Tooth extraction - when can you eat??

[Deleted User]

Today I had my back tooth extracted. I feel fine, it was simple, quick and efficient - no dramas. I was very pleasantly surprised.

Anyway, I realise I've now got a big hole in my mouth. The dentist says I can eat soft food, but I haven't dared touch anything as I don't know how to stop it falling into the cavity and the thought of this - and the consequences - is stopping me from eating.

How are you supposed to eat after an extraction. How do you stop food getting in the hole. Even if you have a warm drink (they say you can - I haven't yet) surely that gets in the cavity and makes it *messy* and at risk of infection.

I'm going to try and sleep soon, but know I'll wake up thirsty and hungry in the morning, but I'm a bit too anxious to want to eat and drink. Can anyone put my mind at rest? I think I need a bit of an idiot guide as to what's happening in my mouth so that it's safe to eat and drink. I hope that's not asking for medical advice... I just would appreciate some shared experience or knowledge.

McKneff

Niice glass of orange and a bowl of porridge, or ready brek, i wouldnt go for cocopops :eek:if i was you, Soup and bread for lunch. casserole of something like it for dinner. After that, eat normally.

Your body will deal with it itself, dont worry about it. Its a very complicated piece of hi tech stuff. Dont worry about stuff getting into it tomorrow, it will automatically reject anything.

BitterAndTwisted

Soup for day or two if you're worried. You could always rinse your mouth out with some warm salty water afterwards if you feel the need. The gum has probably already formed a nice protective blood-clot/plug in the cavity. If you can't taste blood in your mouth it's healing already

[Deleted User]

Thanks so much for your replies - they have put my mind at rest. I sort of guessed it would be OK or the dentist would have said something, but my mind was so fearful of an infection!

I had a decent nights sleep despite being a little uncomfortable (and the state of the pillow this morning was a bit of a shock). I've now got a lukewarm cup of tea to drink - no hot drinks for the first 24hrs the dentist instructions state - and getting ready for work. This really was much easier than I feared - what a wasteful emotion fear is most of the time!

Still can't quite get my head around the fact I've got a hole in my mouth, yet eating is OK... weird :rotfl: Still, as you say, the body is a marvellous thing.

Thank you again for taking the time to reassure, it means a lot and I'm very grateful

Toothsmith

Just eat normally - It'll be fine.

Food can get in the socket, but it comes out as well.

Your dentist should have given you full instructions, both verbally and written down.

Lots of salty mouthwashes after 24 h as well.

[Deleted User]

Thanks Toothsmith - I've been doing the salty mouthwashes too, makes me feel like I'm doing something constructive to help healing. My dentist is fabulous and did send me home with written instructions... I just wasn't clear about the cavity and food. If I'd thought to ask her at the time all would have been well. In the meantime it was MSE to the rescue - Marvellous!

[Deleted User]

URRHHGGGHGGGHGHHHHHHH :eek:

No one warned me that I'd have a plug of blood stuff in my mouth after an extraction. Woke this morning to the most vile taste in my mouth and freaked a bit (I take a while to wake in the morning!) when I saw the globs of 'stuff' fall out of my mouth.

Is this normal? There's nothing on the notes from the dentist. I'm guessing it's OK because it doesn't hurt, but boy it's a shock!

Is there anything else I need to prepare for? I'd be grateful for shared experiences.

PS: Eating is going OK - thank you :rotfl:

McKneff

It completely okay, part of the natural 'plug' has come adrift, you body probably made too much which it doesnt need and it has a choice to go one way or the other - yak.

You'll be fine

Interestingly enough, if i have ever had an extraction my dentist has told me to nothing ie salt water etc.
he says your body will do its own healing and its used dealing with its own germs. I had four of my front ones out
because i have osteoporosis and my smaller teeth were getting quite loose, my four false teeth went in straight away within seconds of them being pulled and i never felt a thing afterwards although i expected too.

Be a brave little soldier now:T

Fork86

McKneff wrote: »

It completely okay, part of the natural 'plug' has come adrift, you body probably made too much which it doesnt need and it has a choice to go one way or the other - yak.

You'll be fine

Interestingly enough, if i have ever had an extraction my dentist has told me to nothing ie salt water etc.
he says your body will do its own healing and its used dealing with its own germs.

That's true to an extent, but dentists nowadays are taught to recommend patients rinse with warm salty water 1 day after their extractions to help sterilise the mouth and prevent infections. This is particularly important for woman taking the oral contraceptive, smokers, and those having lower wisdoms out.

[Deleted User]

It's really good to read other people's experiences - I thought I was doing quite well in the "brave little soldier" role :rotfl: thanks for the prompt McKneff

I think I'm one of those people that like to know what's happening - if I do, I can deal with anything... it's the unknown that throws me into a bit of a wobble! It was a lower molar (the one at the very back) that was removed so I guess the salty water routine is good - I think it's good psychologically even if the efficacy isn't that brilliant medically.

Thanks again - I wonder what tomorrow shall bring... up :eek:

Fork86

Deleted_User wrote: »

It's really good to read other people's experiences - I thought I was doing quite well in the "brave little soldier" role :rotfl: thanks for the prompt McKneff

I think I'm one of those people that like to know what's happening - if I do, I can deal with anything... it's the unknown that throws me into a bit of a wobble! It was a lower molar (the one at the very back) that was removed so I guess the salty water routine is good - I think it's good psychologically even if the efficacy isn't that brilliant medically.

Thanks again - I wonder what tomorrow shall bring... up :eek:

You will experience some dull aching for atleast several days after the extraction, as well as some swelling, possibly some bruising too. The easier the extraction, the quicker the recovery. Just keep up your pain killers

Just be wary of any changes in the nature of the pain. If you start to experience excruciating, sharp, throbbing pain, you will have developed a 'dry socket' (infection of the socket). Just make sure you don't touch cigarettes (if you do smoke) for atleast the next week or so, or you will almost certainly get an infection!

Just stick to soft foods, and don't worry if small bits of food get trapped in the socket. You can try removing the food through gentle rinsing.