Ok, i had a wisdom tooth extracted this morning. I have been following the instructions but somethings are concerning me.
1) I have a slight salty taste in my mouth. Is that normal?
2) I looked at the tooth and cannot see any blood clot there.. i hope I havent swallowed it or anything. Is it normal for there NOT to be any blood visible, or could that mean it hasnt healed properly.
I am particularly concerned because I am 38 weeks pregnant, so I obviously worried about infections/excessive pain etc as that could trigger labour I guess, or harm the baby in some other way.
2007-10-09 12:30:28 · 9 answers · asked by Chimera's Song 6 in Health ➔ Dental
The slightly salty taste in your mouth is normal. It's probably a combination of the reaction to the anesthetic and disinfectant, and blood. You form the blood clot in question at the bone level. Dry socket is referring to the socket hole in the jawbone where the tooth was anchored. When you remove a tooth, you create a hole in the bone. To prevent blood and fluid loss, and limit the chance of infection setting in, the bone forms a clot to fill the spot. If the clot is dislodged, the bone in that area will dehydrate. Dry Socket takes a few days to happen to the point you will notice it, as a rule you are about 4-5 days post-op when it happens. Typically a person will have started to feel more human again, after the extraction, and then notice a nagging ache show up in the jawline. The ache gets worse and worse, until they finally return to the dentist. Although it is not a comfortable condition, it's not a major problem. The dentist simply packs iodoform guaze into the spot, which helps rehydrate the bone. The pain relief is pretty immediate. Then he'll sometimes add a foam type filler to replace the clot, and you go on your way again.
As a rule, it takes quite a bit to shake the little apple from the tree ahead of schedule. Even pain and infection won't necessarily be enough to do it. But at 38 weeks, your baby is sufficiently developed that it wouldn't be a problem. Little one is currently at the final weight gain point, but otherwise all systems are ready to go. If born at this point, baby would be on the small side, but wouldn't even really be considered premature- normal delivery is at 40 weeks, give or take 2 either direction. So on that score at least you could relax. Even if we take the absolute worst case scenario, and you develop a massive infection, it would be simple enough to trigger labor, or even do a caesarian, and deliver a very healthy infant for you. Your baby is safe, all you need to do is relax as much as you can and concentrate on recouperating. Follow your dentist's aftercare instructions to the letter- and you should have no problems. Drink all the flat fluid you can lay hands on, keep drinking, and the taste should go away. And a dry socket won't be a problem. Good luck, and relax. Your baby is safe.
2007-10-09 12:45:19 · answer #1 · answered by The mom 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Dry sockets are not as common as people think.
The salty taste is blood and yes it is normal, you will have some slight oozing from the area for the night. Your saliva should have a pink tinge to it, see how it is tomorrow. You may have a funky taste for a few days, remember you have a scab forming in the area.
Don't worry about the blood clot not being visible, there pro bally is one deeper in the pocket. Just don' t play with it. Leave the area alone, it takes several days to really clot well. And several weeks to heal. An ice pack on you cheek may help for any swelling, on and off like you would ice a ankle or something for a few hours.
Remember...no suction of any kind, straws, smoking. Also stay away from carbonated drinks. After a few days to diminish the taste you can gently rinse with warm salt water.
Follow the instructions that the DDS gave you and you should be fine.
2007-10-09 12:43:10 · answer #2 · answered by B.Woorley 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Hon, dry socket isn't an infection; it's the dislodging of the blood clot that formed naturally when your tooth was extracted. It usually comes about (IF it comes about) the day after the extraction.
Here's three rules to follow; if you do, you'll be VERY unlikely to develop a dry socket.
Don't spit with any force! If you rinse, just sort of let the water dribble out of your mouth.
Don't drink out of a straw.
Don't smoke.
The very worst thing about dry socket is that you have to go back to your dentist every day for several days to have it packed with gauze. Been there!
2007-10-09 13:07:37 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Salty taste is normal, as the wound is still seeping blood, or if not, it is seeping lymph, the clear liquid that can come out of scrapes that aren't bleeding. They should have stitched the socket up, so the major clot keeping it sanitary should be invisible.
2007-10-09 12:40:15 · answer #4 · answered by theseeker4 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Join the club! I too was in that small band of 38wks pregnant mum's to be who had a widom tooth out.God, that takes me back.He's 28 now!
Anyways everything is as normal,don't worry.Mine's was exactly like yours.Now sit back and wait for junior.They had it sussed 28 years ago so your safe believe me.Hope the birth goes well.Good luck.
Dry socket: you would know if you had a dry socket it's so painful you wouldn't have to ask.So calm down woman. ; )
2007-10-09 12:51:29 · answer #5 · answered by Misty Blue 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
stop worrying concentrate on your babe ..... to tooth extraction its quite common have salty water gargles to clean mouth or as they say saline same thing good luck on your birth ..cant understand why you went through tooth extraction so close to your date and why dentist went there ....but OK ...just gargle lots with salt don't swallow tastes vile ..again best wishes
2007-10-09 12:45:38 · answer #6 · answered by bobonumpty 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
1 yes normal salt from slight blood loss
2 no problem. no blood seen - better for you
trust directions and follow them you are doing fine
2007-10-09 12:40:15 · answer #7 · answered by flowerpet56 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
If you have dry socket it will HURT. Even if you do everything right, you can still get it. I did. You'll be fine.
2007-10-09 12:34:06 · answer #8 · answered by Tinamarie 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
who told you , you have a dry socket?
2007-10-09 19:33:31 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋