food stuck in extraction gaps !!!!

[lu lu]

How do you know if you've got food stuck in your extraction gaps?

What happens if food is caught in there & goes un noticed & the gum heals over it & even worse they move your teeth into postion????

This really scares me! I've had my top extractions done now & the 1 when I get a mirror & look I can see something in the big empty hole. There was lots of it before but it went when I rinsed my mouth with warm salt water but this last bit won't budge. Since last rinsing my mouth I have major pain!!!!

My bottom extraction gaps have healed over now but I still worry there could have been food caught in there (chance is slim as I probs would of noticed but my uppers I won't really know if anything is stuck up there as it's harder to see)

[aleigh3890]

I had 2 extractions done right after I got my braces on, and I sounded a lot like you lol!

Don't worry too much. If there is food in there, it'll dissolve. It won't infect the space as long as you keep it clean. The main thing you need to do is leave it alone. If you bother it too much you can pull out the clot and get a dry socket. (this may be the pain you're feeling). If you're having pain that wont go away with OTC pain meds, try going to Walgreens and pick up the red cross tooth ache kit. I got it on the 4th or 5th day and it was a life saver! the packs comes with little cotton balls and a bottle of clove oil to dip them in, then you just apply it to the spot and it numbs it. Just a warning though, the stuff smells very strong, and can burn your skin a little if it hits your lips, but if you're in pain it's worth it!

When did u get them pulled?

[Plumcore]

Hmm, when i had my extractions, my dentist gave me a syringe to rinse the holes starting about..a week and a half after? Basically when you are no longer swollen or in pain. The syringe was a life saver as it got the food out of there. No pressure needed just an angle to dislodge the food.

[smilelikeyoumeanit]

Yes, the syringe with water is great. I used it when I had my wisdom teeth removed. I was grossed out by the amount of food that I rinsed out of there. I recommend getting one if you can.

[lu lu]

Thanks for the replies although now I'm more concerned as I haven't had a syringe & never did when I had my wisdom teeth out & that was at the dental hospital. Don't think they give you them here in the uk. But it sounds like its important to get the food out so its added to my worry (not hard)

aleigh3890 - had them out on monday. Pain from my salt water rinse has gone now. Was awful pain made my eyes water. Think I used too much salt. Also I don't think the food dissolves because recently my auntie was having problems & it was because food had got caught (not sure if she had had extractions tho) I heard it third party but from what I gathered it was along those lines & the gum had healed over
X

[Plumcore]

I don't think gum can heal over bits of food, and even if it does, it will probably be pushed out in time, just like remaining tooth bits if any. The food is important to get out because it can slow down the healing for one, and for two, it can get infected.

If the extraction is infected, you would usually have extreme pain, swollen red gum around the extraction and puss coming out which would taste awful.

You could go to your dentist for a checkup, and ask for a syringe.

[aleigh3890]

I didn't get a syringe, but I know they're good to have. All I was saying about the food is that if it's in there, leave it be-trust me pulling out the clot will be a lot worse! The clot shoud be in there enough that you don't have to worry too much though. I had a noodle stuck in my socket from the 2nd day onward, and it just dissolved-I made sure to keep it really clean. If it's soft food, it should dissolve. The only issue may be if it's harder food or harder to break down food, but my guess is that it'd be pushed out like the little pieces of tooth (had 2 of those too). Since these were my first extractions, I talked to my fiance's mom (a dental asst.for 25 yrs.) and this is all what she told me.

Good Luck!

[drgnchsr36]

I was told by the hygienist not to stress about it. I was getting food stuck where one of my upper wisdom teeth was extracted. They stated that the food would eventually dislodge and your body would "reject" it or kick it out.

It drives me nuts still from time to time when food gets lodged there. I end up getting most of it out with my tongue. Don't do that if it's been really recent with the extractions. Ask for the syringe or just rinse your mouth really well.

[BraceFace2o1o]

I bought my own syringe to rinse my wisdom teeth extractions (they didn't supply me with one, and it wasn't even mentioned). The syringe helped alot, as I was getting quite a bit of food stuck in my lower extraction gap. Obviously, I only used the syringe to rinse my extraction holes about a week after the extraction, I didn't want to dislodge the blood clots! I wasn't always able to remove every last piece, even with rinsing and using the syringe and I can say that it never caused me a problem.

I think it's difficult not to get food in an extraction gap, so I don't think we should worry too much. If it's concerning you alot then you could always call your Dentist office and see what they say.

The trouble with eating and worrying about food getting stuck in extraction areas is a bit like someone with burst hemorrhoids (I haven't had them personally), they can't stop going for a number 2 to avoid the soreness etc. the same as you can't go without food/liquid food until the extraction holes heal. Really sorry for the gross comparison LOL. If I could, I would have said if you have a cut on your arm, you might worry about fluff getting into the wound from your clothes, but you have a choice to wear a short sleeved shirt, so it can be avoided

[Plumcore]

Wow..Chrystal That comparison made me chuckle. But yeah you are right. Lower extractions get a lot more food caught in there. Also if you removed them on Monday, i think it should be safe to use a syringe starting Monday...i think. Just don't use a lot of pressure *nod*

[gtrguy2886]

From what I understand, the foods that become a problem in this area is anything with seeds. When I got my two dental implants, I got a sesame seed stuck up there...no clue how. But they had to cut it open and remove it. It gets this weird fluid in it, but I don't know if I'd call it an infection.

I wouldn't worry, though. I've never heard of it with extractions.

[Epurica]

I got my 2 upper Wisdom teeth pulled out last month. Since then my waterpik has been a lifesaver. I'm really glad I invested in one because it does a great job at cleaning food stuck there (because it still gets stuck there even now) and it's really great for braces. It cleans out every last bit of food stuck in there really fast. I'm in love with it and I really recommend getting one if you have/will have braces L(