DRY SOCKET

[lillie32]

Ok, so I ended up with a dry socket after I had my last wisdom tooth, which was impacted, surgically removed. My surgery was on the 29th of Sept, Friday, and Thursday I ended up back at the OS's to "fix" my dry socket and infection. So he like, gave me novacaine, then he flushed it out, stuffed it, and gave me antibiotics to pick up on my way home. He didn't stitch me back up, or anything, and I wonder if he should've had. So my first question is, to those of you who've had the "delight" of such an experience , should I have been re-stitched back up? And how long did it take you to finally heal this thing? It still doesn't look quite right, and I know everybody's going to be different, yes, but I guess I'm just wondering how much longer this will last, and if it will just close on it's own, cause right now, there's just like a big opening, still, like I'm getting dry socket again, and I'm still having a little jaw pain (but this is how it all started the first time).

Then, to add to the story, (this is very gross, so brace yourself for the info I'm about to offer, here, ok?) I'm still having a lot of oozing, of a mixture of puss and blood. I just want to know if this is normal after 4 days of antibiotics? I've been taking Amoxicillin, 500mg, 3X's per day, for 7 seven days, and I'm on day 4 now. Shouldn't there be a great improvement by now? The pain's subsided quite a bit, but I'm still having concerns, on mainly how it looks. It's still an open slit, and keeps bleeding and my breath could knock someone out! - It stinks horrible, despite of keeping my mouth as clean as possible, by brushing, like 4x's a day, flossing, and gargling with salt water.

Then, this morning, my other surgical site, which was where one of the exposures took place, is hurting like heck, and looks very puffy and red. And it looks like the incision might burst at any moment. I'm guessing this is a secondary infection, so I'm freaking out AGAIN!!!! So I need your help, by telling me about your own experiences, so that I can decide if I'm over reacting, and should give it more time, or am I taking a chance by not calling the doctor on call on this Sunday and tell him what's going on? (big sigh )

Desperately waiting your response,

I might as well sign off as "drama queen Lillie"

[lillie32]

Ok, so I took your advice and called Dr's again. (I feel like such a bother, doing this, but thanks for making me feel better by saying I'm probably not the first or the last patient to do this .)So by now he immediately remembered exactly who I was, (and btw, he returned my call instantly, which was kindda nice!) and he reassured me that it's probably nothing to worry about, by what I discribed to him, but if by tomorrow or even Tuesday it's still getting worse, to just call and make an appointment to have it looked at, just in case. He said that the dry socket really wasn't the worst he's ever seen, and it's normal to keep oozing even now. He also said that the site will not be completely closed and healed for at least 3 wks, and that it's natural to keep feeling pain in the jaw for several wks, until the bone fills in. I guess it makes sense. Well, I was somewhat releaved, for the time being, anyway. Apparently it's very common for people to get dry socket, which the definition for this is very discusting! To think that the jaw bone was exposed - yucky-o-eeeeee-arghhhh!

So conclusion: Wait and hope this thing heals up good and fast, before I start regreting I ever had it removed!

[lillie32]

ok, so it looks like I might have been over reacting this time. Things look like they're improving, little by little (but not quick enough for me) and I guess that it's normal to still feel some pain and discomfort, for a few more wks (oh no!) and keep oozing as well (yuck!). So I just have to keep patient and a close eye on it. But nonetheless, I feel a lot better today. I really think my whole mouth is finally healing the way it should.

You have been a great friend when I needed someone, and I thank you for your support!

[fyrelight]

How are you doing now, Lillie? A few days have passed, hopefully you are doing much better!