Can anything stop the healing process of wisdom teeth extractions?

Question

Hi! I had my two bottom wisdom teeth cut out 2 weeks and 3 days ago. They did suture and everything looks pretty good. I only have a concern with one side. It was a partially erupted tooth and the extraction hole is almost perfectly horizontal going back into the jaw. It looks like although slowly it is in fact healing pretty well. It was VERY deep to begin with so I expect longer healing time. It looks like a little black underneath the new white tissue developing in the "bottom". Is that okay? Am I out of the woods for dry socket now? And IF mouth gunk or whatever got in there but it wasn't infected would it heal anyway? Can anything stop the healing process? I think because of it's horizontal position it is staying clean very easily... and I am a worry wart and I am ALWAYS worrying about what MIGHT be. I just want to be careful and want everything to continue along it's track. I don't have any pain anymore except for maybe a tiny bit of jaw soreness. Not bad at all! Thanks!

Oh! And ofcourse I have been very gently rinsing with warm salt water religously. :)

Answer 1

You're definitely past the 'dry socket' period. In fact, it sounds like you're healing just fine.

As long as you keep rinsing to clean out the extraction site until it's completely closed, you should be fine.

Sounds like you're doing everything you're supposed to~ the soreness in your jaw will decrease every day, so don't be alarmed.

:)

Answer 2

I am so sorry for your pain.... I know it is painful. If you are able to take an ibuprofen product (advil, motrin, etc.), try that. Ibuprofen is an anti-inflammatory as well as pain reliever. Additionally, you can use anbesol on the area. At the drugstore, you can find it in either the dental or the baby section. Just a small amount will numb the area. I don't suggest using it long term, but since you are going to the DDS tomorrow, using it tonight should be okay. One last thing, the oldest home remedy ever, warm salt-water rinses. Salt water is very soothing and has natural healing qualities. You can also mix a little bit of hydrogen peroxide in with the saltwater....if the tooth is part of the way in and food/bacteria has built up under the gum that is still over the tooth, you may have a condition called pericoronitis. It gets very red, swollen and is painful. The peroxide will help "bubble out" the bacteria and will not harm you as long as you don't swallow it. A WORD OF PRECAUTION: DON'T DO THIS AFTER YOU HAVE THE TOOTH REMOVED. (The peroxide).... I hope you feel better soon. Sadly, the tooth will probably need to come out and that is not pleasant, either. If I were you, I would have the DDS take a panoramic film to see if any other wisdom teeth are getting ready to poke through. If so, have them all taken out at once and get it over with!! My thoughts and prayers will be with you!

Answer 3

keep rinsing and you should be just fine, the "black dot" you see is likely just old blood, it will be reabsorbed as the tissues heal.