Ugh had tooth out on thursday and now it tastes and smells like something died in there!

[Polgara2]

Any dentists around? Is this right? I had an abscess over a very old crown/root filling. Dentist took tooth out which was no easy task in the end getting the root filling out. Apparently it was diseased and broken etc. It took him 25 minutes to get it all out (think he was in a hot sweat because he asked for the window opening half way through ).

Anyhow, it is still sore but no more than I would expect it's just this vile, rotten taste and smell. It looks to have pus in the hole but is this just the infection from the abscess draining out? DH says he needs a gas mask to look at it for me! The taste is making me feel nauseous.

TIA

Am a dental nurse...

It sounds like one of 2 things....

1] an infection.

2] food trapped in the hole & going rotten. This tends to have a rather pus like appearance, imo.

You should be rinsing (gently) with warm salt water & brushing that area gently now.

I would advise to at least call your dentist & ask for some advise, as you may need it checked & cleaned out at the very least.

Thanks sandcastles. I don't think it is food - can't be totally sure of course. If it was a fresh infection (as oppose to the original infection iyswim!) wouldn't I be in more pain? And should I have had antibiotics for the abscess infection even though he took it out?

I am bathing (note not swishing!) it with warm salt wash very, very regularly.

Am starting to overdramatize about getting poisoned by the gunk now! DH is rolling his eyes at me.

Yes, I would have thought you'd be in more pain too! But the lack of pain does suggest that it may be food of some kind.

It is quite possible to get food stuck in the hole.

Did they recommend a mouthwash to use.

Hmm could be a noodle from my enforced noodle soup diet I guess Wouldn't that come out with all the liquid going onto the area though?

Sorry TMI but I can see gunky looking bits as well as blood clot type thing. (I had a tooth out about 18 months ago and it was nothing like this.)

Sorry to harp on but with regards to the original abscess - is it feasible that this is the infection draining away from that and if not what happens to it?

I do appreciate you talking to me sandcastles - it is stopping me from crying

Oh sorry no he didn't say anything about mouthwash

OK, mouthwash - good to use Corsodyl. Use it only as directed on bottle & sparingly as it can stain.

It could be drainage, true. Hard to tell without seeing really. If it isn't, the infection will drain away in other ways, the body creates a sinus (drainage channel) to take it away. But it is entirely possible.

You could try calling the emergency dental service, they can advise!

Don't mind talking...glad to learn that dental 'talk' still doesn't put me off my food!

Should add that Corsodyl staining can be removed by dentist.

Ok thanks - will invest in some Corsodyl tomorrow. Have just got some mints from the corner shop as was desperate!

If it is no better tomorrow I will go back to dentist. Typically it is a top back molar so am struggling with a mirror in my mouth desperately trying to see what is going on!

Gawd I hate teeth!

i would be rinsing every hour with salt water. then see the dentist/doc for a look and some antibiotics. rinsing with salt water works really well.

Pol - I had exactly the same thing when I had a chronically (sp?) infected tooth out. It stank for days and I felt very self-conscious. But once the wound began to heal up everything was fine.
hth

Forgot to say, gums that are healing up can look pretty manky - all grey and gooey - so it may not be pus in the wound, just new tissue forming.

NB I am not medically trained, so take everything I say with a pinch of salt, not literally obviously, as that would sting like billy-o...

Haha thanks ihearthuckabees that's reassuring to hear - I have been feeling very self-conscious - to the point of opening a conversation with "I'm sorry if I smell!" Have been getting some very strange looks. It is beginning to lessen now thank goodness but it still tastes horrid. All I need now is for it to stop being sore as well

Moocowme yes copious amounts of salt water here (ughhh).

MMmmm, yes, it's tough isn't it? I think I was in pain for a good couple of weeks, but hang in there. It'll get better.