Hi,

I had a wisdom tooth extraction yesterday, but just one - the lower molar (#17, I think) with the cyst, as my OS felt that there were significant risks to my sinuses with the upper.

Anyhow, I've been trying to follow the post-op instruction as carefully as possible, but I recently attempted to eat a very small amount of plain oatmeal at room temperature and it's possible a very small bit of it traveled to my left side (i.e., the extraction area). However, I'm not sure if I should try and get it out, if indeed it still resides there, as that's presumably where a blood clot is hopefully forming. What I did instead was rinse very gently with Peridex (Chlorhexidine Gluconate, IIRC). However, very stupidly, I forgot not to spit it out - the spitting was gentle, but still, I now wonder if I've disturbed things.

Anyhow, as a result of the above I'm somewhat anxious to see if the socket is healing or not, but am also anxious to not screw things up further by feeling around with my fingers or even my tongue. Anyhow, any advice as to what precautions, if any, I should take at this point would be appreciated!

- John, who will stick to Ensure drinks for the weekend

Yes, I had several extractions this year too. Oatmeal should not hurt. I would use no product other than light salt water to "gently rinse" area. You want that clot to stay in there. Sometimes the top of the area, can appear whitish, so it may not be oatmeal stuck in there. Try Jello, fruit nectar, broth, not hot foods. Rest and sleep alot. Try not to put your tongue into the area. That part drove me nuts as I wanted to do that. It will be OK, take the pain med. relax, keep in touch. Give it time to heal. NT will be here for you. Cool compresses help too with swelling. Try not to be afraid of bad results. It has just been a little while. I had more swelling the third day for some reason, and I just used some cool compresses again. Sleep and rest as much as possible. ginnie

Thank you for your reply - your mood reads "stressed", so I hope you feel better soon as well! Btw, the rinsing product I'm using was prescribed by my OS, so I will probably stick with it, but if it gives me trouble for some reason I'll likely switch to salt water. I'm still confused as to how much of the mouthwash should contact the actual extraction site. I'm trying to be careful, but if the point of it is to clean the area and prevent infections, I suppose I should let it do so?

Anyhow, thanks again for your response and best wishes,

- John

Hi John,

So glad that you had that wisdom tooth removed...yay!!

Now about the oatmeal episode.... DO NOT try to remove anything from the surgical area. Small amounts of food debris is not a concern. Also, do not rinse with the peridex more than you are suppose to. Over rinsing can disturb the clot. Some oral surgeons prescribe peridex, others prefer warm salt water. Do as your oral surgeon prescribes unless the peridex causes irritation, then switch to salt water. Also, it is important to eat nutritiously, so definitely stick to soft healthy foods.... like oatmeal! Do not drink through a straw, just drink normal from a cup. Do not use any cold compresses or ice on the face after the first 24 hours as this could cause swelling as the blood pools in the area. However, warm moist compresses on the outside of that side of the face are soothing and can keep the blood flowing really well which can actually reduce swelling.

What did the surgeon say about the cyst? Are you in any pain?

Bryanna

Thanks for your response, Bryanna, it's great to hear from you. The cyst has been taken for a biopsy to determine if it is liable to return. According to my OS, it normally does not, but apparently some types are more prone to a re-occurrence than others.

As far as pain, it's strange - I'm in practically no pain whatsoever today and am taking no pain medication. I was of course in quite definite pain yesterday, and eventually took some sort of codine-esque pill (Lortab) for that. Swelling is noticeable but mild. Could the nerves be numbed still?

Anyhow, my chief concern is, as ever, for the socket itself and will try to keep away from it as much as possible. Is talking a bad idea? The whole jaw stills feels a little funky and I'm a bit loath to exert it much just yet. Also, I guess I've gone overboard with the mouthwash - I've used it about three times today (maybe twice, I forget exactly), but my written post-op instructions are to use it twice a day - somehow I got confused by something else I was reading online which encouraged more frequent rinsing. I suppose this means I should avoid using it until tomorrow? Also, if it did mess up the clot, would/could I know by now either from A) the typical symptoms of ridiculously large amounts of pain, or B) visible signs of something amiss in the general area? And, if the latter, is there much point in having a professional examine it tomorrow?

In any event, thanks so much for your helpful advice and support.

Love,

- John

Hi John,

I'm glad that the surgeon is having the cyst biopsied. You will probably get the results at your post op appointment.

Talking is okay.... just go with your instincts on how much or how little to use your jaw. It's good that you are comfortable and if there is no need to take the pain meds, then don't. If within the next few days you develop sudden pain or a throbbing pain that requires meds to relieve it, then you should consult the surgeon. Otherwise, you may not have any further discomfort..... just some weird sensations as the area is healing.

Use the peridex as prescribed only. After about a week, you can rinse with warm salt water twice a day also.

Glad to hear you are doing well!

Bryanna

Hi John,
Yes I am stressed, but I try hard not to let that rub off on others seeking comfort. I have to sell my home, and I do have a bunch of medical troubles. I come back here on a regular basis to help myself, and to help others. I just know what it means, to be afraid, in pain, and facing some icky things. If it were not for all the good souls here, my mood would be alot more serious than stressed!
How are you today? do you feel better or about the same? I guess the reason why I stated salt water, as my surgeon said, no mouthwash at all for my healing process. Bryanna said something about that at one time also.
I do hope you are better today.
I am on the gulf coast, and it is wet and wild down here. We had some gusts, which I hollered over! The storm doesn't yet know where it is going. Much like my own life. Have a good day, take care of yourself. ginnie

I'm terribly sorry to hear about your troubles, ginnie, and it is with much sadness that I see yet again how medieval my country's approach to medicine can be. When good people like you are treated badly it shames every one of us.

Anyhow, it's been nearly a week since my extraction - I'm probably going to try and be careful for another week with obviously sketchy foods (popcorn, etc.) but I figure I can eat most things at this point, eh? My jaw is still somewhat sore on my left side and doesn't seem to want to open very far, but I suspect that will gradually improve over time.

Thank you both again for your help, and hang in there, ginnie - I hear the Gulf is a crazy place this time of year, but, hey, it ain't boring!

Love,

- John

Yes, your jaw will feel better day by day. Sure, eat, slowly carefully. Sounds like you are on the mend.
Yes I am ashamed of the way our country treats health in general. That is the reason I am loosing my home. I don't get enough from disability to keep my paid for home. Don't get enough for taxes. No clause around for the disabled to get a break, unless paralized neck down. I have no idea what I am going to do and that is the truth.
I had pre-existing conditions, excluded me altogether from the insurance pool. when I got sick, there went what two generations saved for....
Dental is not covered. I just got blessed when I found a dentist who will let me pay what I can when I can, even nothing....I make sure I give her regular payments because of her mercy.
I don't know what the new health care clause will mean for any of us. My housemate, has no health insurance. She just doesn't make enough for an $800 per month policy, the cheapest I can find. She is in the same boat I was in, lacking any health care, just as scarry.
Lets hope that this new health care offers some kind of improvement, and not turn into a disaster for the poor. After all they are the ones that can't afford it to begin with.
Keep getting better, I think you are over the hump now. Keep taking care of your oral health, I sure am now! ginnie

Hi John,

Glad to hear you're doing okay!

As for your diet..... stay on a soft food diet for another 2 weeks if you can.... eat nothing with seeds or anything that requires a lot of chewing like almonds or steak, nothing sticky like raisins or anything else that would stick in your teeth. It is important to not over use your jaw muscles.... the limitation with the opening is telling you to take it easy and not rush into regular eating yet.

John, you have been a good patient..... gold stars for you sir


Bryanna