911 😂

OP posts:
SequinsandStiIettos · 17/08/2021 00:20

In agony with mine. It broke when they tried to extract it and I am being referred to a surgeon Sad. Just dosed up on paracetomol and ibu, hoping they kick in soon. I am throbbing too. Mine was nine hours ago.
No chest issues though (and I did swallow some analgesic).
I am going back in the morning.
Hope you get some sleep - I will be up most of night I think so handhold available any time you need it. X

Original poster
JollyHostess · 17/08/2021 00:34

Thank you @SequinsandStiIettos
I just posted on your other thread 😂

Throbbing in gum has stepped up a notch so doing to take paracetamol now (alternating like you).

So sorry you have a further trauma to go through. My tooth was cracked and my dentist had a bit of a time getting the pieces out, it was very physical.

Hope you get some sleep tonight.

OP posts:
SequinsandStiIettos · 17/08/2021 00:52

Thank you. You too. I had a bit of a panic attack earlier and just sat sobbing - I don't deal with pain very well and the whole debacle just reminded me of when the epidural wore off with DC1 Grin
I think I had unrealistic expectations of modern day extraction - when I was little, it was always under gas and my wisdom one was 20 years ago. Like you said, the sheer physicality of it, I found it really traumatic even though I was numbed sufficiently and the noises too were awful. Which is why I wish I had the dentist on the other thread - that might have referred straight away rather than going through it twice. I hope you feel better soon x

MountainDweller · 17/08/2021 01:01

Solidarity - I had a lower wisdom tooth out a week ago. Same as you OP, the tooth broke and she had to drill the roots out. Very traumatic! I was in agony for the rest of the day (doubled my usual prescription pain meds) but it calmed down the next day... although I ached in some strange places! ... so hopefully you'll both feel better tomorrow. No idea re the chest issue, but don't take a chance if you continue to feel bad!

A week later my gum is still massively swollen, can't move my jaw much, only eating liquids and mashed stuff/fruit purée. No improvement since day 3 or 4. Don't have the deep bone pain that I had on day 1 though so hopefully it will go away soon. Going to try sone corsodyl in a minute!

I've had 8 ops under GA on other body parts, I'd rather repeat them all than have another tooth out!

Take it easy, hope you get some sleep.

SequinsandStiIettos · 17/08/2021 01:07

Fingers crossed for tomorrow then mountain
Thanks for posting. And you, too, OP. At least, I feel less of a freak and less alone. I do need to eat something but haven't been able to face it. Maybe some scrambled eggs in the morning.
Thanks again.

discusstin · 17/08/2021 01:11

Just joining the group hug. I am now 10 days post extraction.

Original poster
JollyHostess · 17/08/2021 01:18

Thanks to all for solidarity and hugs.

One good thing today...I decided to try listening to music while the root canal was going on. It was a really helpful distraction and I felt a bit distanced from it all. During the tooth extraction it probably blocked out some of the horrible cracking noises. I made sure it wasn't music I usually listen to though as I'll probably never want to hear it again!

I also thought the dentist would waggle it about a bit and it would just come out. Oh innocent earlier me.

OP posts:
Coachradley · 17/08/2021 01:25

Does pressing the painful area make it worse (tooth area)?. If not and you have an aching pain in the chest at the same time you will need an ambulance.

(I’m an nhs 111 health advisor)

Original poster
JollyHostess · 17/08/2021 01:44

Thanks @Coachradley I appreciate the advice. It wasn't pain exactly and is definitely easing off but any sign of it coming back I will take action.

OP posts:
Generalpost · 17/08/2021 01:46

I have had lots of teeth out. And never had a problem. Not had to take pain killers or anything. Probably jinxed myself now Confused

Original poster
JollyHostess · 18/08/2021 10:50

Back again...pain has been steadily increasing since last night and is very bad this morning.

Since this is day 3 can I assume I have dry socket?

Just off to "hold" salt water in my mouth.

Just as well I'm on annual leave this week eh? 😩

OP posts:
Thelnebriati · 18/08/2021 11:47

Can you see a red blood clot that covers the socket? If not, see the emergency dentist asap, they can clean the socket and they pack it with material that contains a numbing agent. Its honestly not as bad as the pain from dry socket.

CommanderBurnham · 18/08/2021 11:55

Ok dentist here. Chest pain is not a known consequence after tooth extraction.

Please call 111. It is likely to be something entirely unrelated.

Original poster
JollyHostess · 18/08/2021 13:59

Thank you @CommanderBurnham, much appreciated. It's an odd sensation that comes and goes.

Thanks @Thelnebriati, my dentist is off today but I know I can see them tomorrow if I need to. Looking forward to the numbing agent...sounds blissful.
Codeine is taking the edge off the pain slightly for now.

OP posts:
Original poster
JollyHostess · 18/08/2021 14:00

@Thelnebriati btw no, when I looked today, no blood clot. I have been careful so not sure if there never was one or it has dislodged somehow.

OP posts:
HelenRose1111 · 18/08/2021 14:13

Sounds like dry socket (in the tooth, not sure about the chest pain)
I had it for 10 days and the pain is excruciating, nothing eases it except the stuff they pack it with at the emergency dentist
I had to have surgery 14 days later to remove the infected root fragment they'd left in. Made more complex because I am on blood thinners which you need to skip before they will do anything that might make you bleed.
Please make an emergency dental appointment asap because dry socket will NOT get better on its own.

SequinsandStiIettos · 18/08/2021 19:06

I'm sorry jolly
I soldiered on with the meds then rang the dentist to see if he could cover mine temporarily (I am a doofus who didn't know nerves are in the roots so in my case I think it's exposed nerves from the roots being left).
I was then told...my dentist's last day was yesterday! He did not tell me that on Monday or say goodbye or anything. I am gutted and now have no dentist (I am NHS) until they find a replacement.
On the positive side, my appointment to have the rest removed, which was next week has been bumped up to Friday. I got a cancellation. They are going to cut the gum and drill the roots out?
Envy

Original poster
JollyHostess · 18/08/2021 20:52

@SequinsandStiIettos yikes, that sounds pretty grim ThanksThanksThanks
Can't believe your dentist just left without telling you!
Hope it goes well and Friday and that you feel much better afterwards. I had a similar operation once and it wasn't as bad as I thought, even afterwards. There were several people in the treatment room and they were very supportive, one held my hand at one point and kept taking my mind off it. So I hope that helps.

OP posts:
TattiePants · 18/08/2021 21:14

Agree with pp that it sounds very much like dry socket. I had a wisdom tooth out about two months ago, really straight forward extraction and I thought everything was fine. Followed the aftercare instructions but 3 days later I was in agony, had a disgusting taste in my mouth and could actually smell the infection! I called 111 at 7am on a Saturday morning and I was at the hospital 2 hours later having it cleaned out and packed with antiseptic. I have to say, the relief was immediate so fingers crossed the same for you. The dentist confirmed there was no blood clot so I don't think it had formed.

Unfortunately, the hospital packed the hole with so much dressing that some of it adhered to my gum/bone and I had to go back again and have that removed! The saga didn't end there. About a month later, my gum became really sore and a week later a bone fragment started to poke through my gum (it eventually fell out itself). Bloody teeth, I really feel for you.

SequinsandStiIettos · 19/08/2021 01:36

Bless you thanks. Am on my ibu para cocktail right now. Hope you get sorted too. Yes, my dentist scarpering is weird. My friend thinks that because it went badly on Monday, he didn't want me to feel worse and panic if I knew he was leaving the coward . In fairness, the referral has come through amazingly quickly and me getting a cancellation is fortuitous so I will try to think positively. He was so kind to me that afternoon and said he'd flag it as urgent for me. I am quite gutted to have to start over with another dentist but cannot afford private and he's moved 13 miles away, the cad! Wink

SequinsandStiIettos · 19/08/2021 01:39

Oh God tattie I am hoping not to go through further, what a nightmare. I am on prophylactic antibiotics now - I might ask on Friday for a repeat prescription, to be on the safe side.