Hello all,

I feel like I might be going a little crazy or that I'm just a big ol' baby. Either way, I'd like to know if this is normal

I had all four wisdom teeth extracted 2 weeks and 3 days ago; all four of them had not broken through but were impacted and therefore I was given oral sedation and went through the surgery. One was even under the bone and was quite difficult to extract.

I am not a smoker nor did I use a straw, but I ended up with two dry sockets along with a hole by the difficult tooth that was caused by a stitch popping and not letting the hole close properly. I went to the dentist to have the sockets packed and he said the hole would heal on its own, which it almost has, and he gave me the usual syringe to flush things out.

With all that being said and now that you know my background, I just have a couple of questions:

1 - I am still experiencing dry-socket like pain that goes from the bottom extraction sites to my ears. It is DEFINITELY not as intense (I've never experience pain like dry socket pain) but it's still annoying. It feels like I have an infection in both ears or like there is pressure causing the pain. I do have some sinus drainage that usually accompanies my sinus pain, but the whole ear thing is not normal for me. Is it normal that my jaw still feels sore and the pain is in my ears this long ( over 2 weeks ) after my surgery?

2 - I *still* can't open my mouth 100% all the way. It's getting better, which is a good sign, but it still feels tight. Is that good or no?

I guess my biggest fear(s) is that something else is wrong - infection, something happened with my sinuses, etc. I just can't believe that I'm still experiencing these aches, although they are dull, after the surgery. The dentist told me that I didn't need to flush my dry sockets any more, only rinse. The dry sockets were STILL acting up even up to a day ago, but are progressively getting better.

Sorry this is SO long! I just needed some reassurance Thank you in advance!

Hi RHY,

I am in the dental field and will offer you my thoughts here. I am posting your questions and my reply in bold.

<<1 - I am still experiencing dry-socket like pain that goes from the bottom extraction sites to my ears. It is DEFINITELY not as intense (I've never experience pain like dry socket pain) but it's still annoying. It feels like I have an infection in both ears or like there is pressure causing the pain. I do have some sinus drainage that usually accompanies my sinus pain, but the whole ear thing is not normal for me. Is it normal that my jaw still feels sore and the pain is in my ears this long ( over 2 weeks ) after my surgery?>>
YES, IT WOULD BE NORMAL FOR YOUR JAW TO STILL BE SORE. THE PAIN IN YOUR EARS CAN BE DUE TO SEVERAL THINGS. ONE IS INFLAMMATION AND ANTHER IS TMJ. BOTH AGAIN WOULD BE NORMAL AFTER WISDOM TOOTH EXTRACTIONS. THE SINUS DRAINAGE AND SINUS PAIN MAY OR MAY NOT BE RELATED TO THE EXTRACTIONS. IF THAT PERSISTS OR IF YOUR EAR PAIN WORSENS, THEN SEE THE ORAL SURGEON FOR EVALUATION.

<<2 - I *still* can't open my mouth 100% all the way. It's getting better, which is a good sign, but it still feels tight. Is that good or no?>>
NORMAL. DON'T TRY TO FORCE IT AS THAT WILL IRRITATE THE MUSCULAR AREAS AND THE TMJ JOINT. DO NOT OPEN MORE THAN IS COMFORTABLE. AS THE INFLAMMATION SUBSIDES, THE JAW WILL OPEN FULLY AGAIN. IF YOU FORCE IT YOU COULD CAUSE SPASMS IN THE MUSCLE AND THAT WOULD BE PAINFUL AND DIFFICULT TO RELEASE.

<<I guess my biggest fear(s) is that something else is wrong - infection, something happened with my sinuses, etc. I just can't believe that I'm still experiencing these aches, although they are dull, after the surgery. The dentist told me that I didn't need to flush my dry sockets any more, only rinse. The dry sockets were STILL acting up even up to a day ago, but are progressively getting better.>>
IF YOUR SYMPTOMS ARE NOT IMPROVING, THEN SEE THE ORAL SURGEON. OTHERWISE ALL THAT YOU HAVE WRITTEN IS NORMAL FOR MANY PEOPLE

I hope this has been reassuring to you. By now hopefully you are feeling even better!!
Bryanna

I am getting better each day, thank you!! the sinus drainage and pain has subsided, so I don't think it was related, just like you said. Thanks again!!

I too had a tooth extracted over a week ago. I was dx with dry socket and I have been in excruciated pain ever since. My OS performed debridement and irrigation but never packed it or provided me with a syringe to clean out socket. It has been 2 days since my debridement (more than a week since the extraction) and I still have pain (not as bad but still pretty painful). In addition I have pain that starts in the extraction site all the way to my ear. I also wonder how long the pain lasts or if there is something else wrong - even another dry socket (which I dread). At any point did your other teeth ache? My extraction was a bottom molar and I even have pressure in my upper teeth...

Hi Sadieyaa,

Your symptoms of a dry socket are expected.... the pain will radiate to other areas. The good news is that the site will eventually heal. But it can take a few weeks and hopefully your symptoms will lessen every day. If for any reason they intensify, go back to the oral surgeon.

In the meantime....
No smoking because it contributes to dry socket and deprives the oral tissue of oxygen. No drinking alcohol until the socket is closed because alcohol in any form will also contribute to dry socket as it reduces the salivary flow and irritates the oral tissue.

Keep your mouth very clean. Thoroughly brush and floss all of your teeth. Do not rinse with any mouthwash like Listerine because it will irritate the surgical site and slow down the healing response... could even prevent the site from healing completely. Rinse with warm salt water 3 x's a day until the surgical hole is closed.

Eat a nutritious diet, no sugar or sugar substitutes, no soda (diet or otherwise), rich in veggies, low sugar fruit and protein. Drink plenty of filtered water throughout the day as this helps to eliminate bacteria and toxins that build up in the renal system after surgery. All of these things will help in the healing process and can speed it along.

Do not try to clean anything out of the socket. Just avoid eating there and keep your mouth clean with proper oral hygiene and salt water rinses.

I hope you feel better soon!
Bryanna