Dry Socket Following Tooth Extraction - Warning!

[peachybabe]

I know this should normally go under health, but I wanted to warn as many people as possible. I had never heard of it before.
I had a lower molar extracted two and a half weeks ago and am still in absolute agony! If you can imagine the worst toothache you've ever had and multiply it by ten, then you will be some way to imagining the pain associated with what dentists call Dry Socket!
They don't warn you about it, maybe because it only happens in about 2-5% of extractions! But if you do suffer from it, boy! Will you know it!
Apparently it occurs when the blood clot/scab comes away from the extraction site before it has had a chance to start healing, and results in the bone and nerve endings being left exposed.
Symptoms include excrutiating pain in both the top and bottom jaw on the side of extraction, difficulty swallowing, earache, pain at the back of your tongue, and a sore throat.
I went back to the dentist yesterday thinking it was an infection, and was told that there was no infection, you've got Dry Socket!
So be warned Abers! However much you feel that it's better with the tooth out, make sure that you follow the dentists post treatment advice thoroughly!
I'm currently taking the strongest over the counter pain killers that I can, but even they are only numbing the pain for about two hours, so for the other six hours until the next dose, I'm in agony!
Dentist did offer to pack the site with a special dressing, but that involves cutting the gum to put it in!

[Elina]

Yes it's horrible peachy. As you say, follow after care to the letter. Salt water gargles are very good in the early days following extraction. Have you not been given antibiotics?

[peachybabe]

No, the dentist said that as it wasn't an infection, they wouldn't be much good. He also told me that it could go on for another couple of weeks!

Deep joy!!

[Elina]

Oh that's horrible. I'm sure it's put you off any further dental treatment, but these things can happen. Hope you recover soon.

[Dee Sa]

you definitely have my sympathy peachy, nothing worse than toothache, about five years ago I had 17 implants done but I would not go back to have the rest done too painful. I do hope it all heals up soon, cant your GP prescribe stronger painkillers or I believe even dentists can write prescriptions for certain medications, I have never heard of Dry Socket before .

[B00]

I've heard of dry socket, but luckily never suffered from it.

I've suffered the agony of abscesses on both sides of my mouth at once, which resulted in having all 4 wisdom teeth taken out at once. I cannot begin to describe the agony of those, which included rocking in bed in the early hours of the morning crying with pain. If as you say that DS is 10 times worse, you have my every sympathy, I sincerely wouldn't wish toothache on my worst enemy!

Hopefully, it'll all settle down sooner rather than later for you, and the pain will be a distant memory :-)

[peachybabe]

Dee Sa. I'm trying to live with it as far as poss. Don't want to waste the GPs time, plus he's not very sympathetic anyway! Boo. I've cried over the pain of abscesses too. I can't believe that this is actually more painful! Was always terrified of the dentist anyway. This hasn't helped the situation!

[B00]

Yep ditto, I am too, i'm even a gibbering wreak going for check ups. Which is really difficult to conceal when you have checkups with your child who you're trying to convince that "there's nothing to be scared of at all!"

[Elina]

If you have a hot water bottle peachy it's comforting against your mouth, not too hot though, just nice & warm.

[Peter Pedant]

Bads news for you
sorry about that

as my dentist said: dry socket sounds much better than it is !

[HansUrbancka]

I have never experienced it and, from what I have heard about the extremely severe pain involved, I would never want to.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alveolar_osteitis#Treatment

Hans.

[anneasquith]

poor thing..............if there is no improvement go back for the packing.

[Daffy6543]

I have to have an extraction on Tuesday next week, it will be the second one this year :-/ My poor teeth are in a bit of a state.

[Fusion5]

I have had a dry socket, terrible pain. I mistakenly started to use salt water mouth rinses as soon as I got home and dislodged the clot. Never again.

Any extractions done now I insist the puta stitch in.

[Fusion5]

You also do need antibiotics.

[whirlyhurly]

Well,thanks for the warning about dry socket, I'm booked in at the end of this month for 2 upper extractions, I really sympathise with you over the excruciating pain of dental treatment. I shall be extra cautious now and even more scared, I hope soon your pain will abate eventually, there really is no pain worse is there?