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Wow all 4 extractions done today! That's impressive But I hope the healing process goes really well for you. I had 2 extractions last year (top premolars) and it went ok. I did the soft food thing because I was terrified of dislodging the blood clots. The blood clots form over your extraction holes and act as a shield to prevent food or anything from getting up into the hole. Stuff getting up there can cause a very painful infection called dry socket and you don't want that. I think the lower jaw is more susceptible to this. If you chew too much on the sites or suck anything (like through a straw) it can dislodge those blood clots so whatever you do, just be careful with that.
Sorry if you already knew all that but just wanted to make sure since it's important...
Thanks for the info andromeda, i have tried to chew all the way to the back. So far so good, not too much pain but the holes look huge, hopefully they wont take too long to close after the braces are put on. Question, how long before the blood clot goes away and the extraction site look like normal gum tissue?
I can't comment on your question regarding the extraction site and such, but I can say one thing. When I got my wisdom teeth out, they were all impacted...I got stitches for each site...and i ended up with dry socket on both tops. It was THE WORST PAIN I have EVER felt in my entire life!! Seriously!!? I still don't known how I got it, except that I bled SO MUCH in my mouth that I kept changing the guaze and maybe I didn't allow a clot to form up there? I don't know. All I can say is...be gentle with yourself and give your body time to heal itself in the way that it does...or else you'll just suffer for it.
(When I went back to have my stitches taken out, the doc asked me how I felt and I said "in a lot of pain." He gave me a sheet that listed all of my symptoms (nasty taste in mouth, pain, etc.) and the culprit was dry socket. Then he took tiny pieces of guaze, soaked them in this medicated stuff and shoved them up into the hole....and it was IMMEDIATE relief!! Why? Dry socket means that your BONE is exposed to oxygen!! You'll KNOW if you have it...believe me!! And if you do, call your doc right away and RUN over there quickly! Trust me. I know from experience )
6 more days till brace day. Still counting down. And still trying to cope with the extraction sites, they are a lil sore still. Im just terrified of the dry socket thing now.
Thanks againbrace. The extraction sites are doing quite well. Much better today than previous days, hopefully the throbbing feeling will go away completely by tomorrow. Brace day in 5 days, yay!!
Just wanted to wish you luck Trevi! You won't regret your decision. I've had my ceramic braces for a little over a month and couldn't be happier. My teeth have already shown significant movement. My first adjustment is in two weeks! (Did I mention that I'm 34? )
Wishing you all the best! Congratulations on the beginning of your journey!
So I am officially braced and it is nowhere as bad as I thought it would be. I actually like them and think I look kind of cute. I am a little concerned because I am not in pain and i have read many stories about the discomfort of braces. Does the wire number have anything to do with it. I have a 14 wire on top and a 16 on bottom. My teeth are too sore to bite on however I have been just breaking up my food in pieces and doing my best. I cant brush with an electric toothbrush because it hurt too much, and flossing kinds hurt too. But all in all things are going quite well. Will be adding pics soon.
Looking good, Trevi. You have such nicely shaped teeth!
Well we all have different amounts of pain/discomfort and tolerance to it. When it hurts to chew or brush your teeth, some people call that pain Oh, before you speak to soon it may be worse tomorrow or the next day.
Braced for 2 years, 11 months, 2 weeks and 5 days (the 2nd time ‘round)
Hawley on top, Essix on bottom
But I hope the healing process goes really well for you. I had 2 extractions last year (top premolars) and it went ok. I did the soft food thing because I was terrified of dislodging the blood clots. The blood clots form over your extraction holes and act as a shield to prevent food or anything from getting up into the hole. Stuff getting up there can cause a very painful infection called dry socket and you don't want that. I think the lower jaw is more susceptible to this. If you chew too much on the sites or suck anything (like through a straw) it can dislodge those blood clots so whatever you do, just be careful with that. 
Glad to hear you got through the extractions. I'm sure you'll start to see results very quickly!
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