Hi Bryanna,

Well, I went back to the dentist. This is a different dentist that did the extraction but one that I have seen many times over the last 10 years before insurance had me change. Now I just pay out of pocket to see him. Anyway, he seems a bit irritated with me since I was just there last week, but took a good look and did a thorough oral exam and said I am MAJORLY grinding or clenching my teeth and he can easily tell that and that may be part of my issue. He also said the extraction site looked good but he did see a lot of bacteria on the molar right in front of the site and said I need not be afraid to really brush that molar and keep it ultra clean. He said I do not have a jaw bone or any other infection. He suggested coming back next week for bite wings since it is time and I may have a small cavity or two but nothing major. He advised me to go to the store and get a mouth guard and see if that helped and if so, then his office could have one made for me in a few months after the store one needed to be replaced.

Can he tell I dont have an infection without an exray? This tooth was a simple extraction -- straight pull, not surgery. That is why I am so upset that we are going on SIX weeks!! My anxiety is going to kill me!

Kris,

I just realized that I got you confused with Nicole..... you guys have similar concerns ..... sorry !!

First just to clarify... even simple extractions are surgery and the procedure to remove the tooth can temporarily cause discomfort in other areas of the mouth. Secondly, grinding your teeth will cause pain or achiness in different teeth at different times. So a this point the surgical site may be doing really well but you are associating any other discomfort with the extraction.

A store bought mouth guard is not the same thing as a night guard. It does not fit your teeth the same way that the one made in a dental lab will. I personally do not recommend the store bought ones for that reason.

The bacteria on the molar needs to be removed daily with your toothbrush or it will irritate that whole area. Somethings you could try is a soft, small head child's size tooth brush... and "soft picks" by butler both of which can be bought at the supermarket or drug store.

Your symptoms do not indicate an infection at the extraction site. A periapical xray may or may not be helpful at this time. Bitewing xrays are done to see in between the molars when checking for cavities.

I think if you clean more effectively in that area and have a nightguard made.... and wear it.... you may notice some improvement.

Bryanna

Is it odd that the mint toothpaste irritates the site after giving the molar in front of it a good brushing, as instructed by you and dentist? I mean, 6 weeks......and still sore and irritated when it encounters something like that? My husband thinks maybe I was over doing the salt water rinses and did more harm than good? Your thoughts? He thinks I didnt give it a change to really heal up on its own.....that I was always rinsing. I rinsed after I ate. I didnt think that was too much but maybe I had too much salt? Also, what kind of x-ray are you referring to? I am going to go in on Monday or Tuesday and ask for that and to be "fitted" for a night guard from their office. Thanks Bryanna!!!!!!

Kris,

The salt water rinsing cannot hurt and it actually helps promote healing. However, it is unnecessary to use more than a pinch of salt or rinse more than 3-4 times a day... any more than that may cause irritation. I believe I've mentioned this before.

It is important to brush all of your teeth, including the one next to the extraction. However, it is unnecessary to brush any areas aggressively... thoroughly with a soft toothbrush is best. Use a small head to get into the spaces that you are afraid to use the big brush in. If the mint toothpaste irritates the tissue, stop using it and switch to an herbal toothpaste without mint. OR don't use toothpaste at all.... just wet your toothbrush and thoroughly brush your teeth.

None of what you have described indicates an infection. It does sound like you may have been overdoing whatever it is that you are doing and at the same time if you weren't brushing that molar every day then the build up of plaque caused an irritation. Don't stop cleaning or rinsing... just try to tone down the obsessiveness.

The xray that I spoke about is called a periapical xray.

Bryanna

Thank you!! I will get some herbal toothpaste....we have a nice health food store in town.

Can grinding cause the gum behind the BOTTOM molar pain? I am experiencing that today. The upper extraction site seems "ok" -- just was mildly annoyed by the toothpaste, but the gum behind the BOTTOM last molar seems sore today! UGH....it is like the soreness is jumping around!

Yes, it can be from the grinding or aggressive brushing or something you ate may have scratched that gum area.

I think you also may have become hyper sensitive to every feeling in your mouth since this extraction. This can occur when a patient obsesses about the procedure or continually imagines the worst is happening.

Hopefully you will start to believe that you really are doing well from this extraction and can calm down soon......

Bryanna

Thanks for your reassurance, Bryanna. I am just so worried that this dentist is missing something and then I read about "phantom" dental pain and my anxiety is THROUGH the roof. I just keep hoping each day, the soreness will be gone and it is when I wake up and then within a few hours, I get some sort of odd sensations or soreness on that side of the mouth.

I think I am going to have to have the dentist do the x-ray next week since I am driving myself crazy over this. He assures me it looks fine but WHY is it still so pink and open? It clearly needs more time to heal and I have no idea why this is taking so long??? Honestly, when I read any wisdom tooth extraction board, they always say they are pain free within 2-3 weeks max. I never see my issue.....why is this? Is my situation really that uncommon? Do you see this in your practice often? Thanks Bryanna....I know I am driving you crazy -- think of what I am doing to my poor husband??? He is begging me to just take Tylenol so I dont feel ANYTHING!!! I am pretty sensitive to meds and pain...obviously!

Kris,

Yes, I see this exact situation every day in my practice and it's very typical for people who have sjogren's syndrome to take longer to heal because of the dry mouth issue. The saliva actually bathes and soothes open wounds in the mouth. The lack of saliva prevents that constant bathing which makes the healing process take longer. I have patients with this condition who have open surgical wounds for several weeks...normal for them.

Does this info help a little .......?
Bryanna

I wonder if I have that syndrome? Would I know?

I guess either way, I am taking longer to heal and I just need to deal with it. I just found a "sore" on my gum...inbetween my cheek and gum on the lower left side, thus the soreness at that tooth. I guess that explains that. My son came home with a note on HAND FOOT and MOUTH virus going around school -- my luck, I have that now!!

I pray 2012 is better!!!!

You are a wonderful person Bryanna! Thank you!

Kris,

I did it again.... I mixed you up with Nicole re the sjogren's disease..... she said she has that. Anyway, my point is that everyone heals at a different rate and it depends on so many factors.

The sore on the gum on the lower left.... is it a canker sore or a herpes ulcer? Do you get those occasionally? Don't jump to conclusions that you now have hand, foot and mouth virus. Having one sore doesn't apply to that condition.

I suggest to use vitamin E oil, aloe vera gel or l-lysine ointment on that sore a few times a day. It helps to soothe the sore sensation and heals it faster.

Bryanna