Feeling better :) The pain started to subside late Saturday. I didn't go for my 4th clove packing. I wanted to see if I could do w/o it. Plus, I had to drive to Edmonton which is 2.5 hrs away from here and stayed there overnight. I didn't enjoy my Halloween, however, I was glad that I wasn't in excruciating pain. I started to eat solid food but cut up in small pieces. I haven't started eating rice...wow more than a week w/o rice, a record for me. I'm still careful though. I've been eating on one side (no dry socket side). Also, my braces is feeling tight on my dry socket side. It's really pulling it and I can feel it but it's not as bad as the dry socket pain. Thank goodness. I haven't drank any alcohol or carbonated sodas. I haven't eaten anything spicy. I've been so careful.
I'm not looking forward into getting my impacted wisdom teeth taken out next year. I might have to hold off on that coz I don't want to develop another dry socket. I was so careful on my last extraction but I got it anyway.
Today, I'm going to attempt to eat a lasagna mmmm...it should take me an hour to finish hahaha.
So, if ever you develop a dry socket, just to let you know, it's going to be painful but eventually it will go away...drink lots of water, rinse your mouth with warm salt water but don't garggle...do it gently. Try not to flush it w/ syringe and clean the extraction site. However, if you don't have a dry socket and it's been days since your extraction...then I guess go ahead but still I wouldn't do it. I find it that it's better to just leave it be, coz you might disrupt the clot. If food gets in there which always does, try to gently rinse it w/ warm salt water. If it's in there and won't come and it's not bothering you..then leave it be. Gums heals from bottom to top. If you're worried that your gums will close and have a foreign object (ie., food) inside, it won't. However, if a food is in there and it's bothering you and you've tried rinsing, go to your dentist and ask them to take it out for you or ask them for a small pick (looks like a q-tip but w/ smaller end) then try to take it out gently. Don't use your finger to get it out!!! Also, eat mushy foods, I know they might not be the best but they speed up the healing process. Try not to disrupt the extraction site at all. Eating hard and crunchy food can get inside the side or disrupt the gums. Also, you probably read all about this already - no straw, no smoking, and no sucking action whatsover haha. Brush gently and yes do brush. Brush w/ small amount of toothpaste w/ no mouthwash ingredients in it. NO alcohol...i guess haha..It thins out your blood and the clot can come off. Hmmm what else...no pop/sodas, try not to work out too much. Healing time? How long? that was my biggest question. I googled it like there was no tomorrow. Everyone has diff healing time...we have diff bodies...but really IT WILL GO AWAY. It took me 7-8 days and who knows the pain might come back. I've read that some had their dry socket pain last for weeks, months and even almost a year. I'm just being extra careful and crossing my fingers. If however, you're still having excruciating pain after a week or so of the extraction, do go to your dentist if you haven't yet and let them take a look at it.
Pain relievers - do try clove oil - it tastes nasty but it works. Don't use too much, it is lethal. But then again a small bottle shouldn't harm you. Clove oil can be purchase at your nearest pharmacy or health food store. Just ask them. Also Advil works the best if you're not allergic to ibuprofen/aspirin. I am. So, I had to take Tylenol extra strength and T3 (w/ codeine). Don't rely too much on meds coz in the long run, it's not good for you either. Kidney and liver failure is way worse than having a dry socket. Try to take them when you really need to. You know reading other people's dry socket experiences helps too so google away! Who knows you might find a home remedy that might work for you.
Ok, I'll keep you all posted...*crossing fingers* I don't want the pain to come back....eek!
