I had my wisdom tooth taken out 5 days ago and it is still throbbing, two days after having it out i caught tonsilitis, not sure how but socket might of got infected and caused it, anyway my tonsils are clearing up as i am on antibiotics but my socket and my jaw still hurt like hell. I was just wondering if this is normal as it was quite a bad and rough extraction so may take longer to heal so will phone my dentist monday but in the mean time anyone got any advise you could give me please?

Call the oral surgeon and tell him about your throbbing pain. DO you have any pain medicine to take? You could call him today...they all have answering services..He may call you back!

Hi Amy,

Has the throbbing increased over the last few days? Do you have any swelling or a fever? Are you rinsing with any mouthwash or putting anything into the socket? Do you smoke or drink alcohol? Do you use decongestants or take medication that causes you to have a dry mouth?

If the throbbing has increased it could indicate a dry socket. If you smoke, drink alcohol, rinse with mouthwash containing chemicals and alcohol, or use certain meds ... you could also have developed a dry socket.

If the throbbing is not decreased by taking OTC pain meds then call the OS office and ask the service to have the OS call you back. If it is manageable and you think you can wait until Monday, call him then if it is still throbbing.

Bryanna

Thanks Bryanna-

When I had my wisdom teeth out, many years ago, I developed dry sockets x4....it was terrible pain.

The OMF doc gave me Tylenonol 3 and packed the wounds w/ clove flavored packing....I lost at least 10 lbs from that experience.

Stacy

Hi Stacy,

Oh that is miserable :/

Dry sockets can be very painful and really do need intervention to stop the pain. They usually irrigate the site with saline and then pack it with a 2x2 impregnated with a clove and anesthetic solution. The pain usually subsides very quickly. But the packing tends to fall out and should be changed once a day or every other day for about a week. Otherwise the pain will come back.

Bryanna

Thanks Bryanna-

No one ever advises about dry sockets. I thought I was going insane w/ pain..He did chnage the packing every other day...I think he used 1/2" packing strips w/ the clove mixture...Just tasting the clove flavoring bothered me enough not to be able to eat for a week. This was way before I was a nurse.

Stacy

Stacy,

Yea, the clove taste is a bit nasty... but it sure does work! That is an old time remedy and it is still used today!

Patients should be forewarned about dry sockets as well as a host of other things ..... that they are not unfortunately. That is often why they end up here!

Bryanna