dry socket?

bright_side

I'm really trying not to panic here! I had my abscessed tooth extracted on Thursday. Yesterday, I could feel something coming out of the site, which I assumed was the blood clot, however on investigation when it came out, it actually looked like a small piece of the lint I had to bite on after the extraction. There was quite nasty pain for about 45 mins, during which time I could tell the abscess was draining, then it returned to just the uncomfortable feeling you'd expect from an extraction.
The gum seems to be healing, however the hole is obvious now. I've been gently rinsing my mouth with cooled boiled salty water.
I'm just wondering if this is all normal? Google is BAD, I never knew dry socket existed before!! Considering I'm not in much pain I assume I haven't got it but am concerned it could now develop into it because of the hole? I've just got today and tomorrow left on antibiotics.

brook2jack

Never rely on google or this forum for medical advice you will end up convinced you have terrible problems or end up ignoring something that should be looked at.

If you are concerned book an appointment with your dentist.

However dry socket is much more likely to develop in smokers, and is very painful, the pain starting a day or two after extraction.It is very unlikely that someone who is taking antibiotics will develop it. Most people will have a "hole" of some sort after a tooth is taken out.

bunnykins

Hi there - it's a while since I had a wisdom tooth extracted but I distinctly remember there being a very large whole in the gum where the tooth had been removed for several weeks - I kept getting food stuck in it so was rinsing with salt water for weeks!

Try not to worry too much as you're doing everything right as I remember but just to re-assure yourself I'd give your dentist a quick ring when the surgery opens in the morning.

bunnykins x

belfastgirl23

It sounds to me like if you had dry socket you would definitely know about it!! I don't think it's a 'might have' kind of a condition

It's still very soon after your extraction and it will all settle down. Sounds like you're doing the right things in the meantime.

pogofish

No,this is not dry socket - And you wouldreally know about it if you had it.

It is also not unusual for a bit of firm debris to work its way out of your socket post-extration. Ihad this twice following wisdom tooth work and the dentist advised it was pretty normal.

Also remember that clots are part of the healing process and should be left undisturbed as far as practical till they come away of their own accord.

bright_side

Thankyou very much for all your comments - a little bit of reassurance goes a long way

I knew I didn't have dry socket already, but was worrying in case the hole suggested it may occur. I'm due back at work tomorrow after two weeks off because of the abscess so I was fretting in case I wasn't able to go in.
Now that I know the hole is quite natural along with the fact I've only had to take Ibruprofen twice today, I think I'm well on the road to recovery.

Thanks again xx