Hi!

It's been almost 3 weeks since I had the extraction, bone graft, and 2 implants placed. I'm still sore-both the bone, and the tissue. The tissue still seems sore, and perhaps a little inflamed-but it's not red or inflamed inflamed, just been through a lot inflamed. There is a white spot slightly to the side of the surgical site-I can't decide if it's a sore, or a piece of the bone graft working through. I don't think it's an abscess-I've had those before.

I've been sticking with soft food, but had Korean bbq (read, lots of meat) so I gave my jaw more of a workout than normal and could have irritated without realizing it.

Is this ok? I have lupus so I heal slower. I haven't called the dentist to ask because he'll want to see me and I just started a new job, so I need to keep my out of office time to a minimum-but don't want to neglect my health if I really need to go in. I tried to take a pic, bit it's too far back.

One other thing, not sure is matters, but the other side the jaw is super sore. I'm assuming its because that side has to do all the work now. It hurts when I chew on that side-not just on the molar, but any chewing on the other side borders on painful.

Hi socasuie,

I would expect you to still be pretty sore. You had a lot of dental surgery in that area and you are asking your immune system to deal with a lot at one time.... especially since you have lupus. Honestly, I am a little surprised that your dentist did all of that dentistry at one time... but I guess he felt it was best. I really don't know.

The white spot... I cannot even speculate on what that is without a picture. It could be a canker sore starting, a piece of bone or a fistula forming. If it gets any worse or you notice more inflammation, you should see your dentist.

I also read your other post about your "chewing" side being painful. This is most likely due to over using it to chew your food. You ideally should not be eating anything that requires much chewing. So it is best to now back off of chewing as much as possible and stick to soft foods and liquid foods to give the jaw muscles a rest It is actually healthy to "drink" the majority of your meals. SO LONG as they are healthy drinks that include various green and colored veggies, fruits and NO sugar.

Bryanna

Thanks Bryanna!

The dentist did it that way at the request of my rheumatologist. He was comfortable that it would heal ok. For some reason, any dental work whether a filling or an extraction sets off my lupus the same, and I already have to do the exact same thing on the other side after this side is complete-my rheumy felt "bundling" would be best for my body overall. Like it sets it off to the point my doctor looks at my lab works and asks if I got my teeth cleaned or dental work. It's crazy!

I think it's bone-it got sharp, lol.

Ok, I'll ease off the chewing an go back to liquids/soft. But hey, I have an excuse to make more soft tofu soup!

Thank you again for everything! If the sharp thing gets worse or doesn't improve, I'll for sure go back to the dentist.

Socasusie,

You are welcome!

If the white spot is sharp bone, then it may be a bony fragment/sliver from your actual jaw bone and not the graft. These occur frequently after a tooth extraction. Sometimes they work themselves out and sometimes they have to be helped out. It is usually not a big ordeal to have them removed. Most dentists will take a wait and see approach to these unless they become very irritating, painful or infected.

Hoping you continue to heal well and your "good" side feels better soon

Bryanna

I just wanted to post a quick follow-up. I had a follow-up. It was a bone shard-I didn't ask where from, he just pulled it out-it didn't need stitches. I've had a few more sores pop up. Apparently, it's a common side effect when you start Cellcept. Love that my dentist knows that actually knows what Lupus is! He had me do some baking soda rinses for a few days, and it cleared them right up.

I've been good with the soft food, and the jaw hasn't hurt since. Although I won't lie, I'd give my right arm for some red meat. Hahaha.

Also, just FYI I did talk to a nutritionist this week. We discussed probiotics. So in addition to taking probiotics daily, to consider taking the drink Bio K whenever you take antibiotics. Apparently it's super potent and gives an extra kick. You have to get it at a Heath food store though. She said use 1-2 bottles each round of antibiotics. I just thought I'd share since I know you're big on probiotics. She suggested I try Xylitol mints after meals, and sip a little in water to help strengthen my teeth. It brings the PH back to less acidic levels.

Thak you again for all your help and support!

Hi socasusie,

Glad to hear he was able to remove the splinter of bone. You may or may not develop more of them.

My personal concern with supplementing with a product like Bio K is that it contains ingredients that have no nutritional value and can actually cause unnecessary side effects. I personally prefer whole food or higher quality supplements that contain no fillers or additives as they are just better absorbed and overall just healthier.

Yes, xylitol does alter the acidity of the saliva to be more alkaline. This is a good thing

Bryanna