Tooth extraction #18 - fleshy lump
 

Dear Bryanna, Tooth number 18 was extracted 11 days ago. I'm going to see my oral surgeon who did the surgery on Wednesday for a follow up and to get the stitches out. However, I'd like you to take a look at the photo I have attached if you would. There is a fleshy lump at the end of the socket, no pus or drainage, just raised gum tissue, which is red in the middle. He didn't mention anything about it in his report, but the socket seems to be healing poorly on that end. The socket appears deeper there. Do you have any ideas as to what the lump is or if it's just a natural part of the healing. I had an infected root canalled tooth there before the extraction.
Thanks for taking a look!
GMarie I can't seem to attach my photo, but maybe you would know what this is by my description? Thanks for your time!

GMarie,

I can tell you that it is concerning if any lumps form on the gum or near the extraction site more than 7 days post op. It could be some extra benign tissue that has formed which can be easily removed. It could be a splintered piece of bone that is trying to make it's way out and has inflamed the gum or it could be the result of an infection that may or may not have other symptoms.

Make sure you bring this to his attention and ask him to check it thoroughly. Do not tell him it doesn't hurt.... unless he asks you or after he has thoroughly checked it. That way he's more likely to check it more closely. He should probe around a bit to see if there is any discharge or pus and a single radio graph might be helpful to see how clean the socket is as there could be a bony spicule trying to come out.

There are other post operative concerns that sometimes arise after a root canaled tooth is extracted that have to do with the root canal procedure itself. So it is best for the os to evaluate the site thoroughly.

Please check back with us after you visit.
Bryanna

Thank you so much Bryanna for your information! I will ask him to check it thoroughly, as I too am concerned about it, plus wonder if it will go away.
I will let you know how it goes after my appointment tomorrow!

Sincerely, GMarie

GMarie,

If there is no bacterial or specific irritant causing the lump, then with time, change of oral hygiene or minor intervention (if necessary) it will go away.

Bryanna

Thanks again Bryanna!
So, should I get an x-ray of the socket to make sure there's nothing under or in the area? This OS is very limited with his morning appointments before surgeries. However, if you think it's necessary, I'll make sure he takes one. It's been very slow to heal, and is still healing, especially near that end.
Thank you much!
GMarie

GMarie,

I would say yes to the xray. But by now you have most likely already seen the os. So what did he say?

Bryanna

lump diagnosis, sort of
 

Hi Bryanna, The OS said it was healing fine and didn't seem to think much of the raised area. I asked him what it was, and he said, maybe a bit of irritated gum tissue. He didn't see any need to take pictures either.

I imagined this would be his response, and had to get up at 6:30 to see him. I even tripped over the pet gate and banged my face into the wall before going. So, my upper gum was cut and swollen. Thank goodness my teeth didn't get chipped or broken. That would have been really bad and terribly untimely!!
Thanks Bryanna...GMarie

GMarie,

What a crappy start to your day! But you did get some good news..... so it wasn't all bad :)

I know it's a PITA .... If the area changes at all for the worse, don't hesitate to go back and see him. If this is just an irritation then it should get better with each day.

Are you brushing and flossing all of your teeth and still rinsing with warm salt water? Are you rinsing with anything else?

Bryanna

It never ends..!
 

Bryanna, Yes quite a start to the day!
Just wondering....what is a PITA? I am still doing warm salt water rinses. I have been rinsing with ACT total care mouthwash the last couple of days too. Is there something else I should be using?

Thanks again for your useful information! After this heals, it's off to the dentist to get a crown repaired. Does it ever end?? ;)

GMarie

GMarie,

PITA means .... pain in the ***** :)

I would stop using the ACT and stick with the salt water only. Mouthwash contains chemicals, some very toxic, and all irritating to the oral tissue. There is no therapeutic benefit to using mouthwash. They are marketed as something that kills bad breath, germs and prevents cavities. The ingredients do kill germs but cannot distinguish between the good or the bad germs so they kill them all. They also decrease the production of saliva predisposing the user to tooth decay and periodontal disease. Many rinses contain Fluoride which is actually an industrial toxic waste product and it does not prevent tooth decay. Thorough brushing and flossing are the best preventive measures to prevent decay.

Stick with the salt water only and see if the lump clears up in a few days.

Bryanna

PITA - lol
 

Hi Bryanna, PITA, that's for sure! :p

Well, now that I know that about the mouthwash, I will stick only to the brushing, flossing and warm water salt rinses. I guess I should look for a fluoride free toothpaste as well?

Thanks again for all your help! GMarie

GMarie,

Most people are taught that we need to use chemically derived toothpaste to wash our teeth and "freshen" our breath. The actual removal of food debris and fresh breath comes from the mechanical act of brushing, flossing and tongue scraping. Most toothpastes contain harsh chemicals that kill both good and bad bacteria, tooth abrasives that wear down the enamel, fluoride that has no honest value in the prevention of tooth decay and strong whitening agents that also wear down the enamel. All of which are actually harmful if swallowed.... read the label. Irrelevant of whether it is intentionally swallowed or not, our oral and gum tissue absorbs these ingredients on a daily basis at least once or twice a day. So if the intention is to clean our teeth and mouth to keep everything healthy, then it makes sense to avoid those things and either use nothing on the toothbrush or use something that is harmless but therapeutic.

I make my own toothpaste from coconut oil, baking soda and essential oils.
I vary the oils depending on what I have on hand.

My current recipe is:

6 TBS of coconut oil (unrefined and organic)
3+ TBS of baking soda (non aluminum)
20 drops of essential oil (peppermint or grapefruit or myrrh... I buy online from Mountain Rose Herbs)

Mix all together in a bowl. The more you mix it the creamier it becomes.
I put mine in a small mason jar and keep the lid on it. I use a disposable tongue depressor to remove some from the jar and place it on my electric toothbrush to avoid contaminating the mixture. **You can also use a Smart Stick hand blender to mix it.

Those ingredients are non toxic, gently and naturally abrasive, and therapeutic to the oral tissue. Grape seed Oil and Myrrh are excellent for gum health.

Hope you find this information helpful!
BTW.... how is the lump today?

Bryanna

Hi Bryanna, After reading your initial post about fluoride being so bad, I looked up ones without fluoride and ordered one. It's called Natural Dentist Fluoride Free Peppermint Sage. It sounds pretty good and got all good comments about the taste, consistency and natural ingredients. So, if I'm not satisfied with it, I may try making my own, similar to yours. :)

Is it okay for children and teenagers to also use the fluoride free toothpaste? I guess I'm still in the mind frame that it's a necessary ingredient at least for the young.

I have recently read that fluoride was not good for your thyroid and I do have hypothyroidism. I drink bottled spring water....Deer Park, which I don't think has fluoride, but I should check into that more thoroughly.

The lump is still pretty much the same. It has gone down somewhat from the size it was initially when the tooth was first extracted. It is painless and really looks to be raised gum tissue, if that makes any sense.

Thanks for this interesting and valuable discussion!
GMarie :hug:

Hi GMarie,

Just to give you an example of what's really in toothpaste, even the so called "natural" ones. Here is a list of the ingredients in the ND toothpaste that you bought.

Ingredients: Active Ingredients: Peppermint oil (0.10%), Salvia officinalis (sage) oil (0.2%).

<<Inactive Ingredients>>: Vegetable glycerin, hydrated silica, water, sorbitol, xylitol, cocamidopropyl betaine, aloe bardabensis leaf juice, cellulose gum, calendula officinalis extract, citrus grandis (grapefruit) seed extract, echinacea angustifolia extract, hydrastis canadensis (goldenseal) extract, titanium dioxide, xanthan gum, flavor, citric acid,.

This product also comes with a much heeded warning...
If more than used for brushing is swallowed, get medical help or contact a poison control center right away.

It is best to use nothing or something with only ingredients that you can pronounce and know to be non toxic. That is why I make my own.

Regarding toothpaste and babies, toddlers, children.... it is best that they avoid all means of fluoride and other chemically laden products. Any toxic substance that is used or ingested over a period of time is going to weaken the areas that it comes in contact with and burden the immune system.

Fluoride has a major negative affect on our thyroid gland. Again it is the cumulative affect (repeated exposure or usage) that causes us the most damage.

Regarding bottled water... there are many issues with water that comes in a plastic bottle. But speaking of fluoride... here is a list of some of the ones that are known to contain it..
http://www.realfarmacy.com/printable...ning-fluoride/

If you can.... and you are comfortable .... attach a photo of the lump on your gum. Just photograph that area and nothing else.

Bryanna

Natural Ingredients
 

Hi Bryanna, I read a list that had Deer Park spring water as not containing fluoride, so you don't know what to believe anymore! Same with the so called "natural toothpastes". Thanks for bringing that to my attention! At least it won't have fluoride in it. :rolleyes:

I tried to attach a copy of the picture I took of the "lump", but it was not working on my end. I will try taking another photo and sending it. If I can't get it to work again: the raised gum makes like a pocket at the end of the gum socket. The OS said it would eventually fill in. I hope he's right!

Thanks for all the information you provided!! :)