[dydx1]

Hi All, how exactly do you do this?

My lower left extraction site has been oozing brown fluid for days and I finally got in today to get some antibiotics, and was told to irrigate the site after every meal. The Dr flushed it twice and a LOT of fluid came out and it felt great. I tried to do it myself recently and dont know if I'm doing it properly as it stung but nothing came out. Do you go at it from the side of the site or do you plug the syringe straight in from the top? thats where mine is leaking from.

Doc didn't say anything about my other extractions (had all 4 removed). Should I be irrigating the other lower site as well? There's no leakage at that site at all but I'm still generally tender in both sites equally.

Thanks!

[Bryanna]

Hi dydx1,

You will not necessarily get anything to come out of the socket each time you irrigate it. Frequently irrigating the socket will irritate it and slow down the healing. Also, if you do not eat on that side of your mouth, then it is not necessary to irrigate the site after every meal. You should however be rinsing 3-4 times a day with warm salt water until the surgical wounds close over with gum tissue.

Why did he prescribe an antibiotic? Did he say you have an infection? If you are not clear on that, please call his office and ask specifically if he thinks you have an infection. Do not let the reception nonchalantly tell you that it's okay to take the antibiotic... or since he prescribed the meds that it is to assume that you have an infection. You want that receptionist to ask the doctor very specifically if he thinks you have an infection.

Antibiotics are horribly over prescribed and should only be prescribed for infection. Many people assume that antibiotics are a benign medication, meaning no harm can come from taking them. The truth is that antibiotics can cause intestinal problems to occur that are not only uncomfortable but can lead to further intestinal problems that can be difficult to eradicate.

I cannot tell you if you need the antibiotic or not.... only the oral surgeon can as he evaluated you clinically.

I hope this information is helpful.
Bryanna

Originally Posted by dydx1

Hi All, how exactly do you do this?

My lower left extraction site has been oozing brown fluid for days and I finally got in today to get some antibiotics, and was told to irrigate the site after every meal. The Dr flushed it twice and a LOT of fluid came out and it felt great. I tried to do it myself recently and dont know if I'm doing it properly as it stung but nothing came out. Do you go at it from the side of the site or do you plug the syringe straight in from the top? thats where mine is leaking from.

Doc didn't say anything about my other extractions (had all 4 removed). Should I be irrigating the other lower site as well? There's no leakage at that site at all but I'm still generally tender in both sites equally.

Thanks!

[dydx1]

Thank you Bryanna.

I'm sorry that I wasn't super clear. I had my surgery last Wednesday and this is the worst day that I've had thus far, with headaches and extremely low levels of energy. ALl I've been eating is yogurt and mashed potatoes and am unsure when to start progressing. It's hard to bite because my left cheek (same side as oozing) is swollen and felt like it had a hard lump in my cheek.

The doctor (I think oral surgeon resident) saw me on an emergency basis today and told me it looked like a "little infection". He looked around and I told him my symptoms (almost constant brown and terribly smelling/tasting liquid oozing from the socket). He flushed it twice and told me to do this many times and that the more I did it the better. He gave me amoxicillin and metronidazole to take for the week. I'm not used to taking pills and two at a time is a lot for me. I stopped taking the ibuprofen that I was prescribed because I didn't want to be managing 3 kinds. I feel as though, like I said, that the pain I'm getting is fairly equal between the bottom two sites even though one is causing me a lot more trouble ooze wise than the other. Maybe I need to keep taking the ibuprofen.

Thank you for your wise insight. My biggest goal is to get some energy back and to start trying new food. That constant gross taste in my mouth has made these last 6 days especially difficult. I hope that things start to turn around quickly.

[dydx1]

Sorry to double post. I noticed also when he flushed me that I can see a white spot in the hole (bone?) should I let the stuff ooze out or should I be trying to bite tea bags and form a clot?

[Bryanna]

dydx,

There are many things you can eat that are soft as limiting your diet to a couple of foods is not nourishing and that is one reason why you have no energy :/ You get nutrients from the foods that you eat... the less variety of whole foods that you eat the worse you are going to feel.

Google soft food diet and you will come up with lots of healthy choices. Eggs, apple sauce, sauted or boiled vegetables, any fruit (no seeds), oatmeal, hummus, baked chicken or fish, sweet potatoes, soups, stews, smoothies, shakes, soft cheeses, etc.,

You need to be seen by an oral surgeon for a proper evaluation. Did you have the extractions done at a dental school by a student?

Your description may indicate a dry socket which needs to be treated by the oral surgeon. He will pack the site with a clove smelling medication that will need to be changed every couple of days by him until the site starts to heal on it's own. Irrigating it at home will not heal that condition and can cause the socket to become even more dry which can result in an incomplete healing of the bone. I'm sorry but the "dentist" that you saw today was not correct in his suggestion about the irrigation.

The pain meds are not going to cure the problem either. They will reduce the inflammation temporarily but the best remedy is to have the socket treated by the dentist. He should also check the other lower socket also to make sure it too is not a (milder) dry socket.

Don't be afraid to expect to see the oral surgeon. You need to get the proper treatment and should not have to suffer like this. Remember, the squeaky wheel always gets the oil!

Bryanna

Originally Posted by dydx1

Thank you Bryanna.

I'm sorry that I wasn't super clear. I had my surgery last Wednesday and this is the worst day that I've had thus far, with headaches and extremely low levels of energy. ALl I've been eating is yogurt and mashed potatoes and am unsure when to start progressing. It's hard to bite because my left cheek (same side as oozing) is swollen and felt like it had a hard lump in my cheek.

The doctor (I think oral surgeon resident) saw me on an emergency basis today and told me it looked like a "little infection". He looked around and I told him my symptoms (almost constant brown and terribly smelling/tasting liquid oozing from the socket). He flushed it twice and told me to do this many times and that the more I did it the better. He gave me amoxicillin and metronidazole to take for the week. I'm not used to taking pills and two at a time is a lot for me. I stopped taking the ibuprofen that I was prescribed because I didn't want to be managing 3 kinds. I feel as though, like I said, that the pain I'm getting is fairly equal between the bottom two sites even though one is causing me a lot more trouble ooze wise than the other. Maybe I need to keep taking the ibuprofen.

Thank you for your wise insight. My biggest goal is to get some energy back and to start trying new food. That constant gross taste in my mouth has made these last 6 days especially difficult. I hope that things start to turn around quickly.

[Bryanna]

dydx,

That white spot could be the bone.... indicating a dry socket that needs to be treated by the oral surgeon. This indicates that the clot either did not form properly at the onset or it was disturbed early on.

You are not going to form a clot because the stuff oozing out is blood filled with bacteria. The site needs to be treated as I mentioned. He may need to debride the socket and get some blood flowing in there to deliberately form a new clot. That is not something you can achieve yourself at home.

Please go back and see the oral surgeon.
Bryanna

Originally Posted by dydx1

Sorry to double post. I noticed also when he flushed me that I can see a white spot in the hole (bone?) should I let the stuff ooze out or should I be trying to bite tea bags and form a clot?

[dydx1]

Originally Posted by Bryanna

Hi dydx1,

You will not necessarily get anything to come out of the socket each time you irrigate it. Frequently irrigating the socket will irritate it and slow down the healing. Also, if you do not eat on that side of your mouth, then it is not necessary to irrigate the site after every meal. You should however be rinsing 3-4 times a day with warm salt water until the surgical wounds close over with gum tissue.

Why did he prescribe an antibiotic? Did he say you have an infection? If you are not clear on that, please call his office and ask specifically if he thinks you have an infection. Do not let the reception nonchalantly tell you that it's okay to take the antibiotic... or since he prescribed the meds that it is to assume that you have an infection. You want that receptionist to ask the doctor very specifically if he thinks you have an infection.

Antibiotics are horribly over prescribed and should only be prescribed for infection. Many people assume that antibiotics are a benign medication, meaning no harm can come from taking them. The truth is that antibiotics can cause intestinal problems to occur that are not only uncomfortable but can lead to further intestinal problems that can be difficult to eradicate.

I cannot tell you if you need the antibiotic or not.... only the oral surgeon can as he evaluated you clinically.

I hope this information is helpful.
Bryanna

Originally Posted by Bryanna

dydx,

That white spot could be the bone.... indicating a dry socket that needs to be treated by the oral surgeon. This indicates that the clot either did not form properly at the onset or it was disturbed early on.

You are not going to form a clot because the stuff oozing out is blood filled with bacteria. The site needs to be treated as I mentioned. He may need to debride the socket and get some blood flowing in there to deliberately form a new clot. That is not something you can achieve yourself at home.

Please go back and see the oral surgeon.
Bryanna

Thank you so much Bryanna.

I had all 4 extracted at the hospital by a qualified oral surgeon. HOwever from here on out if I have difficulty the person who sees me is a oral surgeon resident (student?) as he takes all the emergency appointments or fit in appointments I guess. I called the nurse this morning and she told me my surgeon wasn't in today and didn't tell me when he would be in. I asked if I could have a follow up and that was her response. I think she's getting annoyed. I think he only works once a week so maybe tomorrow he would be in. Should I wait until then to go down?

Since he irrigated that problem socket I no longer have pain and the oozing is very minimal. I haven't been irrigating it myself because I have no confidence in doing so. I try to spray some salt warm water on it but am not confident digging into the wound that isn't healed.

Now, the problem is my OTHER lower socket (seems strange that this would happen since yesterday when I saw the resident) is oozing the way my left one was and I can feel some pressure/ mild pain but nothing that has required ibuprofen overnight.

Do I just let it ooze out? Do I go back down and see the resident today (nurse said he will just flush that one) or take my chances and wait until tomorrow and HOPEFULLY (but still maybe not) catch my actual surgeon.

I'm very panicky about this because I'm going home for the holidays in under a week. And am confused because my gut feeling was that the irrigating was going to leave me with more problems (that lower left socket seems to be "sunk" down a lot now compared to the one on the right that's oozing) which you also think too.

And thank you for the food suggestions. I guess I have somewhat been starving myself because I'm so paranoid about getting food in the infected wounds (and that I have braces and chewing is generally difficult anyway) but I need to take more chances.

[Bryanna]

Hi dydx,

Extraction sites will generally ooze for the first 24-48 hours after the extraction. If the sites are still oozing a week later, that is not normal. I can only share with you what I know from my extensive dental experience as a chair side assistant and tell you what I would do if this were me. I would make it very clear, irrelevant of how annoyed someone gets, that I want to be evaluated by the oral surgeon who did the surgery. It is a good sign that the original site is improving, but not normal for the other side to start oozing at this point.

Common sense should tell any dentist that the average patient is not going to be comfortable or confident in irrigating an extraction site that is painful. So it is not your fault that you feel this way and should not be made to feel that way.

When you rinse with the warm salt water. rinse aggressively so as to be thorough and productive with the rinsing. The motion of rinsing can dislodge most debris that is caught in the wounds. If the wound is infected at the bone level, then all the rinsing in the world is not going to reach that area.

Your new symptoms on the one side are not normal for this time of healing. You should have all 4 sites evaluated by the original oral surgeon.

Braces and extractions and eating ..... oye. It is so imperative that you keep your mouth as clean as possible with brushing, flossing and tongue scraping. i know it's hard to clean your teeth with the braces on but spend the time using every gadget that you have to clean your teeth. It will be so worth it in the long run. Also, put some more effort into what you can eat that is soft and nutritious. Veggies, fruits, smoothies..... lean protein are your best options. I know this is difficult but please don't give up and crawl under a rock hoping this will all go away. You want to heal properly so that you do not end up with any additional problems down the road.

If you end up seeing the resident, I would suggest that you make it perfectly clear that you know your symptoms are not typical and would have appreciated if the oral surgeon had followed up when problems occurred and you want him to know that this is how you feel. This does not have to be done in a mean or suspicious manner... just being deliberate and matter of fact will get your point across. Believe me, you have every right to feel this way.

Make sure all 4 sites are checked especially since you plan on traveling soon.

Please check back when you can...
Bryanna

Originally Posted by dydx1

Thank you so much Bryanna.

I had all 4 extracted at the hospital by a qualified oral surgeon. HOwever from here on out if I have difficulty the person who sees me is a oral surgeon resident (student?) as he takes all the emergency appointments or fit in appointments I guess. I called the nurse this morning and she told me my surgeon wasn't in today and didn't tell me when he would be in. I asked if I could have a follow up and that was her response. I think she's getting annoyed. I think he only works once a week so maybe tomorrow he would be in. Should I wait until then to go down?

Since he irrigated that problem socket I no longer have pain and the oozing is very minimal. I haven't been irrigating it myself because I have no confidence in doing so. I try to spray some salt warm water on it but am not confident digging into the wound that isn't healed.

Now, the problem is my OTHER lower socket (seems strange that this would happen since yesterday when I saw the resident) is oozing the way my left one was and I can feel some pressure/ mild pain but nothing that has required ibuprofen overnight.

Do I just let it ooze out? Do I go back down and see the resident today (nurse said he will just flush that one) or take my chances and wait until tomorrow and HOPEFULLY (but still maybe not) catch my actual surgeon.

I'm very panicky about this because I'm going home for the holidays in under a week. And am confused because my gut feeling was that the irrigating was going to leave me with more problems (that lower left socket seems to be "sunk" down a lot now compared to the one on the right that's oozing) which you also think too.

And thank you for the food suggestions. I guess I have somewhat been starving myself because I'm so paranoid about getting food in the infected wounds (and that I have braces and chewing is generally difficult anyway) but I need to take more chances.

[dydx1]

Originally Posted by Bryanna

Hi dydx,

Extraction sites will generally ooze for the first 24-48 hours after the extraction. If the sites are still oozing a week later, that is not normal. I can only share with you what I know from my extensive dental experience as a chair side assistant and tell you what I would do if this were me. I would make it very clear, irrelevant of how annoyed someone gets, that I want to be evaluated by the oral surgeon who did the surgery. It is a good sign that the original site is improving, but not normal for the other side to start oozing at this point.

Common sense should tell any dentist that the average patient is not going to be comfortable or confident in irrigating an extraction site that is painful. So it is not your fault that you feel this way and should not be made to feel that way.

When you rinse with the warm salt water. rinse aggressively so as to be thorough and productive with the rinsing. The motion of rinsing can dislodge most debris that is caught in the wounds. If the wound is infected at the bone level, then all the rinsing in the world is not going to reach that area.

Your new symptoms on the one side are not normal for this time of healing. You should have all 4 sites evaluated by the original oral surgeon.

Braces and extractions and eating ..... oye. It is so imperative that you keep your mouth as clean as possible with brushing, flossing and tongue scraping. i know it's hard to clean your teeth with the braces on but spend the time using every gadget that you have to clean your teeth. It will be so worth it in the long run. Also, put some more effort into what you can eat that is soft and nutritious. Veggies, fruits, smoothies..... lean protein are your best options. I know this is difficult but please don't give up and crawl under a rock hoping this will all go away. You want to heal properly so that you do not end up with any additional problems down the road.

If you end up seeing the resident, I would suggest that you make it perfectly clear that you know your symptoms are not typical and would have appreciated if the oral surgeon had followed up when problems occurred and you want him to know that this is how you feel. This does not have to be done in a mean or suspicious manner... just being deliberate and matter of fact will get your point across. Believe me, you have every right to feel this way.

Make sure all 4 sites are checked especially since you plan on traveling soon.

Please check back when you can...
Bryanna

Hi Bryanna,

I took your advice and got in to see someone today. They told me my oral surgeon would "pop in" but he didn't. I got a different oral surgeon resident. He gave me a more thorough run down than the previous resident did, and told me that I wasn't infected but that I had food stuck in the site that recently started oozing. He felt my gumline and jaw and said that I was recovering. Said my top ones were doing great.

Told me to continue to take the antibiotics still. I''m on 500mg of amox and 500mg flagyl and wondering if I can take flagyl once a day instead of twice or if this will harm me in the long run if I do this. It gives me headaches and makes me not want to do much of anything. Honestly by the time I get in to see someone it's bene hours and I'm in a state of confusion and drowsiness so I forget to ask some of these questions that I wish I had asked.

Other than that I haven't had any pain in the extraction sites last evening, overnight, or yet today. I guess I have to keep irrigating the sites which I'm still not comfortable doing but since food got stuck in one I guess I have to kep doing it. He said that they appeared to be clotting underneath, when he flushed the left one all that came out was pure fresh blood.

But I still have small holes and he said to continue with a soft diet but didn't say for how much longer. How will I know when I'm good?

Thank you for following me on tihs Bryanna. I can't wait to get off these pills and to have those holes on the bottom filled in so I know I won't have to deal with dry socket on top of all of this i nthe coming days for christmas.

[Bryanna]

Hi dydx,

Stay on a soft food diet until the holes are completely closed.

Irrigate gently with the syringe and then rinse aggressively to be thorough in flushing out food debris.

I cannot comment on the dosage of the flagyl. I suggest you call the pharmacist, tell him how it makes you feel and ask for his opinion. I do think that your diet is playing a key role in how you are feeling. You have not had much nutrition since the extractions and your immune system is becoming weak. Add the stress of all this and the antibiotics to the mix and I can see how you would feel so lousy.

Please make an effort to eat better and more often. Make sure to drink lots of filtered water throughout the day as this will help to flush the toxins out of your system. You will know that you are drinking enough when you have to pee more frequently and stick with it.

Avoid sugar and all soda, even diet soda as these things are toxic to the immune system. Eat whole fresh foods.... fruits, veggies, eggs, etc.

Keep us posted...
Bryanna

Originally Posted by dydx1

Hi Bryanna,

I took your advice and got in to see someone today. They told me my oral surgeon would "pop in" but he didn't. I got a different oral surgeon resident. He gave me a more thorough run down than the previous resident did, and told me that I wasn't infected but that I had food stuck in the site that recently started oozing. He felt my gumline and jaw and said that I was recovering. Said my top ones were doing great.

Told me to continue to take the antibiotics still. I''m on 500mg of amox and 500mg flagyl and wondering if I can take flagyl once a day instead of twice or if this will harm me in the long run if I do this. It gives me headaches and makes me not want to do much of anything. Honestly by the time I get in to see someone it's bene hours and I'm in a state of confusion and drowsiness so I forget to ask some of these questions that I wish I had asked.

Other than that I haven't had any pain in the extraction sites last evening, overnight, or yet today. I guess I have to keep irrigating the sites which I'm still not comfortable doing but since food got stuck in one I guess I have to kep doing it. He said that they appeared to be clotting underneath, when he flushed the left one all that came out was pure fresh blood.

But I still have small holes and he said to continue with a soft diet but didn't say for how much longer. How will I know when I'm good?

Thank you for following me on tihs Bryanna. I can't wait to get off these pills and to have those holes on the bottom filled in so I know I won't have to deal with dry socket on top of all of this i nthe coming days for christmas.