Suffering from dry socket
 

Last Thursday (May 16th) I had a molar extracted. According to my OS the extraction was difficult. About 3-4 days later it was clear to me (based on internet search) that I had dry socket (INTENSE pain and foul smell/taste). I went back to my OS and he confirmed dry socket. He performed vigorous debridement (I had bone powder or grafting material inside the socket which had turned very dry and hard). The debridement was the MOST PAINFUL thing I have ever experienced. He also irrigated with saline (I guess it was saline).

He did not pack the socket with soothing gauze however he said he made sure there was good bleeding at the site before he closed it up with dissolvable stitches. It has been 2 full days since the debridement/irrigation. I am taking Nanoproxen (not strong enough) and Amoxicillin. The pain is still there but no where as severe as before the debridement (somewhat managed by Nanoproxen) but I do get breakthrough pain during sleeping hours. I am terrified of getting another dry socket.

I have a f/u in 7 days but have no idea what the socket should look like or if it is healing properly. I am rinsing with warm salt water but also think I have gotten some food in the socket. I am barely eating however and meds are KILLING my stomach. I am not sure if I should just leave the lodged food there or try to get it out? Also when will this pain go away? I am so miserable. Thanks for any advice...

Hi Sadieyaa,

I just replied to your other post.... however you are mentioning additional things here.

First of all...
Did the oral surgeon place a bone graft after he extracted the tooth?

Secondly...
Bone graft material does not turn hard within the first week post op. It takes months to harden. So I'm thinking that the socket was not prepared properly to receive the graft as there may have been a reduced blood flow which contributed the dry socket issue.

A dry socket is when the blood flow is reduced too soon and the clot does not form adequately. The blood and the clot is what keeps the bone moist and healthy. So when they are disturbed, the bone becomes dry and bacteria settles in..... and OUCH that really hurts!

I am sorry he hurt you with the debridement.... he could have attempted to numb that area up a bit before doing that. I am surprised that he did not pack the site with a medicated gauze and have you come back at least one or two more times to pack it again. Not so sure that suturing it closed was the best option but sometimes that's how it's done... depends on the individual case. Did he pack more bone graft in there after he debrided??

Do you drink herbal tea by any chance?? You may want to try making some clove tea. You can even use whole cloves. Just add one bud of clove to a cup of hot water for a minute and then remove the bud as it will become very strong. You could add some honey to sweeten the taste. Cloves are very therapeutic for dry sockets. Or if you didn't want to drink it... you could use it as a mouth rinse. Just make sure it is warm and not hot if you do that.

It is important to eat when you take these meds. The stomach issues are just burdening your immune system and making things worse in general. Make fruit or veggie smoothies in a blender. Combine things like cantelope, cucumbers, blueberries and blend with some milk, almond milk, or soy milk. Or any combination of things that you like. Don't be afraid to mix a few things together... it usually will taste pretty good! Add a few ice cubes to the blender which will make it thick and cold....yum!

Bryanna

Dry socket woes continue
 

Bryanna,

Many thanks for you quick reply and good advice. To answer a few of your questions:

1. My OS did not repack my socket with bone graft material after debridement - should he as I plan to have an implant (eventually).
2. I believe it was just the exposed part of the graft material that was actually hard but the material under was sort of soft and gritty.

Last night I started to get that really "gross" taste back in my mouth so now I am almost certain that I have yet another bout of dry socket. That being said so far the pain is much more tolerable. My OS provided me with his cell number and I texted him this morning about the meds and also told him about the putrid taste returning. He changed my amoxicillan to a z-pack (due to intolerance) and also said he didn't believe I had another dry socket... I am not so sure. His suggestion was to continue to rinse with warm salt water.

Thank you for you advice on herbal teas, smoothies etc. My husband is from Ethiopia and they drink spiced hot water with cardamon, cinnamon, and cloves. I have actually been drinking it like crazy and it does provide some relief.

I am having a hard time sleeping and realize that I suffer from dry mouth at night - this has been for some time now. I am sure this is contributing to my problems. Do you have any guidance for dry mouth? Many thanks again. I am very anxious these days - I am dreading the thought of another dry socket (same socket) and just hope this terrible taste does not manifest into DS.

Hi sadie,

How are you feeling today? Better I hope.

<<<<<<am having a hard time sleeping and realize that I suffer from dry mouth at night - this has been for some time now. I am sure this is contributing to my problems. Do you have any guidance for dry mouth? >>>

REGARDING DRY MOUTH...
DO YOU SLEEP WITH YOUR MOUTH OPEN? IF SO, WHY? CAN YOU BREATH OKAY THROUGH YOUR NOSE? DO YOU TAKE ANTI HISTAMINES? DO YOU TAKE MEDICATIONS THAT REDUCE YOUR SALIVA? DO YOU DRINK TEA BEFORE YOU GO TO BED?
HAVING A DRY MOUTH WILL CAUSE YOU TO HAVE A BAD TASTE AND BAD BREATH BECAUSE THE ORAL TISSUE AND TONGUE BECOMES DRY LEAVING FOOD DEBRIS AND ODORS TO DRY ON THESE AREAS.

Bryanna