Days after a tooth extraction

[scoobydooby]

Had tooth out on Monday. Everything been going okay and haven't needed any pain relief. However, area 'feels' strange and aches a little when I wake up in the morning. Have read about 'dry socket' and am kacking myself! Has anyone had this and, after 72 hours, is it likely that I've avoided this happening? Worrying because it happened to my Mum at my age and I'm generally a worrier anyway - shouldn't have looked it up on the internet should I? If I can see that blood has clotted in the cavity, am I ok?

[Miss Zippy]

I'd have thought that if you had dry socket (which is an infected blood clot), you would know about it as you'd be in severe pain. The area is bound to feel a bit tender for the first few days and a bit of aching is normal. Wash your mouth out regularly with mouth wash to help prevent any infection. Go and see your dentist though if you are worried.

[scoobydooby]

Oh dear Russian-bint, I do sympathise with you! I don't know about you, but I sure wouldn't have eaten all those toffees as a child if I'd known what was to come!!! Hope you're feeling better soon x

[skyep]

scoobydooby - Me & my husband recently had tooth extractions, unfortunately, infections are common as happened to both my husband & me. Sounds horrible, but smell your breath with cupped hands,smell off? Look at the area where your tooth was extracted, is there a yellowing or whiteness forming in the socket? If this is the case, it's infected, the sooner you get back to your dentist, the sooner he can prescribe you antibiotics.

[MrXLA]

Hi scoobydooby,

A typical feature of 'dry-socket' is that the pain is far worse than that originally caused by the tooth itself. So it certainly doesn't sound that way'. However as Miss Zippy has said if you are worried visit your dentist.
In response to Skyep, infections after tooth extractions are generally not common. They can occur idiopathically, they are more common in mandibular molars particularly third molars and there is an increased risk in smokers. The suggested method of diagnosis in this case is complete rubbish and antibiotics would not be the treatment of choice in the first instance.

[skyep]

scoobydoo - So how are you :0)

[scoobydooby]

Hi Skyep, thanks for asking and thanks to everyone for the responses. I think I'm okay, I can see a slight whiteness on the edges of my gum but can definitely see clots underneath. Certainly can't see emptiness (which I understand it a symptom of dry socket). I think I'm just worrying because i've been so ill lately with different things (two lots of anti-biotics for different reasons and now some anti-biotic cream for a skin infection). I've struggled through and been to work every day but I feel pretty low now, to say the least, and just want to get back to a normal life! Oh well, these things happen don't they - many people worse off than me!

[skyep]

hi scoobydooby - Extraction's are not very nice to have done, hope you feel better soon! Come back & let us know how you are :0)