Tooth Extraction

[nailit]

Had to have one of my molar teeth taken out this morning :-(
On the 'aftercare' leaflet they gave me it says to avoid drinking out of a straw. Why would this be?
It also says do not rinse mouth for 24 hours. Does this mean I cant clean my teeth tonight as I would have to rinse then?
The only other tooth ive had removed was 30 years ago so cant remember what advice I was given then and why.
Many thanks.

[pixie373]

Just to prevent further bleeding, i expect, nailit. Just be careful with it, anyway. Hope it's not too painful x

[nailit]

Thanks pixie, cant see how drinking out of a straw would cause bleeding though, would have thought the opposite if anything as the liquid would have less contact with the gap.
The aching (after the anesthetic had worn off) has faded now.

[dunnitall]

Ouch nail it...poor you, I hope you recover soon and no horrible lasting effects.

[pixie373]

The straw might hurt the gap. Health and safety and all that ;-)

[Peter Pedant]

you have been a good boy Nailit - gold star.

Dont clean your teeth tonight - I think the rinsing is to prevent you displacing the clot plugging the socket

The straw I think would suck the clot off again

and yes your breath will be pretty foul by the morning
the blood clot washed by saliva for 24 hrs will make you whiff....

[nailit]

lol dunnitall, im surviving. Actually havnt been the dentist for years, got a bit of a phobia but have been forced to go because my tooth was cracked. Last time I had a tooth out I actually passed out but the dentist I saw today was fantastic.

[nailit]

Thanks pixie and peter, that makes sense.

[smoneybags]

I think it could be that you could knock the blood clot with the straw and cause more bleeding.

[nailit]

gone queasy just thinking about that smoney.

[nailit]

How long would it be before the clot hardens? Just put my tongue on it (and wished I hadnt) its very soft.

[Sqad]

It doesn't "harden"....it gets absorbed after about 3-4 days by which time the "gap" has closed.

[nailit]

cheers squad.

[B00]

My tummy's done flip flops just reading this....

*bleurgh!*

[woofgang]

the suction in your mouth caused by sucking through a straw can suck the clot out of the socket. If that happens, you can get a thing called dry socket which isn't dangerous but is very very painful

[anneasquith]

I know its not easy but, try not to probe the area where the tooth was extracted,

[nailit]

BOO, my own tummys done a few somersaults today as well.
woofgang, yeah that makes sense,
anneasquith, it is a bit tempting to keep poking my tongue where it shouldnt be.... ;-)

[Maydup]

Hope you feel OK now Nailit. Follow the instructions to the word to speed up the healing and to prevent infection. So no rinsing for 24 hours to allow it to heal over and then be gentle with the brushing from tomorrow evening onwards.

[nailit]

thanks maydup, just trying to eat my supper...on one side of my mouth. Very awkward.

[vakayu]

Were you not advised to gargle with salty water nailit,my dentist usually advises this to freshen the mouth without disturbing the clot.

[nailit]

was told to use salt water tomorrow vacayu, no gargling today at all.