Hi,

I'm a 32 yr. old who is 18 days post-op lower right wisdom tooth removal with a bone graft. I did a round of Amoxicillin for 7 days, starting one day before my surgery. Immediately after surgery and ever since, I have had numbness of my lip/ chin area (including the teeth and gums in that area). I've had pain varying from constant, dull throbbing to excruciating, stabbing pain that usually lasts around 10 min (I think these are "zingers"). I have not been able to chew or open my mouth fully since surgery.

I went and saw the surgeon 5 days ago, and an infection was found so I am currently on Clindamycin. About 2.5 days into the new antibiotic, I had shooting pain so bad, like I was being stabbed in the face, I was literally jumping out of my seat and in tears. I've been taking ibuprofen around the clock for pain, and sometimes it dulls it, but most of the time it does nothing. I've been doing salt water rinses, tea bags, clove oil, the whole nine yards. I emailed my surgeon and told him what I was experiencing and he said that this was normal and likely the nerve healing and infection resolving, and to call the office if I still have swelling after 3 or 4 days on the antibiotic.

Today is day 5 and I still have a hard lump on my jawline that is so painful, I can barely touch it. I don't see any pus coming from the extraction site anymore (last saw some yesterday). However, last night for the first time since surgery, the pain woke me up in the middle of the night and kept me up until 5:30am. I'm starting to get extremely frustrated. Should I try and wait it out a few more days? Should I go for a second opinion? I'm very concerned about this developing into a much worse infection, and I feel like at this point, I should be much better. And I am so freaking hungry. Sorry for the novel and thanks for any advice!