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infection after wisdom tooth extraction- advice please!

6 replies

iloveteacakes · 17/07/2010 20:12

Some background: I had my two lower wisdom teeth removed a week ago. By Sunday the right side was giving me LOTS of pain and was very swollen and when I got back to the dentist on Tuesday it was clear it had got infected (the left side is fine and healing well). The dentist removed the stitches, drained as much pus as she could from the extraction site, cleaned it and packed it. She gave me antibiotics. I went back on Thursday as I still had swelling and some periods of severe pain. The dentist basically said an infection had got in which had delayed the healing, so I have some exposed bone, similar to having a dry socket, hence the pain. She recleaned it, repacked it and said she couldn't see any pus this time.

The antibiotics run out tomorrow. I still have a little swelling- I don't think it has changed since Thursday. It still hurts and I need to take strong painkillers. Has anyone had this before and does this sound like a normal recovery from infection/ dry socket?

The dentist does not open until Tuesday now- should I phone NHS 24 to try and get more antibiotics? I am loathe to let the infection take hold again, if it is still there. It hurts!

OP posts:
xstitch · 17/07/2010 20:18

Does it hurt a lot? If yes then there is no harm calling nhs24 and speaking to one of the dental nurses.

BrightLightBrightLight · 17/07/2010 21:16

This reply has been deleted

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iloveteacakes · 17/07/2010 23:04

It doesn't hurt as much as it did but I can still feel it a lot more than the left hand side, which is healing fine. I am using the mouth washes- salt water and one from the dentist. The teeth were fine and the extractions were precautionary, to save me from trouble in the future! My main worry is that the swelling is there, which might mean the infection is still there, and that if I leave it until the dentist re-opens on Tuesday I will be back to square one...

OP posts:
arfur · 17/07/2010 23:12

Had a dry socket when I had a wisdon tooth out last year and it was hideous my friend who is exdental nurse was on hol at time (still not forgiven her) but she always recommends clove oil for that sort of thing its what is in the packing that the dentist puts in and numbs pain and is antibacterial too I think. If you have a largeish Boots or other chemist that sells natural remedies you should be able to get some there and as it is natural cannot harm you. Also dont overdo mouthwashing as will wash away newly growing tissue if too often. And keep up the painkillers - I do sympathise toothache is just awful, hope you soon feel better.

chimchar · 18/07/2010 18:47

god. sounds horrific.

i had an awful time after i had my wisdom teeth removed. i was prescribed solpadol painkillers...awesome stuff!!!

sounds like you might need some extra anti bs....or try some cordisyl mouthwash...thats good for clearing out infections. can your gp help?

hope you're better soon. you havev my sympathies.

shantishanti · 18/07/2010 19:49

Sorry to tell you this, but I had a dry socket after I had mine out and it took a good 3 weeks before I stopped taking painkillers. Salt water mouthwashes were very helpful, and when the pain was really bad to start with I was alternating taking paracetamol / ibruprofen every two hours.

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