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Original poster

Tooth Extraction help

17 replies

traygreyplay · 15/04/2022 17:16

I had a molar removed about 10 days ago - was very traumatic, had an infection, lots of bruising and pain etc. Much more on the mend now. Still got a massive cavern where the tooth was. No idea when or how I'll ever eat on that side of my mouth...

The stitches haven't fallen out yet....1 has unravelled. I can't get back to the dentist now till Tuesday but I'm hoping this is ok.

My main worry is the tooth next to the extraction feels really funny. Like it's moved from where it normally is and is sore, almost empty? It's weird. Not toothache or sensitive to heat / cold but I wouldn't bite on it as I'm sure it'll hurt.

I'm feeling quite tearful about it all. Endless dental problems currently. Can't chew on the other side as is hurts too - getting appointments is really difficult at the moment as well.

OP posts:
Original poster
traygreyplay · 16/04/2022 08:58

Bump.

Dental problems just consume your thoughts and affect your life, it's horrible.

OP posts:
CornedBeef451 · 16/04/2022 09:14

I'm sorry I don't have any advice but that does sound miserable.

I've had to have 2 molars removed as an adult. Not fun but both went smoothly and healed when they were supposed to.

Mouth pain is horrible and does make you obsess as it is so miserable.

Hope someone comes in with some advice.

MBND · 16/04/2022 09:19

Have you tried 111.NHS - they can offer help and or have a dentist ring you back. Also most A&E's have a GP out of hours service which may be able to help also. It's worth a phone call. Hope you feel better soon.

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weleasewoderick23 · 16/04/2022 09:22

The tooth next to it may be a bit bruised due to the pressure placed on it during the extraction.
Keep going with pain killers and, importantly, warm salt water mouthwashes. It'll take time and, I know it's awful at the moment, it will get better.
If still no better by Tuesday, give the practice a phone for reassurance. Hope it gets better soon!
( dental nurse here)

HelebethH · 16/04/2022 09:23

I can imagine how you feel as I also had a wisdom tooth extraction 12 days ago. (Top) I could have written your post although I did not have stitches.
My tooth next to the extraction and on the bottom as well felt exactly as you described.
If it is of any interest , Today is the first day the other teeth feel near normal. Hopefully you will feel better in the next 24 hours also.Are you gargling regularly with warm salt water? I found it did help.
Do you have an out of hours emergency dental number or failing that 111 if it doesnt improve over the weekend. Just incase the Iinfetion has not cleared.
I do hope you feel better soon.

Querty123456 · 16/04/2022 09:27

Yes when I had a wisdom tooth out the neighbouring tooth felt strange for a while. All fine now though.

NiceTwin · 16/04/2022 09:34

Are you sure you have had stitches?
It's not the packing they ask you to bite down on is it? If so, that won't help healing if it is still hanging around in your mouth.

Tooth pain is like nothing else, you have my sympathy.

Original poster
traygreyplay · 16/04/2022 09:41

Thanks all.

Definitely stitches. I didn't have packing or anything. Bar the initial gauze to bite down on.

I'm not in pain as such, just feels weird. The tooth next to it has definitely moved a bit. I'm sure of it and just feels hollow - not toothache, just really weird. The extraction was so traumatic that I'm sick with worry about ever needing dental treatment, particularly an extraction again. (They didn't do anything wrong, it was just a really difficult extraction)

OP posts:
Original poster
traygreyplay · 16/04/2022 09:43

@HelebethH

I can imagine how you feel as I also had a wisdom tooth extraction 12 days ago. (Top) I could have written your post although I did not have stitches. My tooth next to the extraction and on the bottom as well felt exactly as you described. If it is of any interest , Today is the first day the other teeth feel near normal. Hopefully you will feel better in the next 24 hours also.Are you gargling regularly with warm salt water? I found it did help. Do you have an out of hours emergency dental number or failing that 111 if it doesnt improve over the weekend. Just incase the Iinfetion has not cleared. I do hope you feel better soon.
@HelebethH thank you, that's really helped actually - knowing I'm not alone / going mad. Has the hollow type feeling lifted or just improving slowly?

From what I've read it can take weeks / months to improve (which is fine) I'm more worried that it's something worse than just trauma.

OP posts:
Original poster
traygreyplay · 16/04/2022 09:45

@weleasewoderick23

The tooth next to it may be a bit bruised due to the pressure placed on it during the extraction. Keep going with pain killers and, importantly, warm salt water mouthwashes. It'll take time and, I know it's awful at the moment, it will get better. If still no better by Tuesday, give the practice a phone for reassurance. Hope it gets better soon! ( dental nurse here)
@weleasewoderick23 thank you - really helpful. I had stopped doing the saltwater rinses yesterday which was day 11 as they said to only do it for a week anyway - should I continue anyway? Does bruising tend to last quote a long time?
OP posts:
HelebethH · 16/04/2022 13:04

@traygreyplay
I have found it has seemed less as the day has gone on. I hope the hollow feeling will be over by tomorrow. I still have a hole alghough the gum is closing but still feels bruised. No painkillers needed just aware of it.
My dentist told me it can take up to 3 months for the gum to heal completly, but after 3 weeks a the bruising should be a lot less noticeable.
It is not a nice experience though and I really hope you improve. Yours sounds a bit more traumatic than mine. Do come back and let us know how you get on.
Thinking of you

Notanotherwindow · 16/04/2022 13:50

Teeth do drift when the one next to them is removed. It will feel very bruised for a few weeks and I wouldn't chew on it until it starts to feel normal. With a difficult extraction the teeth on either side do get very bruised and sore. Its not easy to remove a tooth with no trauma to the adjacent teeth. This is normal and should settle down within 6 weeks.

The empty socket will start to fill in with new bone and tissue over the course of 3 to 6 months. Until then, you will have a large dent where the tooth was. Take care to gently flush out any food trapped in it if it is deep.

You're well past the risk of dry socket so I wouldn't worry about the stitches unravelling. Your dentist will likely remove them very soon anyway.

Original poster
traygreyplay · 16/04/2022 14:19

@Notanotherwindow

Teeth do drift when the one next to them is removed. It will feel very bruised for a few weeks and I wouldn't chew on it until it starts to feel normal. With a difficult extraction the teeth on either side do get very bruised and sore. Its not easy to remove a tooth with no trauma to the adjacent teeth. This is normal and should settle down within 6 weeks.

The empty socket will start to fill in with new bone and tissue over the course of 3 to 6 months. Until then, you will have a large dent where the tooth was. Take care to gently flush out any food trapped in it if it is deep.

You're well past the risk of dry socket so I wouldn't worry about the stitches unravelling. Your dentist will likely remove them very soon anyway.

Thank you. This is really helpful. I 'know' it's most likely bruising and trauma but my mind is running away with me. 6 weeks is decent chunk of time and I'm nowhere near that at 12 days so I'll try not to panic.

Are stitches in to help prevent dry socket? I didn't really know why they needed to put them in and forgot to ask in all the drama!

OP posts:
Notanotherwindow · 16/04/2022 14:48

They use them for very large wounds to help them knit together faster. Big molars or wisdom teeth usually. Same reason as any stitches. I don't think they prevent dry socket completely but the smaller the wound the less chance of losing the clot. I didn't have stitches for any of mine and never got dry socket. You'll be fine.

6 weeks is the outside number though. My wisdom tooth extraction had calmed down within the week. But it was an easy extraction with straight roots and out within 10 minutes. As yours was harder, it might take longer, like any bruise.

Remember teeth don't just pop out, they have to be broken out of the socket in your jawbone. That is what the dentist was doing when he was rocking it. Loosening it in the socket. Bruising is usually extensive but we just don't see it. If it was a massive purple bruise on your arm, you wouldn't question it hurting.

You might see whitish yellow gunk in it when the stitches are out, this is good so don't flush it away. It's granulation tissue intended to protect the socket while it heals.

Knittingnanny2 · 27/04/2022 07:41

How are you recovering? Came across your post as I’m holding a hot compress on my cheek 14 days after a back upper molar was removed. I went back for a check up last week and had it irrigated and packed but think I need to go back again as the pain is radiating towards my eye and nose.
please tell me it gets better!

Deedoo · 11/09/2023 08:48

@Knittingnanny2 did yours heal ok how long did it take

Deedoo · 11/09/2023 09:13

@traygreyplay how long did your pain last in the end

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