72 hours post extraction advice needed

[Randomguy666]

Hi all,

Firstly I am terrified of the dentist, I had a tooth out on Wednesday as I had no other choice from continually returning abcess and it was badly broken. It was a molar on the back of bottom right side. It doesnt help matters that I have an acute anxiety disorder.

I was told by my dentist not to smoke for 24 hours after my surgery but because of my anxiety of there being a complication I google to check this advice was sound. I shouldn’t have done this! I am now terrified of getting this dry socket, the only thing that helps calm my severe anxiety is marijuana and I have had to smoke over the last couple of days (with wet gauze over the wound) just to stop myself from having a constant panic attack - my questions is when do you no longer have to worry about dry socket? My blood clot appears intact and a yellow grey colour, I have been rinsing where necessary with salt water and now just want to know if it’s ok to smoke as I would normally, I understand the general medical worlds ambivalence towards smoking and that’s why I am asking here as I would like a professional opinion that is sensible rather than the continual anti-smoking propaganda that seems to be rife online. My dentist said 24 hours and I want to believe him but my fear of the dentist is so great that getting dry socket would be a nightmare as I’d have to go back again.

Please advise and not judge, I’ve smoked cannabis medically for 8 years now and never had to have any sort of anti anxiety meds such is the relief it provides.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Enarete]

Hi Randomguy,

I'm not a dentist but from reading around, after 4 days you are out of the danger zone for dry socket. Wet gauze over the wound is a good idea. I believe that the first 24 hours is the most critical time for the recovery. Of course, the longer someone can go without smoking the better.
By the way, even if you smoked it doesn't mean you will get dry socket. I work in a dental practice and we sometimes see people who get out of the door after an extraction and take a cigarette as the first thing (which always makes us a bit frustrated) and it's not like all of them come back with dry socket later. So while quitting smoking for some time after the procedure is the wisest thing to do, if you can't stop for more than one day then it is what it is. Try not to worry about it too much if somehow possible.

All the best wishes

 

[Randomguy666]

Hi Enarete,

Thanks for your thoughtful reply it has aided my worry somewhat, I’m sure I’m just a massive hypochondriac but sometimes it’s difficult to break through to see that haha.

It was about 36 hours when I had my first cigarette and fingers crossed I have experienced very little discomfort or any other symptoms to suggest things aren’t going as they should so far.

I am very happy to have found this forum as I have more dental work coming up soon and I hope the site will help me understand procedures a little better so hopefully I’m not so anxious in future.