post wisdom teeth removal dismay

Nurse_Bambi

I had my lower wisdom teeth removed under GA 3 weeks ago now. It was a nightmare.. I had dry sockets (i think thats what they call it) and an infection. I had to go back to the surgeon twice.. including a trip to A&E because I couldn't stand the pain! And my painkillers and antibiotics knocked me for 6.

However, I'm still having problems with one side. Its ultra sensitive to hot/cold, slightly tender when I chew hard foods and there appears to be a gaping hole which spewed out a load of food, white stuff and dressing this evening. Yukk... I know!

Is this normal? Is it part of the healing process? Did anyone else experience such things. I'm wondering whether I should call the surgeon again... (maybe he wouldn't mind as I work at the same hospital) or just find a new dentist and go see their opinion. (just moved so dont have one).

any ideas... did anyone else suffer so much?!?!

tomstickland

I've had 4 wisdom teeth removed and I had none of the problems you describe.
First time was under injected GA, unerupted teeth, no problems apart from not being able to open mouth and clean teeth for first 3 days.
Second time was local anaesthetic and I was back at work chomping on bread rolls the next morning.

Sounds to me like you've got an infection and it's got to heal up before you'll be back to normal.

tee_pee_2

i had 4 wisdom teeth removed at the hosipital, and one of them became a gaping hole. Went back to dentist and he loaned me a very strange object . Imagaine a pipe bent at the end with a valve on the other end. Basically you filled the valve with warm water and put the pipe on it and squeezed the valve whilst aiming the pipe at the hole ( does that make sense)!!! A gentle stream of water washed the trapped food out of the hole. Had to do it everythime I ate. It did heal eventually I use to put a pinch of salt in the water.

Just read that post back to myself and my dentist sounds like some quack from victorian times:eek:

ts_aly2000

All four gone here too, about 10-years ago. Was on scrambled eggs for a week rinsed out with saline. Parent's loved it as I couldn't talk.

It'll be ok OP, hold in there When you get infected it does drag you down a bit

Rinse out with salt water VERY regularly, and you shouldn't really be eating proper food and definitely not chewing. Only things like soup and scrambled eggs, with saline afterwards.

Nurse_Bambi

Thanks for you replies..

tee-pee.. loved your description! i also have the syringe you describe! But doesn't seem to clean the hole out.. it just hurts and sends waves of pain though my jaw! How long did it take to heal?

ts_ally.. its been 3 weeks... Surely normal food is ok now!

tom - lucky u!

CharleneUK

Wow! Sorry you're going through this! Scary!

I've just had a letter from my dentist to book myself in to have mine removed.. Scary stuff.

[Deleted User]

Dry sockets are the worst, so painful! I had my lower wisdom tooth removed on 15 March and I had to go back to the dentist twice a week for months to have the hole emptied and cleaned, I was on antibiotics and painkillers for weeks OMG what a nightmare. The gap is finally closing up, another couple of months and should be sealed completely.

Unfortunately I need to remove the other one as well, I am dreading it, not the extraction itself but the idea of getting another dry socket. Ouch, ouch, is all I can say!

Teerah

Nurse Bambi, it does sound like the area is still infected. You should return to see a dentist for advice and probably have the area dressed again. The dressings used will both speed up the healing process and stop food getting stuck in the socket and keeping the area irritated. Keep away from the area whilst eating, if the dry socket isnt healed yet then it will still be tender to chew on it so avoid the area. Book yourself in with a dentist asap.

Nurse_Bambi

Just an udate in case anyone is suffering the same! I went to the dentist today. I don't have an infection (he had a prod around including my glands - no pain) but a gap in which food and drink is entering. Apparently this is irritating the roots of the tooth next to the hole. He cleaned out the hole and put in a new dressing. (just a bit painful!!) He recommended a dental gel and using a very small interspace brush to clean around the teeth near the gaps. So at least I know its healing! I'm to go back if theres any major problems.. if not in a week or so!

I didn't expect all this to happen.. but not to scare anyone.. he did says its not that comman to have the problems I;ve experienced!

chatta

I was told by dentist cloves are a natural antiseptic, I boiled water and soaked cloves in till cold, I used this night and day to swill my mouth out. Wisdom teeth are pretty big, and it's bound to take while for the holes to heal up. The cloves worked for me, they freshen your breath too

HouseHunter_2

I had a dry socket when I was on holiday in Turkey a couple of years ago. the bloke who owned the B&B where I was staying sent me up to the dentists on the back of his brother's moped. I was rather scared but it was very modern and clean. The receptionist gave me sugary tea while I waited then I sat in a chair with a beautiful view of the ocean. He sorted it, asked me to go back in 3 days' time so back I went, total bill? A fiver. :T