Wisdom teeth and dry socket....?

Question

I had my wisdom teeth (all 4) out Friday. I have had some pain and finally came back to work today and feel almost better. Here is the problem - i smoke. I smoked a cigarette yesterday for the first time since surgery. I didn't inhale (suck) very hard at all. I did smoke today too. Would I have gotten a dry socket by now? Am I in the clear?

Answer 1

A dry socket is:
Any socket in which a patient is having pain due to the loss of the blood clot thus exposing the bone to air, food, and fluids along with an offensive odor. This often occurs two or more days after an extraction and can last about 5-6 days. It is normal to have soreness and discomfort following an extraction.

However, pain should be lessening by the second day.
This condition exist when a blood clot is dislodged from the surgery site thus exposing the bone and fine nerve endings. The blood clot helps in the stopping of bleeding and lays the foundation or framework for new tissue and bone to develop over a two-month healing process. This condition is more common in the mandibular area and in back teeth due to poorer circulation in this area, with wisdom teeth being the most common site. Dry socket delays the healing process.

It usually takes gum tissue about 3-4 weeks to heal where as the bone can take up to six months to heal.


This condition is most often found:

In individuals who smoke before their recommended time. Smoking: decreases healing, decrease blood supply to the protective blood clot, brings toxic products to the area, injuries the gum tissue and the negative pressure of sucking removes the blood clot from the surgery site.

If you do not care for your extraction site as instructed by staff.

Not following your home care instruction.

Sucking action from smoking, sneezing, coughing, spitting or sucking, within the first 24 hours.

Women taking oral contraceptives are more susceptible.



Prevention of dry socket:


Women who use birth control pills or have their teeth removed in the first 22 days of the menstrual cycle are twice as likely to develop dry socket after an extraction. Schedule extractions during the last week of your menstrual cycle (days 23 through 28) ** when estrogen levels are low or inactive.


Avoid drinking through a straw


Avoid smoking, it contaminates the extraction site


Avoid excessive mouth rinsing, it interferes with blood clotting


Keeping food from impacting in this area. Chew on the other side of your mouth and gently rinse your mouth with warm salt water after the first 24 hours.

Answer 2

you might be in the clear since it has been quite a few days. the first 48 hours is really dangerous. Also, if you had a dry socket, you would know, the pain would be so bad, it would leave no room for wonder. I had one of my wisdom teeth pulled, I smoked that afternoon, BUT I DO NOT RECOMEND THAT TO ANYONE!!! I would roll up a piece of gauze and put it over the socket and bite down on it and smoke the cig throught the other side of my mouth and when I was done, i would rinse my mouth with warm salt water right away. if you are in a lot pain, call dentist asap!!!

Answer 3

Sounds like if you haven't got it now then you wont get it. Had major dental surgery on Thursday of last week and had all 4 wisdom teeth out among others. It was under a general but spoke to my surgeon and he said smoking as long as you use mouthwash is fine. I smoked as soon as i got home- approx 3 hours after surgery and have had no problems back on 30 a day and still nothing wrong. Good Luck with it but i think you will be on the clear!

Answer 4

I'd be very careful for a few more days yet! I had the same problem and I got dry socket and it hurts worse than the tooth ache! You want that to heal up good before you smoke regular! Good luck to you!

Answer 5

i got my dry sockets about a week after i had surgery. becareful!! dry sockets are right up there in pain level.. i put it up with kidney stones, birth, gallbladder , dry sockets