What's normal after a tooth extraction?

[JollyHostess]

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?

Sequins that sounds awful... just having to go back after the first appointment is bad enough! Hope it goes as well as it can

Tattiepants sounds dreadful too, can't believe it's been going on so long!

Jolly I hope you don't have dry socket, how's it feeling now?

I think mine is improving. I spent a couple of days convincing myself I might have something wrong, but no bad smell or taste, healing looks ok and pain is not excruciating so fingers crossed it's ok. It's always bad by the end of the day, but less bad now than a few days ago. The swelling has gone down enough that I can see the site - it looks kind of grey where the tooth was but I think that's the tissue healing. My lower gum is still pretty sore and still can't open my mouth properly so still on the soup, mashed potatoes, yoghurt and ice cream diet

@MountainDweller
Saw my dentist today as the pain was really bad this morning. However she didn't think I had dry socket which is a good thing! She packed it with something with helped numb it for a little while. The pain is back tonight but she seemed to think it was healing ok so I guess it's just going to take longer than I though.

How many days post extraction are you? What you're describing reminds me of having my wisdom teeth out (all 4 but under GA). The recovery was slow and miserable but I had my mum looking after me in those days, bless her. No fun at all so I hope yours starts to feel much better soon.

Appreciating this supportive thread ❤️

Updating again: day 6 and still painful. The socket seems to be healing ok though. The teeth (roots) either side feel bruised.
The pain is nagging and gnawing and the pain radiates up the side of my head.

I've concluded the weird chest sensation must be a referred pain/nerve thing, still getting the odd wave.

So looking forward to being pain free.

Hi @JollyHostess glad you don't have dry socket! Sorry it's still painful though. I think that kind of extraction (where they have to drill the roots out) must be more traumatic for the gums/mouth than a simple extraction where the tooth comes out in one go.

I had two wisdom teeth out on the other side with sedation in the U.K. 15 years ago and it was more straightforward. Was still in pain - remember going to the pharmacist feeling desperate on about day 4 asking if there was anything stronger they could sell me! I agree the recovery is long - and unfortunately for you probably a molar is as bad as a wisdom tooth.

I'm on day 11 now so a week ahead of you. Definitely feeling better than I was though gums are still sore all the way down that side and now weirdly I have a sore throat! Can't be Covid as I have barely left the house - I hope! I had earache too for a while but gone now. I had an omelette yesterday and am planning fish tomorrow so just starting to move back to soft solid food. I actually started to get a strong aversion to yoghurt and soup as I'd eaten them so much!

Anyway I really hope you start to feel better soon and can take it easy in the meantime.

@SequinsandStiIettos how did it go on Friday? (Apologies if you've updated elsewhere)

Hello! I was very brave. Am giving myself a .
The surgeon gets no star because he would not give me a repeat prescription of penicillin and because he would not give me any prescription for hardcore pain relief.
Ask your normal dentist.
Can't. He's buggered off to Salford!
He? -oh - well, ask your GP then...

So, I got through.
I was warned if shrapnell went into my sinuses it would then be a hospital sedation job. He tells me he got it all out so that is good.
Pain as per Monday as soon as anaesthetic wore off.
But - possibly because he did stitch me up with dissolvable stitches - I do feel it will be healing faster than Monday and I haven't been begging for the clock to go to the sixth hour so the meds are helping take the edge off! Am allowed to salt wash now. About to dose up again for the day. Hopefully not much longer so I do not become Mel Smith addicted to nurofen, bless.
I can see why Jacko and Prince ended up hooked on painkillers now (fentanyl?)
Hope we are all doing better by mid week. Big hugs to you all XX