Got my wisdom tooth extracted yesterday

[Nick]

Hi fellow dental fear central users.

I got my wisdom tooth extracted yesterday, I got it removed under local anesthetic and it was really quick and painless. I haven't had any pain since I took my last ibuprofen some 18 hours ago, so the worst part is over I believe. But now for my question:

When I swallow my saliva, it seems to give a "pulling" feeling in the extraction site (lower left side). I assume this is considered normal?

For how long do I have to worry about getting a dry socket?

How long before I can start to eat normal again? I only ate some icecream and yoghurt yesterday, I'm gonna try with some mashed potatoes in a moment.

More question might arise, so beware .

 

[Jaylah]

Hi Nick.

That "pulling" feeling you describe is normal. It goes away in a couple of days.

If your extraction site has stopped bleeding, and you are following your after-care instructions, you're probably past the point of needing to worry about a dry socket. Just don't do anything (like trying to suck anything up with a straw, etc.) that will dislodge the clot in the extraction site.

We've started a thread with recommendations on eating after an extraction. You can find it here:

What to eat or not after extraction

I hope this is posted in the right place if not gently move me on please. There are a lot of posts on her of people asking what to eat after having teeth out. As this is not something you think about much before having teeth extracted I thought it might be useful to start a thread so people...

www.dentalfearcentral.org

I'd give the extraction site a good couple of days to start healing before I ate anything other than pretty soft foods. After that, it's pretty much what you feel you are up for. I wouldn't try really hard, jagged-edged stuff like crisps or tortilla chips, etc., for a few days. And if it's something you actually have to chew, make sure you chew on the other side. But you can go back to "normal" foods within a couple of days.

 

[carole]

I think they say that 72 hours and your safe from dry socket.

 

[Nick]

Thanks for the fast replies.

I follow the after-care instructions as good as I can, I'm a non smoker and I don't drink through straws and I don't forcefully spit. That should help a lot I hope.

I just finished my mashed potatoes, although I only ate a little because it took forever and the feeling of just swallowing it without chewing is just weird.

The dentist gave me some Chlorhexidine (0.2%), the bottle says I should use it 2-3 times a day, so I assume now is good time to clean, so I can get possible unwanted potatoes pieces out?

 

[Jaylah]

I just finished my mashed potatoes, although I only ate a little because it took forever and the feeling of just swallowing it without chewing is just weird.

You can chew soft foods now, Nick. Just chew on the other side.

The dentist gave me some Chlorhexidine (0.2%), the bottle says I should use it 2-3 times a day, so I assume now is good time to clean, so I can get possible unwanted potatoes pieces out?

Yep, an excellent time!

You can also rinse your mouth out with warm, lightly-salted water at any time you want. Many of us find that feels nice and it will also help rinse anything out of your mouth after eating.

 

[Nick]

You can chew soft foods now, Nick. Just chew on the other side.

I will do from now on, thanks !

Yep, an excellent time!

You can also rinse your mouth out with warm, lightly-salted water at any time you want. Many of us find that feels nice and it will also help rinse anything out of your mouth after eating.

That seems like a good idea with the warm saltwater, I'm gonna try it tomorrow I think .

Another question, I forgot to ask my dentist about this one:
When I have to use the chlorhexidine (1 tablespoon, so it dosen't take up the whole mouth, but it bubbles A LOT and increses the saliva production), should I gargle it or should I just keep it in my mouth and shake my head for it to get around?

 

[Jaylah]

Since it's been such a short time since your extraction, I would just "shake your head" for the time being, Nick. You can gently swish it around in your mouth, too. Key word: gently. What you're attempting to do for right now is not do anything that could dislodge the clot in the extraction site.

The solution your dentist gave you is sort of like peroxide. It's an antimicrobial (to guard against infection) and it also kind of fizzes in your mouth which helps to dislodge food particles. So all you really need to do with it is make sure that the solution bathes the entire surface of the inside of your mouth.

 

[Nick]

Hi Jaylah.

Thanks for your answer, it makes more sense now, I also started brushing my teeth (but staying away from the left lower side) .
Just woke up, it's 48 hours after the extraction, I have no pain and I can open my mouth almost fully now, it's so nice to be able to talk normally again.

I can't be anything but amazed by what the human body is capable of.

 

[carole]

Hi I am glad you are feeling good, Jaylah will still be in bed at the moment. It's about 6am where she is at the moment. She does have some very good advise. I hope you carry on healing as you have been, there's no reason why you shouldn't.

All the best

 

[Nick]

Yep, I'm also cheering for it to keep on healing this way.

How much should I worry about things getting stuck in the stitches/the hole? I'm really hungry after some spaghetti bolognese, but I could imagaine the small pieces of meat getting stuck? I'll ofcourse chew on the other site, but I think it's impossible to not get a tiny bit near the extraction site.

Or maybe I should try with some really soft food first? Salmon for instance.

 

[carole]

I would eat what you feel confident eating, I am a baby and while there is a hole I won't eat anything with bits in. But a lot of people eat normally, but carefully much sooner than me. If you fancy spag bol have it you can always rinse after, I don't think it will do any harm. Like Jaylah said eat on the opposite side to where you had the tooth extracted.

 

[Nick]

Okay got you .

I'm just gonna go with some fish and chips for today, and spagetti bolo for tomorrow.

 

[Jaylah]

Sounds like a plan to me!

 

[carole]

Okay got you .

I'm just gonna go with some fish and chips for today, and spagetti bolo for tomorrow.

Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmm I could just do some fish and chips, how about you Jaylah, has it got you going again.

I'm really pleased for you that you are so comfortable and healing well.

 

[Jaylah]

Oh, please, you guys!!!!!

 

[Nick]

Just wanted to update you guys:

Everything is going fine so far, it's healing nicely and I'm starting to eat even more normal .

But I have one problem, I can see a buildup of Dental plaque on the left lower site, which I were told not to brush because it would mess up the extraction site - but what she didn't tell me was when I would be able to brush normally again. I suppose not before the stiches are removed?

 

[carole]

If the dentist said not to brush, I would wait until you go and get the stitches out, as long as you are rinsing etc... like you have been you will be fine. A week won't hurt of not brushing there, I am glad you are healing so well.

 

[Jaylah]

Agree with what Carole said.

And even if there is a bit of plaque build-up, the dentist (or assistant) can easily take care of that at your follow-up appointment.

 

[Nick]

I owe you guys an update, so here goes:

I had my stiches removed, it only took like 30 sec, but I think she might have been a little too fast.
Because I just found out she forgot to remove the last stich, but she's just a human so mistakes do happen. Giving them a call on tuesday to get the last stich pulled out.

It wasn't nearly as bad as i believed it would be.

 

[carole]

Thank you for up dating really pleased for you that things went well. Shame about the left stitch, but it is easily put right.