In need of some support and answers if possible.

Okay, so firstly… hi. I’m a newbie here, and a terrified one at that. I’m going to try and keep this first post relatively short, but I tend to ramble when I’m nervous, so no promises lol.

I have a huge phobia of dentists, to the extent that I haven’t been to one in ten years and the last appointment I had with one ended up in me being dragged there by my foster mum. Add to this a seemingly never ending list of mental illnesses including agoraphobia, severe anxiety, PTSD and BPD and it really isn’t a good mix. I’ve struggled with toothache on and off throughout the years and the beginning of this year it worsened tenfold. With the support of my wife, mental health workers and foster mum (who has stuck by me in the seven years since I left care), and a healthy dose of Diazepam, I forced myself to go.

The dentist was nice enough, and I was in and out within fifteen minutes, a referral to a specialist dental clinic underway. While waiting for the appointment (a total of six months altogether even though the work needed was classed as urgent), I had many meltdowns which I suppose was to be expected. My first appointment at the clinic was a month ago, and thankfully the dentist there was lovely. I suffer from paranoia and I know one of the things that kept me from going for any checkups was the thought of being judged. There’s also the fear of surgery, having all of my teeth out, being in even more pain and a host of other things that tangle together and leave me paralysed with fright.

Anyway, the dentist said I needed five extractions (two at top right far back which were just roots, one at bottom right far back which was repeatedly getting infected and the cause of my pain, one at top left far back and one at bottom left far back) and four fillings (top four front teeth). My two front teeth are horrific. I can’t smile, talk behind my hand, and they have caused me endless hours of embarrassment and self-loathing.

My first appointment, to get the three right-side extractions done, was four days ago (Wednesday). I was put under IV sedation, a lot of it according to my foster mum, and was completely out of it. Until I woke up when they were still yanking on my bottom tooth and ended up having a complete freak out. The only slight silver lining to that is while I can remember the absolute terror I felt as I came around, they immediately injected me with more meds and so now, looking back, I feel a bit detached about the whole thing, albeit extremely nervous that the same thing will happen again. The dentist was surprised that I had come around after such high dosing, but I hope this means that they will keep me topped up properly in my next appt on the 22nd of next month.

Since those three extractions, the pain has lessened though it still feels very tender. I purposefully did little research about complications or any dental writings before my appointments because I know what I get like and how ill I can become, and therefore I didn’t even know there was such a thing as dry socket until my wife unthinkingly told me the night after my surgery about the time she had it many years ago. Since then my days have been consumed with looking up symptoms and causes online, and although I’m aware that I’m just making things worse for myself, I can’t stop. Which leads me to the questions I have. I really hope that someone here will be able to answer them before I drive myself even more batty than I already am lol.

How long after the surgery can dry socket occur and how is it treated?
When can I use mouthwash again?
Is it normal for the right side of my face to still feel swollen?
How long should the pain last?
How long should I stay on a soft diet for and how long should I avoid anything spicy?
If it takes up to six months to heal properly, is it safe to have my other extractions out a month later?

I see I did a rubbish job of keeping this post short, I’m really sorry, and I know I will have more questions and be in need of reassurance when my next appointments roll around, but I think this is it for right now. If you do know any of these answers, please put this petrified nut out of her misery and reply, and even if you don’t… safety in numbers, right?

Many thanks,

Lost.

Hi lost -

I don't know the answers to your questions (sorry), but I wanted to say hello and welcome - you'll find plenty of support here!

It sounds like you're doing really well to get so far already!

Hopefully somebody in the know will be along soon enough to answer your questions - there are a few people here who have had similar sorts of treatment recently. If you don't get any answers here, try posting in the "Your Dentistry Questions Answered" section where the dentists sometimes come in and answer things like that.

Tink

Welcome!

I don't have the answers to all of your questions, but can answer the one about dry socket.

My understanding is that it's very, very unlikely to develop after the first 72hrs. You're past that now. From everything I know, if you had dry socket you would KNOW without a doubt. The pain would be excruciating.

And, to answer your question about still feeling sore -- that seems normal based on my experience as long as the soreness is getting better and not worse.

I'm not a dentist, so these answers are just from my experience and what I have read on this forum. You may want to posted on the dentistry questions section of the forum or call/email your dentist with your concerns.

Best of luck to you!

As FearfulInMA told you, you can stop worrying about dry socket. It's not a nice complication, with a scary sounding name to boot, but you should be well in the clear now, and you'd have known without a doubt if you had it, it's very painful!

As for using mouthwash, use it as soon as you feel ready. I literally used it the day after getting all my teeth out. Just be gentle with it if you're worried. Be gentle with your mouth in general. Healing is a slow process.

It's normal to be swollen and sore for quite some days after getting teeth out. I would say you only need to take notice if the swelling gets worse, or the pain gets worse, especially if it radiates up your face. If any of those symptoms get worse, just go back to the dentist (if you get a fever, go immediately). It could mean an infection - easily treated, and won't kill you. Otherwise, the symptoms should be getting a little less severe each day, but don't worry, it can take a while.

Try harder food whenever you're ready. Like the mouthwash, just be gentle. And not too hard or chewy - I don't think ploughing into a steak would be very fun. Wash your mouth out after eating, with water or mouthwash, just to keep any food out of the sockets.

The six months healing is also the time it takes for your gums to settle into a new shape without the teeth there, I believe. There should be no problems with having more teeth extracted after a month.

Disclaimer, am not dentist, simply have had all my teeth out and survived the process just fine.

Many thanks to Tink, FearfulInMA and Sevena, I hope you're all well.

Very relieved about the dry socket news and will try and talk myself down from the fears now. To be honest, my paranoia and fears are so unyielding that I'll probably continue with just using salt water until next Wednesday so I don't do anything to make it worse. I've also got enough soft food in to last a few more days which I am glad about. It's ridiculous, really, I've neglected my teeth so horrifically due to one reason or another for my whole life, and now I'm hesitant to do anything that could even pose a minimal risk to them. It seems to be one hurdle after another - I know that as soon as I stop panicking so much about what's happening right now, I'll move right on to stressing about the next extractions and the possibility that the dentist might not be able to save my two front teeth.

The swelling I'm experiencing has starting going down (I think), though it seems to flare up again every morning for some reason... maybe I turn over in my sleep and lie on it or something? ... and the pain is lessening to the extent that I've only taken one round of painkillers so far today, instead of the four I was taking on Weds and Thurs, though I do feel a definite ache and a lot of tenderness if I try and eat or smirk and sometimes when yawning. I suppose I should just try and stop worrying so much, though I guess many of the people here know how much easier that is said than done.

I'll stop rambling now lol. Thanks so much for the kind welcome and replies... it really is much appreciated.

Lost

Hi and Welcome, Lost!

So sorry you are in the midst of so much...and sounds like you have been for quite some time. (((((Lost))))) I admire your courage and strength getting through all you have...dental and otherwise....and coming out ahead. I can only imagine.

I TOTALLY understand the paralyzing dental phobia and am always amazed by people just like you that take it by the horns and face it head on. BE PROUD OF YOURSELF! Tackling extractions right off the bat after a 10 year absence is remarkable to me!! Having been absent 10 years myself I find that I am doing everything possible to avoid extracting one tiny, ridiculously painful, hopelessly infected "evil little sugar cube" because I am scared silly and also continue to avoid necessary work on 10 other teeth. I am sincerely in awe of you and so many here like you - who are in a constant battle with your fear and yet you are WINNING by finding a dentist you can trust, finding the will to take the necessary steps and finding the courage to have the procedures done.

While I cannot answer your technical questions regarding healing, I know others have and will continue to do so. I do want to wish you continued good healing and a speedy recovery and sending strength your way as your next appointment approaches. With each one you are that much closer to being out of pain, being healthy and being happy... with a beautiful smile to show for it....and all this dental "stress" will become a distant memory.

Please let us know how you are doing...and feel free to post for support should you need it!

Thanks, Mugz!

I really appreciate your words, but unfortunately I don't feel like I'm coming out ahead in anything - just the opposite in fact - though, I understand from your posts in your thread, you know how that feels. Getting through those past four dentist appointments were torture, and I wither up inside when I think of everything that is still to come, but I'll probably explain it all a little more in a journal or something... it's going to turn out like a bloody essay, I just know it!

I'm so glad I stumbled upon this forum with like-minded people, I think people who don't understand just what it's like to be literally frozen in terror about calling/talking to/going to the dentist find it rather boring and melodramatic. It's refreshing to have found a place where everyone's fears and feelings are validated.

As for you having to gather up the courage time and time again to sort that malicious bugger of a tooth out... well that is what is inspiring to me. One of these days, I just know it, the pain you're currently experiencing is going to be history. Until then, you need to commend yourself on how well you're doing. We all experience lapses and blips and the like... but the fact that you keep trying - interspersed with trips to what I gather is the simply magical place of Camp Don'twannago (please reserve me a place, I'm hopping on the plane now!) - is what matters.

In regards to how I'm doing, physically I'm fine. The pain is almost non-existent now, and I haven't taken painkillers in two days, so that's good. The swelling has reduced dramatically which I'm thankful for, but I'm still taking no chances and am continuing to get by on soup, mashed potato and yogurt. Living the dream, eh?! Emotionally, I'm all over the place. It doesn't seem to matter how intent I am on not thinking about my next trip to the dreaded place, it keeps creeping back into my head and driving me up the wall and it's only going to get worse from here on out. But anyway, not much I can do about that.

I hope that you've had a good day, and thanks again for your message.

Lost

Lost -- As Mugz has said, you really need to be proud of yourself for all that you have accomplished so far! You are moving forward even if it doesn't feel that way. I know so well that this journey can feel like 2 steps forward, 1 step back, but you have to remember that, even if you make some trips to camp idontwannago you are still making progress.

Keep posting here and we will keep providing encouragement and support. This is an amazing group of people. I've had a few difficult appointments over the last couple of months and I have always felt like the people here have been right there with me every step of the way.

Take good care and keep hanging in there!

Hi Fearful

Thanks so much for the encouraging words, I really appreciate it! I'm so glad you have managed to find support here - I'll repeat what I said in an earlier post, I'm so thankful that I found this forum. I suppose it's near impossible to understand the emotions and merciless fear that surrounds every appt etc unless you've been through it yourself, but here it would seem that people really do 'get it.'

I'm pleased to announce that apart from a few twinges when I try lower jaw gymnastics I am now pain free, which is such a relief. Before I got my bottom tooth extracted I was in so much pain... there weren't even words. It's been a week now, and even the discomfort I felt directly after the surgery, even when it was at its worst, it doesn't compare to how it was before. And that's good. I should be taking comfort from that and trusting that the rest of the work that needs to be done will go as smoothly as this has. Unfortunately, my mind is my worst enemy and I'm now at the stage of worrying about so many things that I know rationally probably won't happen. So now I'm back to where I was a month ago, and then the years before that where I'm stressing and panicking and want to projectile vomit (nice image, eh?!) whenever I think of my next appointment... which is pretty much every five minutes lol. It's so bloody tiring!

Anyway, I hope you're having a good day and painless day.