New Denture Scare

[BlueLady]

Hello all,
I am now Day 3 postop of a full mouth extraction and immediate dentures. My uppers are a bit tight pressure wise (like a tightly fitting shirt) but no pain per say, and removing them for cleaning is quite easy and virtually painless.

HOWEVER my bottom dentures are stuck. My right bottom jaw is swollen pretty tight and has a knot on it. It's been the worst of my pain and try as I may I can not get my bottom denture off. I'm so afraid of infection what can I do to eliminate swelling so I can properly clean my still healing and sutured gums and dentures? I've tried both ice packs and heat packs... As of now I'm just using the mouthwash given to me by the surgeon as best I can to try and prevent what I can.

Thanks
Blue

 

[Suzannah99]

Have you been sleeping with your head elevated? I only had four teeth out but slept almost sitting upright for the first few days. I had one day of proper swelling and my denture was so tight I left it in over night and took it out the following night instead once the swelling had calmed down.

Right now I would use the mouthwash and also rinse with warm salt water too.
Lots of folk are told to keep their dentures in for the first couple of weeks so I wouldn't worry too much as yet and you will be swollen at this point.
I would likely call the dentist just to check and for reassurance and just continue trying to take them out at various intervals.
It will be painful though - you have been through a lot and also your gums aren't getting the over night rest they could do with. I suspect that in the next day or so the swelling will ease and you will be OK.

Definitely elevate your head though at night and ice packs (they suggest an ice pack every 20 mins) but be careful not to burn your face with them.

 

[BlueLady]

Oh thank you! No I was never told by anyone to keep my head elevated by I will definitely try that and some more ice packs. My bottom denture has definitely been the more painful of the two from the beginning.

 

[Suzannah99]

Oh thank you! No I was never told by anyone to keep my head elevated by I will definitely try that and some more ice packs. My bottom denture has definitely been the more painful of the two from the beginning.

To be honest I only found out about head elevation from you tube videos!
Kalinjax is a good one to go check out and easy to find - just tap in that name - go to her page and go to oldest videos - she tells it like it is and I found her inspirational. She also had all upper and lower teeth extracted and she has pics of just how swollen she was.
Elevation will definitely help you! I didn't need ice packs but Kalinjax did and she used them a lot in the beginning from what she said in those early videos.

 

[Ldr]

Definitely elevate your head when sleeping. I learned the hard way this morning! Woke up very swollen on second day. Dentist information didn't mention the elevation but tonight I'm actually sleeping in the recliner. I'm not in much pain...all uppers removed yesterday with just novocaine, immediate dentures put right in. First removal was scary but not unbearable pain at all!! Hang in there. As swollen as I was today couldn't help but notice I'm not embarrassed about my smile anymore ?