Tooth extraction

[PerkyOchrePeer]

I had an infected tooth. Got antibiotics tooth seemed to clear up and pain wasn't bad. I needed tooth out which I had done today. I have to say that im in worse pain than with the infection. I cannot do strenuous activities or housework or bending down or do any lifting. If I do this could cause dry socket which im terrified of getting as its very painful. I feel awful

My dentist is only available on Wednesdays and Fridays at my surgery. Im not taking any painkillers today as its a bit sore but not bad enough for painkillers so I will see the dentist in Friday. I tend to overthink things and nake mountains out of molehills

I expect you'll be fine then, anything tooth related is anxiety provoking in my experience! ( currently undergoing an implant)

I had my lower left number 7 removed a few days ago. I can't chew anything at all!

Make sure you do saltwater rinse and rest. If pain seems really bad and getting worse then go back to dentist.

I can't afford implant and even if I could, i have osteoperosis so no dentist would do it and I would rather spend the money on something else

I generally do not have pain anymore 😃 do have a bit of headache at the end of the day so thats the only time I have painkillers. The gum is still a bit sore but not much. I am going to the dentist on Friday because I am going away in 3 weeks time and I want to see how the healing is going because the last thing I want is to develop dry socket on holiday and I want to know if I can start to eat normally. I dont want to spend the holiday still eating soft food I want to be able to eat a sandwich or some toast or a burger or anything that involves chewing like a biscuit.

As for the sedation, they confirmed that the dentist meant she would refer me to a hospital as they dont do sedation. I think I was panicking so thats why I got confused and thought she was going to sedate me.

Dentist here. Follow the instructions to the letter but most important don’t swish the hot salt water vigorously round your socket just hold it in the area. Also continue with the salt water for at least a week.

Totally different condition but relevant, I had a lumpectomy a few years ago for breast cancer. It healed really well and I had no complications. When I commented to my DSis ( also a dentist) how well it had gone she said “ well you probably followed the instructions and physio to the letter because you understand how important it is”. She’s right we give the same instructions for every extraction, with some additional ones for patients with other health problems, because we know that in most cases they work.

If it says don’t smoke it’s because smoking interferes with blood supply. If it says don’t exercise it’s because it raises your blood pressure which can cause secondary bleeding. If it says don’t start using mouthwash until 24hrs after the extraction it’s because using it early can dislodge a clot.
If you take short cuts or ignore instructions then there is a higher risk of problems.

If you develop a dry socket it usually starts to hurt 3+ days after the procedure. A dry socket occurs when the clot has started to organise forming a fibrous plug that the skin cells can migrate through and form new gum over the socket, a bit like a scab. If it’s lost prematurely it leaves the bony wall of the socket exposed and it hurts like hell.
The best way to treat a dry socket is to have a dressing packed into the socket to replace the clot and cover the exposed bone. Antibiotics are pretty useless because the problem isn’t really due to infection. A dressing will work within hours, antibiotics take days. Obviously you can have both but in practice a dressing usually does the trick.

If your socket is starting to settle down but by Thursday/Friday you are experiencing increasing pain make an appointment to see your dentist. We don’t mind even if everything looks fine. We’d rather you come in before it really deteriorates.

Sorry I just read your last post. If there is a problem your dentist will pick it up. Like your dentist I tend to review patients who are going away to make sure they don’t have a problem.

Thanks. What do I do about flying and eating. I wont be able to eat the plane food or snacks abd I will have to take my own. This is annoying also im going with friendscto a cafe lunch abd the cafe does not sell any really soft foods so I will just have to sit there with a coffee or hot chocolate whilst everyone else is eating. I cannot wait until I am able to eat a roast dinner again. I had a wisdom tooth removed 10 years ago and I think I was eating normally after a week but this isn't a wisdom. Its tge tooth next to it.

@Crwysmam our if curiosity, once the socket has been packed does it then heal but still cause pain? Could you theoretically get dry socket twice in the same ‘tooth’ so to speak?

My last extraction was fine - literally ate steak three days later - but I’m a bit worried about my next one 😂 Feels like I had it too good last time

Why are you having another extraction

Sorry, but I believe you are overthinking this. I had two teeth out - not at the same time - last year and just carried on as normal. With the second one I was taking painkillers constantly for 7 days, easing off them over another couple of days, and waking up in the middle of the night with the pain. However after that it was fine and I didn't go back to the dentist, or even phone him.

I delivered meals on wheels an hour after the first extraction, and went out for lunch and dinner the following day, eating normal food, which the dentist said would be fine.

It can take a couple of weeks for things to settle down. Just keep taking painkillers and stop worrying about it.

First was due to extreme trauma (hit in the face with a lacrosse ball). And second is a wisdom tooth issue

At last, some wisdom from a dentist!! Yes my dry socket struck at day 3.second one I had both lower right back. First one wasn't so bad. Second removed by Maxfax. I broke the tooth at gum level eating a granary roll, crispy from the oven. It was a problem because of the root..I had 4 dks, multiple surgeries, major, and the pain was a whole new level. I was actually nursing over 40 years.
.

The lovely surgeon said the packing would hurt like hell, then provide relief. It was only left in a few minutes,then bliss!!! Looking back, I should have taken co codamol. I only had paracetamol and ibuprofen.
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@TheHungryHungryLandsharks, I’m not the poster you addressed and I’m not a dentist, but when I had dry socket, I had it packed multiple times. I think the purpose of the packing is to reduce pain (which it does by covering up the exposed bone)- it doesn’t necessarily speed up the healing. The wound heals eventually but repeated packing of the socket might be necessary (as it was in my case). I had mine just before Christmas a couple of years ago and I was extremely lucky that my NHS dentist was able to see me multiple times during that time period- even on Christmas Eve! Christmas dinner was a miserable experience that year though.

I've asked about flight food and taking my own food because I wont be a le to eat airline food because it will be spicy or chewy. Nobody has replied. I will have to take my own very soft bland food

I've also heard air pressure can cause dry socket especially taking off and landing

Im a Oral surgeon, if you are flying in 3 weeks, so 4 weeks after an extraction you can fly normally. You don't need to be on a soft diet at that point or avoid carrying your bag, you can eat/drink whatever you fancy.

Avoiding heavy lifting/bending is because it can cause bleeding more than dry socket, it is usually only advised to avoid in the first 48hrs post op. I wouldn't go squatting at the gym but day to day life is fine at this stage.

It sounds all absolutely normal for a molar extraction, you don't need a review after a dental extraction. Your welcome to see your dentist for reassurance but it all sounds exactly as expected.

You won't develop a dry socket weeks after an extraction. Dry sockets develop usually within 5 days. If you were going to get a dry socket socket would know by now.

Ok thanks

😁

I wish my teeth were whiter. Neither my mum or dad had white teeth so I guess ive inherited.

I had a wisdom tooth out 2 weeks ago. It pulled out bone with it, I got a huge abscess that took over half my face and needed some evil antibiotics. I still can't open my mouth properly.

Not everyone's experience is the same.

Hope you're feeling better OP

Sorry about your issue. I am. Much better now. Just the odd twinge now and agaih

The twinge is so slight sometimes I hardly feel it