Wisdom tooth out, now infected.

All_Souls

Hi.

On tuesday morning I had my wisdom tooth out, none surgical, just gave me and injection and pulled it out. They sent me home with diclofenac.

Since tuesday the pain in my gum/jaw has been constant, nothing will take it away, I spent yesterday in bed as I couldnt face getting up, and I have been being sick since tuesday night.

I went back to my dentist this morning and he had a look and told me It has become infected and I have a dry socket.

He cleaned it all out and put something in the hole (not sure what it is as I am in my own world at the moment, I believe it may have been an iodine strip?)

I am now home and the strip is falling out, tried to call my dentist but he is shut, I have seen different things on the internet, some saying it should be changed daily, others saying it should be taken out after the first day, my dentist did not say either way, just gave me amoxicillin and sent me on my way.

Do I need to go and get it changed or would I be ok to let it fall out?

browneyedbazzi

Call NHS direct...they should be able to give you some advice or put you in touch with the out of hours dental service in your area.

PlutoinCapricorn

How awful. You may be able to get some background information if you post in the health section, which is monitored by a dentist or two.

loulou123

I have had an infected extraction site (but not from a wisdom tooth) and they put some strange tasting seaweed like stuff in the hole, I've had this twice and both times some has fallen out within 24 hours, but some has remained in place - so I think they pack in extra expecting some to come loose.

The antibiotics will take a couple of days to kick in, but if your worried it can't hurt to call NHS direct up, as they should be able to give you advice and will be able to give you details of emergency dental services over weekend.

Hope its better soon x

All_Souls

loulou123 wrote: »

and they put some strange tasting seaweed like stuff in the hole, I've had this twice and both times some has fallen out within 24 hours, but some has remained in place - so I think they pack in extra expecting some to come loose.

Did you go back to get it changed or did it just fall out after a few days?

Thanks to everyone that has answered up to now, unfortunately I cannot ring nhs direct as they dont cover northern ireland, at least they didnt the last time I rang

Mojoworking

Same thing happened to me - it seemed almost as if they had stuffed it with the filter tip of a cigarette!! small bits came away, but it was fine and took about a week for the bits to stop coming out - but the instant relief of having it put in was bliss - I never had it changed - you would know yourself if i'ts dislodged if that original pain is back if that makes sense, just don't go mad brushing back there. The pain is there abit but nothing like as bad - any use?!?

All_Souls

Thank you mojo, you have put my mind at rest.

FBaby

Same happened to me but didn't see the dentist. I knew what it was and just took pain killers. My jaw was so swollen!!! Not niced but the pain goes away after a few days on its own.

*Robin*

Snap OP; I had an infected wisdom tooth out on Tuesday too - huge relief!

Dentist strongly recommended rinsing with a simple salt water solution as often as possible (from Wednesday for four/five days).

I've been doing it at least every couple of hours plus after eating anything - just a good sip, swill and spit - it's working for me.

HTH

zcrat41

Happened to me and the dentish put in a clove mixture thing. He said it would fall out once it had done its job.

Hope you feel better soon

bikelesschick

I have had several teeth taken out over the years for random reasons (this makes me sound like I have no teeth left but I have a mouth full, just had all of my milk ones and some wisdoms) and this is the advice I'm always given to help it heal/when infected:

1) (similar to Robin's) to rinse with warm salty water. Although I have never been told to do it as often as possible, just 3/4 times a day.

2) to have ice cream, or maybe drink something very cold if you're not keen on ice cream (never been an issue for me;)).

3) not to poke or do anything in the area.

4) always finish antibiotics even if feeling better half way through treatment.

I think it's likely the thing that was placed in the hole was an antiseptic or something similar. I'd imagine that if it needed to be there for longer the dentist would have given you spares for you to replace?

I hope you feel better soon.