How much pain/soreness is normal following a tooth extraction?

[OuchyStinkyTooth]

Had front upper molar extracted last Thursday and feel like it's almost worse now than it was the day after. Not the top of the socket where you'd expect but at the sides if that makes any sense? Also the roof of my mouth where the anaesthetic was injected feels really hot and sore 😫. I'm probably just being a giant baby but I thought I actually had quite a high pain threshold - maybe not?! Have been rinsing with salt water and it stings like a mofo. Id say the injection areas hurt the most though.

So, wise MNers, is this normal? Am I a wimp?

Dentist said if it got infected I'd know. Not sure it's that bad but I'm fed up all the same 😕

You're probably going to get a killer ulcer where the injection went in. It happens with some dentists. I think its the ones who squirt the anesthetic in your gum before injecting it. The aching at the sides is normal, you've had a tooth literally broken out of it's socket. It'll ache for a few days.

I had a tooth out in November and had virtually no pain after so I’d go back and get it checked. Mine was stitched though so I think that makes dry socket less likely.

Sounds like a potential infection if it’s hot and sore. Are you taking anything for inflammation?

I’ve only had pain following an extraction when I had dry socket.

I had a molar removed recently. I’m afraid it got worse a few days after the extraction, but my dentist warned me of this. It took a good ten days to be back to anything like normal and more like two weeks before it was totally normal!

Those injections are the devil's invention. Are you using salt water to speed up healing.

I've had pain with all my extractions, and dry sockets with my wisdom extractions. I had an infection once and there was no missing it, the smell and taste was incredibly foul. I'll never forgot it. I woke up several times an hour with a mouth of puss that I had to spit out. All of them have healed themselves within 2 weeks.

@emanresu24 gosh that sounds horrid. Guessing that's what the dentist meant when he said I'd know! Based on that I definitely don't have an infection.

@theresapossuminthekitchen ah, sounds like this may be normal then. Wish my dentist had warned me!

@justasking111 yes but probably need to do it more regularly. It stings which is probably a good thing but it's annoying me more!