Originally Posted by Jimbo

Thanks Bryanna,
Last night it finally seemed to be subsiding, and today (day 7) it is noticeably better and less painful. The pain did have some crazy flashes of pain throughout the jaw and considerable referred pain to other teeth, so I was a bit concerned about dry socket. I have been taking it easy and lots of water, ect, just had hoped the healing would happen quicker
When I was in the chair insisting the periodontal ligament be removed, the surgeon said "well, that will be a little more invasive and involve a little more trauma and time to heal"- to which I replied "Thank you!" He said he believed that infection occurs when the socket is not fully cleaned, but didn't feel the ligament was an issue, hence my earlier concern that he might not have done what I wanted. It is my mouth after all! When I reflect on how long he scraped for, it seemed like 10 minutes, it was pretty uncomfortable and went on for awhile... he probably did just what I asked

Today is the day I begin the irrigation of the socket! Looking forward to that. I think part of the problem is I was mostly using cold salt water to rinse, living on a boat, long story...

I wouldn't consider tobacco use and try to eat mostly an anti-inflammation diet; the result of following guidance from a naturopathic doctor after some serious health issues. A bit of my history, as you seem interested in this stuff and my life kinda reads like a good novel... At 41 years old in Central America, I collapsed with intense abdominal pain and vomiting blood. A tiny clinic declared my appendix had ruptured and after 8 hours of arguing I finally agreed to the operation; when I awoke they had preformed an intestinal re-section - no tests to confirm anything but they said they found necrotic tissue of the small bowel.

Upon return to the US and undergoing every possible test, it was declared I had a bleeding ulcer and probably encountered an intestinal infection. Wow.
I began to re-think some of my life choices...

So I started a really good diet and was amazed how good it felt. I took an interest in my teeth after stumbling onto the mercury scandal, and 3 years ago had 5 bottom molar amalgam fillings removed, mindfully by a naturopathic dentist, but #20 had gotten too bad some 16 years ago and I had a old school root canal on it in Ensenada Mexico, for $80 as I recall The temp filling he used fell out in months, I was a UC student at the time they had a clinic, and they filled it and put a post in it which lasted 10 years, never did get the tooth crowned. It was always sensitive, and dentists agreed that some nerve remained, and lately some "shadowing" underneath. After I once again had it filled and temporarily capped, I had an oral CT scan done (3 years ago) at a dental school and they were concerned about a "lesion" on the tooth, whatever that means.

It has always been sensitive and the last year very hard to eat on. I was going to get work done on it last fall (re-do the root canal) but pressures of work made for a big delay, yuk. I would get crazy throbbing in it..
Fast forward to Feb- I get severe intestinal pain and end up going in- diverticulitis. Heavy antibiotics (which I abhor, but in this case a must) and it goes away, but I notice as it does the pain in my tooth comes and goes too. It is as if when one hurts, the other does not. Then I see that chart about #20 being involved somehow with diverticulitis, and I can't help but wonder what role this tooth has played in my health...
Funny, the old tooth looks healthy and white, except where the post was in, there it is black, no smell to it. Amazing how long a half-dead tooth was in my mouth, while I believed there was no greater good than "saving the tooth." And furthermore how hard it was to find dentists who speak this language of whole-body connection, in the SF Bay area, is unreal.

I do have to think more about this wisdom tooth- and be able to plan a week to deal with recovery if I extract. Money is a huge issue too. The local hospital will extract for free if they deem it infected, and they said all the work is done by oral surgeons, but I think this means they are in training?
Seems better to pay for experience here...?

I see and understand the uncertainty folks have about losing a tooth, but I must say I have zero doubt this was another great move in my quest for a long and healthy life. And I do appreciate you taking the time Bryanna to help folks understand all the options and possibilities, soo nice to meet someone kind and supportive