Hi, I had all 4 of my wisdom teeth removed Tuesday morning. Everything was going fine until tonight (Friday) my lower right side was bothering me more than it has since the beginning. Pain meds aren't working well. and when I looked inside my mouth I noticed somthing different. Before it looked like it was stitched closed, and now i see some stitches still, but I also see a hole. It seems to be between my gum and check.

Did I just not notice it before?, did I do something to cause this to happen?, do I need to be concerened? Etc... Oh, and I also have a hard lump on the same side. Is swelling supposed to be soft or can it be hard like that?

It's now early sat a.m. My dentist is 45 minutes away and I have no idea if they are open on the weekends. Ugh, all this stuff freaks me out.

Hi Erica,

It could be normal healing, but it would be wise to see your dentist to rule out an infection. Always better to play it safe.

It's also a good idea to keep rinsing with warm salt water several times a day until the surgical wounds close.

Let us know how you're doing.......

Bryanna

The on call dentist said he isn't concerned about it. (even though I told him Vicodin last night wouldn't touch the pain). It doesn't hurt as bad today so maybe I did something to irritate it yesterday. He told me to rinse with listerine. To help keep food out and keep it clean. I think I will just do saltwater. Will the saltwater help with sores that are developing in my mouth? Thanks for the reply!

I forgot to mention that my breath doesn't smell pleasant at all. Is it just because I am not getting the food out of the area well enough? I'm afraid to swish more vigorously with the salt water because I don't want the dry socket. I'm not sure how long one is at risk for dry socket.

Hi Erica,

Please do not rinse with Listerine as it will dry out the socket for sure! Salt water is the best thing to rinse with and with each day you can rinse a little bit more vigorously. By the third day, the clot has pretty much settled down unless there was a disturbance of it prior to that.

The unpleasant mouth odor is very normal. It is from the open wounds that contain the blood clot and the dried blood that is still present in the oral tissue. That odor will dissipate in a few days. If you are concerned about the odor, you can drink some mint tea (warm, not hot) to refreshen your breath.

When is your post op appt with the dentist?

Bryanna

They don't do a follow up appointment. I asked the day I had them taken out and they said I don't need one. I should have asked why but was so nervous I didn't think of it. Yeah, Listerine just doesn't sound good, so I haven't done it.

Erica,

I am surprised that you don't have a follow up appt. I really suggest that you make one anyway in about 7-10 days after your extractions were done. I've been in dentistry for many years and I don't know of any dentist that doesn't do post op for their surgery patients.

The reason Listerine and other similar mouthwashes are not recommended is because they contain alcohol (which dries up the saliva contributing to a dry socket) and because the chemicals in these products burn the oral tissue. So neither of these things are going to aid with the healing. Silly dentists.... they do know better.

Bryanna

Ok, so I believe I mentioned that I had a hard lump on the side that was hurting (located on my jaw bone) the lump had been there since the day after the teeth were taken out. well, today I had some pressure on it and I felt it release. The pain was gettin pretty darn intense and after the release it feels better some. The lump is not as big anymore. Was this an infection? And if so, do I need to do anything about it? Thank you so much for the advice you have given!

So, I just got off the phone with my oral surgeon's office. They said since it released and the pain has gone down that I don't have to worry about it. If it starts to swell up call them.

Never told me anything to take care of it so I will just continue with salt water rinses.

Erica,

There is no way anyone can diagnose you over the phone or on the internet as to whether or not that swelling is associated with an infection. Salt water rinses should be continued but it may not take care of the problem. It really should be looked at. As I said earlier.... a post op appointment is always scheduled after third molar extractions. I don't know why they didn't give you one. Is there an oral surgeon closer to your home that you could go see?

Bryanna