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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

Does this look like a dry socket?

22 replies

Corder40 · 19/08/2023 12:59

I had my extraction done wondering if this looks like a dry socket I think they messed up a nerve in there

OP posts:

RobinHumphries · 19/08/2023 13:01

Looks fine

Original poster

Corder40 · 19/08/2023 13:04

It hurts

OP posts:

Autumnismyfavouritetime · 19/08/2023 13:05

I’ve been ‘lucky’ enough to have dry socket twice!!
The white bit is usually absent in dry socket and believe me, you would 100% know if you have dry socket. I would rather have my dc again (100 times over) than go through the pain of dry socket ever again!

RobinHumphries · 19/08/2023 13:06

You’ve had a tooth taken out of course it’s going to hurt

Autumnismyfavouritetime · 19/08/2023 13:06

Dry socket doesn’t hurt, it literally feels like you want to rip your head off. I’ve never known pain like it. It’s the worst nerve pain I have ever felt.

Original poster

Corder40 · 19/08/2023 13:06

It does it hurts, and I think they messed up a nerve because my cheek feels numb. It tightens up when I open it my cheek

OP posts:

Autumnismyfavouritetime · 19/08/2023 13:07

That will probably be from the bruising.

RobinHumphries · 19/08/2023 13:08

Agree your cheek is probably bruised- if the nerve was damaged taking the tooth out it wouldn’t be the cheek that was affected

EilonwyWithRedGoldHair · 19/08/2023 13:10

Having had an extraction recently, that's what mine looked like. And it hurt for 5 or 6 days - as in alternating ibuprofen and paracetamol and making the last dose of the day ibuprofen with codeine level hurting.

Blanketpolicy · 19/08/2023 13:16

I had an extraction earlier this year and it hurt like hell for 4-5 days. I couldn't lie down at all or it got worse so couldn't sleep for 2 days. Even if I tried to sleep propped up it was worse, but when I stood up I got some relief.

They did say to gently salt rinse with warm water after the first day and I ignored that until I got desperate and it surprisingly did help a bit.

I ended up with antibiotics, and the next day I was ok, but I don't think the antibs would have worked that quick, think it was just healing by that point and maybe the salt rinses.

Hope it feels better soon.

MPY24 · 19/08/2023 13:20

Dry socket is agony. It's also not related to nerve damage. Plus it looks fine in that picture. You don't have dry socket. It's very unlikely a damaged nerve is causing cheek issues as the nerves in your lower jaw don't affect the cheek. In rare cases when people have a 3rd molar removed (wisdom tooth) and the roots are close to the tooth you can get nerve damage which results in a numb lower lip or tongue. Not the cheek. Besides you've had a 1st molar removed not a 3rd molar so it's unlikely. If it was a difficult extraction then it's likely bruising. As a previous poster said do gentle warm salt water mouth rinses. If you get swelling or significant pain contact the dentist again.

RobinHumphries · 19/08/2023 15:55

Also from the appearance of your tongue and the staining on the teeth I would be suspicious that you are a smoker which won’t be helping the healing

EhrlicheFrau · 19/08/2023 16:21

Some pain after extractions is normal, as is bruising and discomfort.
My understanding is that dry socket is on a completely different level of pain, from reading up on it (a fair bit as I have had 3 wisdom teeth extracted and the odd other extraction along the way too!) - as others have said, you would definitely know about it if you did have that. I hope the pain eases soon, OTC med ibuprofen and/or paracetamol, according to dosage instructions on packaging and resting up as much as you can should help. Tooth roots are very long and it's not uncommon for a bit of effort being needed to pull teeth, hence the bruising, irritated nerves, general soreness!

cinnamonfrenchtoast · 19/08/2023 16:23

You'd know if you had dry socket

It's normal to have some pain and numbness after an extraction - just follow the aftercare instructions and keep on top of the painkillers.

Original poster

Corder40 · 20/08/2023 16:27

You guys sure this is not dry socket it hurts

OP posts:

storypushers · 20/08/2023 16:30

Do you smoke? That is literally the worse thing to do after an extraction!

cinnamonfrenchtoast · 20/08/2023 16:32

If you're worried you need to see your dentist - nobody can diagnose you based on your photos.

Gatekeeper · 20/08/2023 16:40

...and give up the tabs.

Jifmicroliquid · 20/08/2023 16:44

Dry socket is the weirdest deep bone pain and the hole looks black and well, hole-like.

Tumbleweed101 · 20/08/2023 17:31

See a dentist if you are worried but I'd also say no to it being dry socket. I had the grey/white bit when mine was healing. It is the bit that heals to form the new gum over the hole left by the roots.

I got a lot of weird sharp shooting pains when my tooth first got removed and it was sore and bruised. Just be careful not to dislodge the white bit otherwise it can lead to dry socket.

Frabbits · 20/08/2023 17:38

If you had dry socket you would know about it. It's not just a bit sore, it's literally bouncing off the ceiling want your hand chopped off to distract you painful.

Getting teeth out hurts, but if it's just a bit sore and managable with painkillers etc it's not dry socket.

That said, if you are concerned then call your dentist.

WiddlinDiddlin · 20/08/2023 18:07

Honestly, a dry socket feels like you'd seriously consider topping yourself, or smashing your head against a wall til you pass out.

I have had broken limbs, been hit by a car, gallbladder pain... all of which were less horrific than a dry socket.

Speak to your dentist, if it IS a dry socket they can pack it with something to numb the pain and protect it, but that doesn't look like a dry socket to me.

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