Hi Joe,
Pardon my interjection here, but don't you think that it is important for this person to take her smoking habit seriously to avoid surgical complications? By telling her not to worry about it, is like tellng her to go ahead, smoke, you'll be fine.
I respect your lengthy career in dental hygiene, but how much oral surgery have you actually seen? I've been chair-siding oral surgery for 30 yrs and have seen countless cases of alveolar osteitis from various tooth extractions, not just wisdom teeth.
Smoking........alcohol consumption....... poor post operative care....... radiation therapy....... any autoimmune disease....... these are the big contributory factors in getting this nasty, painful, condition. I have also seen people whose extraction sites have NEVER healed after a dry socket because they went back to smoking before the bony area had time to heal completely, which can take several months or more depending on the overall health of the person. When exploratory surgery is done on these cases, the bone is like mush, it's black, it's smells awful and it is severely necrotic. The oral tissue may appear to look like it had closed over, but it's open enough to get a fine paper point way up inside the necrotic socket which means that bacteria is getting in there also.
With all due respect Joe, my intention here is not to contradict your post. This person deserves to be informed of the complications that can occur if she smokes after her oral surgery. From her original post, it sounds like she already has other chronic health and dental issues going on..... a dry socket is the last thing she needs right now.
I too hope she does super well!!
Bryanna
Quote:
Originally Posted by JOE1
I hope this shows up. Can't figure out where to type a reply.
I have practiced Dental Hygiene for 30 years.
I would not worry about a dry socket. This is not a wisdom tooth, and dry sockets are not ususally a problem in other areas.
I agree with your DDS. If the tooth has already had a root canal, then blows up years later, don't dump anymore time and money into it.
I think you will be surprised how fast you heal up. Gentle rinsing. Try not to dislodge the clot. If the dentist places a suture over the extraction hole, all the better. not usually necessary, tho.
Most ext's don't require RX paid relief. usually controlled with Motrin, etc. But if you need it, be the sqyeaky wheel and GET IT. Don't let anyone tell you you don't hurt when you do, and don't take a prescription that you know you can't use. There are alot of options to keep you comfy, but usually, just getting the problem tooth OUT, starts the pain relief. Good Luck. I bet you do well! JOE1:
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