I'm really hoping for any advice. It's only been one day since my upper molar extraction but I'm not swollen and although a bit sore, it's minimal for now. I'm really terrified about dry socket and keep thinking this may be the calm before the storm. I keep reading that people think they're improving and then after a few days, they get dry socket and the worst pain imaginable.

I've been following my dentists advice sheet about aftercare but regarding eating, it just says to avoid foods that are hard or crunchy, and eat on the opposite side. I feel too scared to put any food in there in case something gets near the hole. I've managed a yogurt but just a spoonful of mashed potato scared me and I didn't eat any more. I'm now really hungry. I'm also too scared to brush my teeth as I keep thinking that some toothpaste might get in there too and irritate it.

Does anyone know when it is safe to eat something, and when I can be sure my risk of dry socket is over?

Hi ripply,

Most of the time, there are NO post op complications. The typical sign of a dry socket developing is on the 3rd to 4th day post op, you suddenly develop pain. If that occurs, do not wait to see the oral surgeon .... go see him so the socket can be treated. The sooner you have it treated the better the outcome.

Regarding eating... it is imperative that you eat a whole foods nutritious diet. You need healthy nutrition to heal properly. If you don't eat or you eat refined foods/junk then your immune system will be compromised and complications can occur. You need to stay hydrated by drinking water, nothing else, throughout the day for several days. This helps to flush out any toxins or bacteria that are filtering through your system.

Some food choices are:
Soft foods that do not require a lot of chewing. Like vegetables, mashed potatoes (sweet potatoes are very nutritious), any fruit without seeds, sliced apples and pears, baked chicken, eggs, make fruit and vegetable smoothies in the blender.....

Do not be afraid to eat. Eat mindfully and try to stay on the opposite side of your mouth. A little food debris is NOT going to affect or hurt the extraction site. Be sure to rinse 3-4 times with warm salt water, gently, today and tomorrow. By the fourth-fifth day you can rinse a bit more aggressively and increase that intensity as the days go on.

Brushing your teeth.... it is imperative that you brush your teeth to keep the plaque down. Plaque is sticking bacteria that builds up quickly on the teeth and around the gum line if it is not removed every day. This bacteria can cause infection and pain and will inhibit the healing of the extraction. It is not necessary to use any toothpaste and avoid any mouthwash. Just use a soft wet toothbrush. But make sure you brush twice a day and floss all of your teeth at night.

The key to healing without complications is to keep the mouth clean and healthy. You can do this by eating nutritiously, rinsing with warm salt water and brushing/flossing your teeth every day.

I hope this information is helpful to you.

Bryanna

I feel much more reassured about it now. I'll still be anxious about dry socket for a while but it's good to hear it's rare. I keep reading about it and it convinced me it was really common. I'm on clindamycin so I'm just hoping that will help somewhat.

I can understand that I won't heal properly if I don't eat so I'm going to make an effort. I think I'll try some mashed sweet potato. I am using the salt water rinses and being very gentle with it so hopefully if any food gets near the hole, the salt water will help. It's good to know I don't need to use toothpaste to brush, as I was really worried it would irritate it.

Thanks Bryanna, it's very kind of you to take the time to help me with this.

ripply,

You are very welcome!

Clindamycin.... you need to eat with this medication or your intestines will become upset and you could end up with some issues even weeks from now. You also need to supplement with a probiotic, not just yogurt.... unless you make your own home made yogurt with kefir and no sugar...? Commercial yogurt that you buy in the supermarket is not real healthy and there is virtually little to no good live bacteria remaining in it after processing.

You can purchase probiotic supplements at the supermarket or health or drug store. One that is easy to get and very helpful is called Culturelle. Take it twice a day while on the antibiotic but be sure to take it one hour prior to a dose of clindamycin or both things will be ineffective. You should start to take this asap. Continue taking it twice a day for 7 days after the last clinda pill and then continue once a day for at least 3 months to help replenish your intestinal flora with good bacteria. Antibiotics kill the good bacteria in the intestinal tract which can make you very ill and this is why you have to supplement with a probiotic.

Bryanna

I'll see if I can find Culturelle locally but if not, I've just found it online. The reviews do seem excellent for it. I know these antibiotics are not good for my stomach. I knew about probiotics but was never really sure of what type/brand was good. Hopefully, they'll help prevent any problems.

How are you doing now ripply? I hope that the extraction is healing properly. I understand your anxiety because when I had to have a tooth extracted I was very nervous about getting a dry socket, but all turned out fine.

I'm doing much better now. Thank you for asking, Tom. I think with every day that goes by, I get a little less anxious about it. I can eat most normal food now as long as they're not hard. I think it's healing ok but I don't really know because I've never had a big hole like this in my mouth before. It started off covered with whitish/greyish stuff but now it's changing to more pink/red. I'm still doing the salt water rinses. Tomorrow morning, it will be a week since the extraction, although I keep reading about people who got dry socket two weeks after.