Pain after wisdom tooth removal- is this 'normal'?

[Bouncearound]

I had an impacted wisdom tooth removed last Tuesday. It was a bit tricky to remove but it all went smoothly. It was excruciating for 24 hours then gradually eased off but since yesterday lunch time the pain has come back and is slowly worsening. I can't eat properly or open my jaw fully and my face is still swollen and visibly bruised. I have a slightly weird taste in my mouth but that has been there since it was removed and hasn't worsened. Today I feel a bit lightheaded and dizzy but this could be completely unrelated!

Any ideas on what to do? Is this just normal healing, do I contact the hospital tonight or wait until tomorrow morning? I'm taking painkillers regularly and they're helping but not totally removing the pain.
Any suggestions appreciated... currently waiting for latest pain relief to kick in and feeling sorry for myself!

[GlitterGlue]

Give them a call in case it's a dry socket, but some pain and swelling is normal. I couldn't open my mouth fully for several weeks, and my face was quite bruised.

If the pain relief is helping you're probably ok to wait until the morning. To be honest, even if you call tonight they'll probably only book you in for tomorrow if it's not an emergency.

What pain relief do you have? I was taking strong cocodermol and also rinsing with warm salty water. Just sort of holding the water in my mouth was quite soothing.

[MulberryBush12]

It isn't unusual to get a dry socket after an extraction. They are very painful & basically occur when the blood clot breaks down. Dry sockets are more common in women, smokers, lower jaw-mandible extractions and not uncommon after a difficult extraction.
Take pain relief regularly tonight and remember to wash your socket regularly with hot/warm salt water 1 tsp salt in a mug.
Tomorrow morning first thing ring either the hospital where your wisdom tooth was removed or ring your general dentist. Either of whom ( more likely your general dentist ) should be able to irrigate and dress the dry socket ( if diagnosed). Occasionally antibiotics are also required but you do need to be seen tomorrow. HTH ( I am a dentist ).

[Bouncearound]

Thanks. The pain has dulled somewhat following some ibuprofen so I will wait until the morning and contact the hospital. It was a lower tooth and came out ok; dentist said he had been 'about to use the drill' but carried on because I was 'handling it so well'... I was crying inside! I'm not a smoker and have been so careful with eating soft food, rinsing three times a day and resting as much as possible so I had hoped for straight forward recovery

[donajimena]

Bless you I'm having a tooth out next week. I recommend buying a mouthwash called Genigel. Have a little google about it. Its cured my gum disease (imo) so I have some on standby for next week

[MulberryBush12]

Probably just one of things
Try to aim for 6 mugs of Hot salt mouth water during the day.
It will get better, just needs time to get there & a definitive trip to dentist/hospital tomorrow. Good luck OP

[MulberryBush12]

Definite not definitive !

[Bouncearound]

Thanks for all the advice. Saw my dentist today and thankfully it's not dry socket but it is infected so I've got antibiotics. Hopefully it will ease in a day or two as it's been pretty awful today

[Dowser]

I had right lower next to wisdom tooth out sept 1 st. I was in pain for three weeks. I looked like a hamster with the swelling and the bruise ended up 5 ins long.

Horrendous.
Thought it would never subside.

[ootsideinbacktaefront]

Was just going to ask if your a dentist mulberry bush, great advice.

[MulberryBush12]

Yes (for my sins!)