Question:
I recently developed dry socket from a lower wisdom tooth extraction (and I don't smoke, nor did I use a straw). I saw the dentist two days in a row, but now it is the weekend and I have to wait until Monday. He put gauze in it with medicine, but it is almost like the gauze itself causes pain. I am also worried because I took it out with sterile tweezers, but accidently touched with my hand when I almost dropped it. Is this still sterile? Should I remove the gauze? Will I be on worse pain if I did? I have another piece he wants me to apply either tomorrow night or Sunday and I was not sure if I shold leave this gauze in until then or take it out sooner?
Also, I got my tooth pulled on Monday, diagnosed with dry socket on Thursday after I called in and asked him to look at it. How much longer will the pain be this severe? I am moving across the country for graduate school in 3 weeks and I hope I feel better before then. On top of the gauze, is there anything else I can do to help?
Answers:
It would have been better to have left the gauze undisturbed but you are not at increased risk of infection. The socket should have been packed with Alvogyl or a similar material (kinda looks like tobacco) but I guess if there had been a clot and the socket had begun healing it's more difficult to treat. All you can really do is try not to touch it, follow your Dentists instructions and keep taking the painkillers. If the pain is really severe you could try finding another Dentist who is open at weekends, or the local Hospital. It should be all healed and pain-free by the time you move.
Dry socket happens more to females than males, and it is a normal condition, the important thing is keep the socket clean, thats the key, with no gauze or alvelgyl.. thats what studies have recently found, keep it clean!
:)
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