A Delicate Question
 

Hi Bryanna et al,

First, let me thank you again for all the helpful advice I got here after my wisdom tooth extraction. I had pain for 29 days, and, on the 30th day, it just... stopped. So, I was grateful. When you're in pain, it can feel as though it will never stop, and that can have an effect on one emotionally. When the pain DOES stop, it's like being let of out jail.

However, I have what I would describe as a rather delicate follow-up question, which I'll try to phrase as tactfully as possible:

Following an oral surgery procedure, in this case, extraction of 4 wisdom teeth one of which was rather slow to heal, how soon is it safe/advisable to resume intimate relations? Let's further categorize this into two categories: Kissing, and... other things.

Sorry if anyone is embarrassed by this, but it IS a pertinent question, and I was wondering if anyone knew. I realize there's a case-by-case difference in when, but, generally speaking... is there some guideline that allows one to know when?

Thanks!

Hi Berus
 

:D my guess would be when you are fully healed. You don't want bacteria while you are in the process.:D ginnie

Hi Berus,

Actually..... that is a great question!!!

It is ideal to be healed from the oral surgery before you share "germs" with anyone. Once the surgical sites are closed over... you are good to go!!

Of course many people do not follow that recommendation... but if you are the kind of person who thinks/worries about this kind of stuff.... then it is better to be cautious than sorry later on.

If it were me.... I would not take any chances :)

Never hesitate to ask a question here.... I'm pretty much open to just about anything ~:

Bryanna

I heart Bryanna for her honesty and openness!!!

Socasusie...

Thanks for the kind words ~'.'~

I have a little sign on my refrigerator that says.....

<<This is not a bakery. I don't sugar coat anything. If you ask for my opinion, Then that's what you'll get.>>

Bryanna :)

Hi Bryanna,

As usual, great advice - and, once again, thank you. This does give rise to another question, though... how does one tell when a site is healed over? In the case of my own extraction sites, the pockets are deep enough and angled enough that I can't exactly shine a light down there and see, even with a 3x mirror. Is there some specific way one can tell, other than being able to get a clear look, which, in my case, isn't exactly possible?

Thanks!

Berus,

Gently place your tongue over each extraction site. You will be able to feel if there is an open hole or not. Thirty days post op... the sites are probably pretty well closed over with gum tissue. The bone has not filled in as that takes up to a year... but the gum tissue will close over way before that.

Go ahead, check them...it's okay you're not going to disturb anything.

Bryanna

Hi Bryanna,

Was out of town for a few days on business, so just got your reply. My extraction sites (bottom at least, which are the ones I can see) are as follows: lower left is now a pink recess which collects food particles that I have to flush out 3 or 4 times per day with this little curved syringe the OS gave me. It probably holds about 1cc of material if that gives you any idea of the size of the recess (this was the roughest of the 4 teeth - the wisdom tooth was sideways under the gum and had impacted onto the molar next to it, causing some bone loss and abscess.) The lower right extraction site now appears as a sort of pink crevice. It is definitely getting smaller as the weeks go by. Neither of them are "covered over" in terms of being flat with my gum, however. Is that what you mean?

Thanks again!

Hi Berus,

Yes, it sounds like they are healing normally and I would say you have the "green" light to go ahead and........... ~'.'~

Take care!
Bryanna