Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
General health

Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

Original poster

Tooth extraction: how much pain is normal?

56 replies

SorrelSoup · 07/02/2017 10:56

Hi, I had a bottom molar removed yesterday and I'm in a lot of pain. I'm taking 400mg ibuprofen every 8 hours, and 1 Co-codamol every 6 hours. The pain's constant. I do expect to have pain but am extra anxious as last time I had an extraction I got dry socket. I'm just wondering what to expect; can anyone please advise?

OP posts:
Original poster
SorrelSoup · 07/02/2017 12:09

Just checked and the gum is all white next to the hole. It looks like a piece of tooth but is actually soft (I had to touch it to see what the hell it was). Is this OK? Is it an abcess?

OP posts:
Hastalapasta · 07/02/2017 12:28

Poor you, go back to the dentist and get checked out. They can prescribe anti inflammatorys and pain killers as well as antibiotics if necessary.
When I had a molar extracted it was sore but not unbearably so for a few days. Rinsing with warm salt water helped too.
Hope you get it sorted.

qazxc · 07/02/2017 12:34

I had the same with the extraction of my wisdom tooth, the white stuff was gum I think. I was in pain for a couple of weeks and uncomfortable for another week. I found that a combination of paracetamol and ibuprofen worked well for keeping pain under control , not aspirin as it thins blood.
Rinse with salt water also helps.
If you are worried ring your dentist, they won't mind having a look to check that it is healing properly.

sonlypuppyfat · 07/02/2017 12:43

I had a big molar out at the hospital, the only thing I had was relief. Go back to the dentist

Original poster
SorrelSoup · 07/02/2017 12:53

Thanks I'm going in an hour. If it's normal I'll look like a right idiot, but it can't be right to get no relief from medication.

OP posts:
LeopardPrintSocks1 · 07/02/2017 12:55

Don't rinse roughly as that can create dry socket

WindwardCircle · 07/02/2017 12:57

You might have dry socket, which is when a clot fails to form properly over the extraction site. It happened to me after a molar extraction and it the pain is awful, but it's not actually anything serious. You'll probably be given antibiotics and perhaps some stronger pain killers, other than that all you can do is wait it out, it does get better as soon as the gum wound begins to heal.

WindwardCircle · 07/02/2017 12:59

Oops, I didn't read your op properly did I? 🙄 Sorry, you know all about dry socket, ignore me.

MackerelOfFact · 07/02/2017 12:59

The white tissue just means its healing. It will also probably smell like roadkill, that's normal too. Do NOT touch it and don't rinse with anything for at least 24 hours after the extraction (and even then, only very gently). Can you see a clot sitting nicely in the socket?

When I had my wisdom teeth out I was on ibuprofen every 4 hours and co-codomal every 4 hours (staggered, so I'd take something every 2 hours) so it may just be that you need to up the pain relief.

Check if there's a clot and then call the dentist for advice.

Original poster
SorrelSoup · 07/02/2017 13:00

I've followed all instructions as I had dry socket before. Held salt water in mouth, dribbled it out. Non smoker. At least I'll know what's what!

OP posts:
Original poster
SorrelSoup · 07/02/2017 13:02

I can't see the hole as it's too snug.

OP posts:
MackerelOfFact · 07/02/2017 13:02

Sometimes you can accidentally swallow the clot though (yum Grin) even if you follow all the advice... it's just one of those things!

Original poster
SorrelSoup · 07/02/2017 15:04

Well it's all OK! I've an ulcer, not an abcess! Keep taking the painkillers. I did feel like a time waster!

OP posts:
Hastalapasta · 07/02/2017 17:15

Glad you are ok. Hope it heals nicely.

Original poster
SorrelSoup · 07/02/2017 17:36

Thank you! I've upped the meds!

OP posts:
Original poster
SorrelSoup · 08/02/2017 10:53

PLEASE HELP!!! I'm still in agony! I'm not due any more painkillers for 2.5 hours. Is it really normal to be in this much pain? Can anyone recommend anything else I can do to help ease the pain?

OP posts:
Original poster
SorrelSoup · 08/02/2017 11:04

Dentists said dry socket doesn't develop until day 5. I'm now at 48 hours.

OP posts:
Original poster
SorrelSoup · 08/02/2017 11:13

Temp is 35

OP posts:
ByJoveItsAGoodUn · 08/02/2017 12:18

Ulcers can be really painful.

LeopardPrintSocks1 · 08/02/2017 12:20

I don't remember being in much pain when I had an extraction. I would go back to the dentist.

Original poster
SorrelSoup · 08/02/2017 12:27

My jaw and face is burning. The pain is constant now. I'm here waiting.

OP posts:
ByJoveItsAGoodUn · 08/02/2017 19:19

That isn't normal. I was bruised and achey but not burning.

PopcornBits · 08/02/2017 19:30

Burning sounds like a nerve issue to me. Extractions are painful, they will ache and throb. Burning is not normal.

Original poster
SorrelSoup · 08/02/2017 19:31

Update (in case anyone has similar in the future). Dentist adamant no infection or dry socket, but she packed the hole as if it was a dry socket. She said the ulcer looks really red and inflamed and gave me some difflan numbing mouthwash. She said the pain is coming from ulcer. I was still in agony on the way home. Came in took my painkillers that were due. Used the mouthwash twice. I'VE FELT LITERALLY NO PAIN FOR FIVE HOURS. I'm actually quite terrified of the rapid turnaround and the pain returning!

OP posts:
LeopardPrintSocks1 · 08/02/2017 20:26

That's a good update. Glad you went to see them

Swipe left for the next trending thread