Recovery

[Natzuk]

Hello

So I’m just having one tooth out under general anaesthetic on Friday and am wondering how long it will be till I can eat properly again ? Last time I had two out and detained roots and I think for a week I had to eat different. Am hoping that it won’t be like that this time ? Any advice? Thanks

 

[Gordon]

Just be slightly sensible about it for the first 24 hours. You don't need to eat a super soft diet just be careful not to go too mad with it.

 

[Natzuk]

@Gordon thanks I plan to have scrambled eggs , mash porridge, yoghurts and protein shakes just with me being underweight I don’t want to stick eating like this for long . I will miss my hot drinks ! When can I have them again ?

 

[sudzs]

Hi Natzuk, last time I had an extraction I was back on hot drinks the following morning. I have to have my cup of tea first thing or I just don't wake up properly! But I wouldn't have been sloshing it around the gap, just be careful and I'm sure it'll be fine.

Good luck with the procedure, it'll be a doddle with a general anaesthetic.

 

[Gordon]

I don’t want to stick eating like this for long . I will miss my hot drinks ! When can I have them again ?

There is no reason why you should have to. You could have the hot drinks right after the extraction if you really want to, like sudzs says, just be sensible about it and let them cool a wee bit or add a splash of extra milk.

 

[Natzuk]

@Gordon Thanks Gordon . I just want to make sure I don’t get dry socket I’ve never had it and don’t want to ! I can’t even manage having bloods so the thought of dry socket worries me . I don’t smoke or anything so I should be okay . Also I think Monday I’ll go back to how I eat . I doubt I’ll be hungry Friday but I’ll have my porridge if I am then Saturday and Sunday I’ll stick to soft foods then Monday just go back to normal. Thanks Gordon .

 

[Gordon]

Let me know how you get on, good luck!

 

[Natzuk]

Thank you so much I will do x

 

[Natzuk]

@Gordon hi . Got my tooth out and they did my fillings and gave my teeth a very deep clean and polish ! Wow all the tartar has gone my teeth look better. I’m struggling on a soft food diet but think on Tuesday I’ll eat normal as in my normal . I think they completed it about half nine till half ten yesterday as I wasn’t under general anaesthetic for long . I’ve no pain just some swelling which is normal . No bleeding at all . I’m using a baby toothbrush until Tuesday also then I’ll go back to my electric one . I’ve been cutting up my food like a bit of soft bread yesterday I cut it in tiny pieces. Is it okay to do that also ? I want a bit of chicken tomorrow so if I cut that in small pieces will I be okay to just eat it like that ?

Thanks Gordon

 

[Gordon]

You're fine to eat however you want. You don't need to stick to soft foods if you don't want to, no need to chop up the chicken either if you don't want to.

 

[Natzuk]

@Gordon thanks . I have like a very light colour going over the hole . Is that a good sign it’s healing already ? There’s no puss or anything obviously still delicate in that area and my throat from the tube is the only thing am struggling with as that’s sore but my tooth healing seems to be going well already ! I can send a picture of you like . Thank you so much

 

[Gordon]

The only thing that can go wrong really is a dry socket, you're completely past the time for that to happen, so relax and don't worry about it at all.

 

[Natzuk]

@Gordon thanks. Is it normal to have a bit of bad breath ? I’ve got no pain or anything else. My hospital discharge sheet did say bad breath on it but just wondering if it’s normal? Thanks it’s not bad but I notice it . Thanks

 

[Gordon]

Yeah, there's a fairly distinctive smell after getting a tooth out. Hard to describe but brings back memories for me

 

[Natzuk]

@Gordon haha you don’t want to remember . I am happy that it’s healing well . Still got a small swollen jaw as it was my lower tooth near the front on the left side . My throat is sore still after the general anaesthetic, my gum can still feel tender but am aware that’s normal . My breath isn’t too bad now it’s just when I use the salt washes . Thanks for all the advice and help as I was scared of getting dry socket but I must be healing well . Still using my baby toothbrush just don’t feel confident to use the manual one yet but I will from Monday . Thanks .

 

[Gordon]

If you can get hold of some Difflam mouthwash from the chemist and use that as a gargle, that will help with the sore throat. Tastes fairly pleasant too.

 

[Natzuk]

@Gordon thanks it’s actually a bit better now . I feel like everything is getting better . Just the swelling still . Friday will be a week so am sure by the weekend it should all be better. My gums still delicate but I am aware that’s also normal . So glad I have no dry socket or infection. ! Thanks for all the help !

 

[Natzuk]

@Gordon Hi again . So it’s healed but there’s a tiny bit on the inside of my mouth of the gum part where like a bit of skin is coming away from I think some of the hole ? You know like when you pick the skin on the side of your nails ? That type and that small . It bleeds a bit not where I need to spit it out or anything like that and it doesn’t last unless the skin comes away , that’s when I see it ., I can’t get a picture. No pain or anything at all . Is this still a part of the gum healing .? Anything to worry about ? Thanks for any help . I have been doing salt washes . I don’t want to get another infection? I’m worried it will cause dry socket but it’s so small ! I can’t see any puss or anything

 

[Gordon]

Yes, it's just the gum starting to remodel itself, no need to fret over it. You absolutely WILL NOT get a dry socket.
Actually, infected sockets are incredibly rare, (not dry sockets, they aren't actually an infection any way) I think I've only ever seen 1 in 40 odd years. It comes back to the fact that oral bacteria are very delicate wee beasties and easy meat for a functioning immune system.

 

[Natzuk]

@Gordon thanks . It’s come off now was a bit delicate last night but seems okay . It’s heating fine it was a small front tooth very bad root canal was done on it ! So glad it’s gone . I did tell them to take any other teeth out that wouldn’t be saved etc but I just had a few fillings also . Thanks very much