Scared of Dry Socket!

[Future Author]

So, as the title says, I'm scared of dry socket after reading up on it so much. I got all four wisdom teeth out on thursday, 3-4 days ago. My lower right extraction involved a lot of pressure. Yesterday, I noticed some of the stitching thread lying in the space between my cheek and gums. Of course I played with it, but no tugging or anything. I looked into my mouth with a flashlight to see if I still had a blood clot (which I'm guessing is that brownish thing). I still have it on the left, but it doesn't look like it on the right. Should I be concerned? I don't have that foul taste, a bit of pain but nothing outrageous, like a wee bit. I'm assuming that's from the extraction. Can I get a professional's opinion?

 

[RP]

I'm not a professional, but then again this isn't a general dentistry advice forum, it's really for phobics- try some of the references here: Dental Forums

All that being said, my unprofessional opinion is at three to four days you are past the "worried about dry socket" stage and if you don't have really bad pain, you are in the clear. Sounds like all is healing normally.

Hope you feel better quick.
rp

 

[formygirls]

again, not a professional, but...i have had dry socket twice (lucky me!!) and i can say that by 3-4 days out, you'd probably be in a LOT of pain. for me, i had an extraction done on a tuesday, and that friday i called my dentist to say that i was still in pain and should i still be taking so many painkillers. finally on sunday, i had no doubts, but looking back, i knew in my mind that something wasn't "normal".

good luck! it really does sound like you're in the clear.

(but, if things suddenly get worse and painkillers aren't helping the pain, call your dentist/oral surgeon and they can pack it with medicine! it helps a ton!)

ally