Hi all,
I'm prepared to be told that this is all entirely normal and I simply need to pony up and deal with it, but I would appreciate some advice, especially if there are any dentists around.
Last Monday I had my bottom left wisdom tooth, which was impacted, removed under IV sedation. I felt pretty terrible on Monday but was back at work on Tuesday. I also managed to go for a run on Thursday and Saturday, and I cycled to and from work today, so I am clearly not quite at death's door.
I was taking 600mg ibuprofen every five hours until yesterday evening, but I have now stopped this because the painkillers were making me feel nauseous and sore in the stomach.
My gum seems to be healing fairly well - there is still a visible hole where the tooth was, but this is closing (the gum has sort of folded over on top of itself) - and it isn't swollen, although it's tender where it was stitched. I have been rinsing with warm salt water after meals to keep it clean.
My jaw is extremely sore and stiff, and the glands in my neck are slightly swollen and tender. I have also been feeling 'rough' - tired, badly coordinated and a bit shivery. I also have a faint bad taste in my mouth.
I don't think I've got dry socket because I'd be writhing around in too much pain to type, but is it possible that I've got some sort of infection in my jaw, or is it normal to feel like this a week after extraction? I've never had dental surgery before, so I have no idea!
I am wondering whether or not to contact the hospital (I had the tooth removed at King's in London), but I won't waste their time if this is par for the course.
Sorry this is so long, advice gratefully received!