Wisdom Teeth - Stitches

[Mac98]

Hey everyone,

I'm writing to anyone who's ever had their wisdom teeth taken out or to anyone who's ever done the surgery itself.

I got all 4 of my wisdom teeth taken out on Friday (1:15PM if that matters). Everything was ok, I've been eating purées and jello and what not, I started brushing my teeth 2 days ago and so far things were going fine until today.

Earlier this evening, I felt something in my tooth all the way at the back. Thinking it was either a piece of food (which is stupid, considering I haven't eaten any solid food since last Thursday), I picked at it with my finger nail and when I realized it wouldn't budge, I stopped. However, several minutes later, I spit out a tiny piece of clear plastic I've come to realize was one of the stitches. My question is, is this normal or is it not supposed to fall out so soon?

It's been exactly 120 hours (5 days) since the surgery and although it's still bleeding a little, I'm not sure as to weather this is bad or not. I will call tomorrow morning as soon as their offices are open, but I want to know weather or not to take this seriously. I checked with a flashlight in my mouth and I think I can see the opening but that might just be my paranoia.

Anyways, any advice would help. I want to know whether this is fine or not. Thanks.

 

[dollface007]

I think that's pretty normal. They are supposed to dissolve, so it was probably in the process of loosening and dissolving (which means you are healing). Unless you start bleeding profusely or start experiencing severe pain, don't worry about it.

 

[Jake0901]

Seems to be about what i remember also

 

[popcorn2721]

Damned, Im going to be going through this in the next couple of months. Best of luck to ya.

 

[culloden]

Sounds right to me - I've had two removed.

 

[klippert]

tea bag

That's right. If your suffering and bleeding.... Seep (that's soak) a tea bag... stick that sucker in your mouth and lightly bite down. I had a lot of bleeding after mine were removed... We called the Doctors office... Nurse calls back.... 'Tea Bag'. After a bit... The bleeding stopped.

My dumb ass wife (now ex) was a smoker.... Bad move.... If you get dried socket or pocket..... you're in for some pain.

 

[favoritesgoddess]

The day I spit out a stitch I nearly shit myself thinking I'd lost a clot. But I think (and mind you this was awhile ago) that by the 5 day mark I'd healed past that point. When in doubt, call the doc. Someone there will be able to reassure you.

 

[hd8001]

I had three removed and I think that was about the time that mine started to come loose. If it starts to hurt more or bleed I would just call the doctor and see if it needs to be looked at.

 

[Mac98]

Thanks for the help everyone. I called this morning and the nurse practically laughed at me saying that yes, it was normal. I'm kind of diappointed with them that no one thought to let me know about this. It sounds like something you'd want your patients to know.

There's still some bleeding and pain. There's still a lot of swelling that I'm trying like crazy to bring down with ice and saline water, but every morning it seems to come back full throttle. But I'm glad to know that I'm doing fine and I'm still on track with the healing proccess.

And trust me, I can only imagine what a dry pocket feels like. It looks like it's the type of pain even morphene can't completely kill. So I'm gargling as much as I can and brushing my teeth 3 or 4 times a day after every meal (I'm still eating purees and jello and whatnot because it's still to swollen for me to chew -_-).

Thanks again everyone.

 

[ayrton]

I recently had a wisdom tooth removed and suffered lots of pain. I returned to my Dentist and while he said it didn't look bad it, but could be a slight dry socket. He packed it with gauze and some tar like substance, clove I think, and that worked wonders. He had to re- do it a couple times. I had no swelling, just pain. I would suggest if the pain doesn't go away it is well worth a return visit. I can't even imagine what a full blown dry socket must feel like.
By the way, did he give you a syringe like thing to keep rinsing out the holes...that really helped as well.

 

[Mac98]

I recently had a wisdom tooth removed and suffered lots of pain. I returned to my Dentist and while he said it didn't look bad it, but could be a slight dry socket. He packed it with gauze and some tar like substance, clove I think, and that worked wonders. He had to re- do it a couple times. I had no swelling, just pain. I would suggest if the pain doesn't go away it is well worth a return visit. I can't even imagine what a full blown dry socket must feel like.
By the way, did he give you a syringe like thing to keep rinsing out the holes...that really helped as well.

There still is pain on my right side. The left side is fine, but the right is still quite swollen and if I don't keep taking advil or anything, still hurts a bit. I didn't get a syringe thingy, but they gave me some mouth wash to disinfect which I take very seriously. If the pain doesn't go away by Monday, I'll call them... there's no fucken way in hell that I want a dry socket. Must be hell to go through that

 

[fuckmeat]

Thanks for the help everyone. I called this morning and the nurse practically laughed at me saying that yes, it was normal. I'm kind of diappointed with them that no one thought to let me know about this. It sounds like something you'd want your patients to know.

There's still some bleeding and pain. There's still a lot of swelling that I'm trying like crazy to bring down with ice and saline water, but every morning it seems to come back full throttle. But I'm glad to know that I'm doing fine and I'm still on track with the healing proccess.

And trust me, I can only imagine what a dry pocket feels like. It looks like it's the type of pain even morphene can't completely kill. So I'm gargling as much as I can and brushing my teeth 3 or 4 times a day after every meal (I'm still eating purees and jello and whatnot because it's still to swollen for me to chew -_-).

Thanks again everyone.

Brushing your teeth that often may be counter-productive. With the best will in the world you'll inevitably cause slight trauma to your healing stitches. Avoiding solid food isn't going to give your mouth much respite unless you stop poking around it with a toothbrush. The mouthwash will protect you against decay, by all means use that 4 times daily. But brushing? I'd personally give your mouth a solid 48hours with no brushing and let everything calm down. Then maybe twice daily at most until everything's stopped bleeding and hurting. And don't even think about flossing. I know you're trying to be fastidious about hygiene but I think you may be obstructing your own recovery somewhat with such an intensive regime.

 

[Mac98]

I use the disinfecting rince 2ce a day (morning and night) and with salt water once or twice in between (or at least after everytime I eat, without fault).

I brush my teeth twice a day now (the 3 times a day was after spending 2 days without brushing and having blood-stained teeth. That lasted about 2 days then I went down to brushing twice).

I flossed once and realized it was a bad mistake, even though I didn't floss my back teeth. I have a bad feeling now. My left side is completely fine and the stiches are still in, but the right side is still really swollen and the pain is starting to come back. I think it's an infection, but I guess I won't know before Monday.

 

[favoritesgoddess]

I didn't touch my teeth at all for a couple of days at least and then I only brushed my front teeth until the doc told me I was healed enough that if I poked it the healing tissues accidentally with a toothbrush I wouldn't die.

 

[timurlenky]

The same exact thing happened to me. I think as long as it isn't bleeding profusely, you'll be fine. Mine did bleed a little bit when I accidently pulled out the stitch, but eventually stopped.

Just make sure you use that disinfecting mouth wash they give you.

 

[SweetErika]

I have a bad feeling now. My left side is completely fine and the stiches are still in, but the right side is still really swollen and the pain is starting to come back. I think it's an infection, but I guess I won't know before Monday.

Do you have other signs of infection, apart from the pain? For instance, a fever, glands that are newly swollen, does the wound on the right side look pus-sy or infected, etc.?

Are you already on antibiotics? That is, did the oral surgeon give them to you prophylactically?

If you believe you have an infection and you're not on antibiotics already, it might be worth a trip to urgent care this weekend, or at least calling the surgeon for advice (most stay on call/have a messaging service and will get back to you as soon as they can).

 

[Mac98]

I didn't touch my teeth at all for a couple of days at least and then I only brushed my front teeth until the doc told me I was healed enough that if I poked it the healing tissues accidentally with a toothbrush I wouldn't die.

I waited about 48 hours before starting to brush my teeth and even then, I never went so far back as to touch the wounds cuz I didn't want to cry. However, once I got the "ok" from the doc, I brushed them like crazy cuz they were all blood-stained and sticky, so... ugh! After brushing 3 times a day for 2 days, I went back to brushing every morning and every night. However, I never brushed the wounds or the back of my mouth until just yesterday.

The same exact thing happened to me. I think as long as it isn't bleeding profusely, you'll be fine. Mine did bleed a little bit when I accidently pulled out the stitch, but eventually stopped.

Just make sure you use that disinfecting mouth wash they give you.

It has started bleeding more and more, though. Every morning now, my spit is bright red. It used to be brown, then light brown and now it's gone back to being fully red. I called the emergency number and the dentist (or surgeon, whatever!) called back and said that I had to start brushing the wounds, using a toothbrush for babies. So far I have and although it's quite sensitive, it's still endurable but I'm still not convinced. I'm still going in on Monday morning for an EM apt. I guess I'll see what the dentist says.

Do you have other signs of infection, apart from the pain? For instance, a fever, glands that are newly swollen, does the wound on the right side look pus-sy or infected, etc.?

Are you already on antibiotics? That is, did the oral surgeon give them to you prophylactically?

If you believe you have an infection and you're not on antibiotics already, it might be worth a trip to urgent care this weekend, or at least calling the surgeon for advice (most stay on call/have a messaging service and will get back to you as soon as they can).

Well, I can't see much, especially without a flashlight, but it doesn't look puss-filled or anything. There is quite a bit of pain, though, especially when I step outside and it's freezing cold or something. The pain is exactly the same as when you get a tooth frozen (like biting through a popscicle. Anyone with sensitive teeth can tell you how unpleasant that is) only it doesn't go away after a few seconds. It stays longer and it's quite uncomfortable.

 

[qrayze]

I ended up with two dry sockets after getting my wisdom teeth removed, lol... had intense pain on one side especially, and I had to swish water around my mouth to get the food bits out that would get stuck in the holes after EVERY bite!

 

[tdj99]

I had mine pulled last summer, and they gave me a syringe to keep clean, you can clean out the holes with warm salt water, if you don't have a syringe you can swish the salt water. I was lucky that all my teeth came in straight so the pain was limited. the doctor was pretty good about the medicine he prescribed, he gave me something to take before I got them pulled to keep the swelling down and of course I got some percocet, needless to say I was pretty zonked out for a few days

 

[Mac98]

I just got back from the dentist, or surgeon or whatever and I've got two dry sockets. Yay!

I can't say the pain was THAT intense.. it was more incredibly annoying more than searingly painful, but it was still making it hard to eat, talk, move, go outside (since it's cold here) and whatnot.

I was told to stop swishing water in my mouth because I was dislodging the blood clot (which causes a dry socket. No sucking on straws, lolipops, no spitting, gargling, blowing or anything like that... and it's back to eating purees and puddings and all that crap for another week -_-.


God damn it!

 

[SweetErika]

Want me to whip you up a batch of baby food? Today my little guy's having pureed avocado, pear and oatmeal made with coconut milk.

I'm sorry to hear about the complication, but at least you got it looked at and hopefully you're on the mend.

Here's to quick healing.

 

[Mac98]

I'd LOVE a batch of baby food! I didn't think homemade baby food was even possible :O

mmmmmm... Coconut Milk... *slobbers*

Here! Here! Quick healing!

I went in again today. Apparently I have an infection now too. Things are just getting better and better .

It's alright though, I think after today's appointment things'll finally start going my way. Yay!

 

[SweetErika]

I'd LOVE a batch of baby food! I didn't think homemade baby food was even possible :O

mmmmmm... Coconut Milk... *slobbers*

Here! Here! Quick healing!

I went in again today. Apparently I have an infection now too. Things are just getting better and better .

It's alright though, I think after today's appointment things'll finally start going my way. Yay!

Yep, I never thought I'd buy anything that was featured on an infomercial, but last year I bought one of those Magic Bullet blenders at Costco to make protein shakes, and it's the best for making baby food, grinding stuff up, etc. Fresh, homemade baby food is so much healthier, flavorful and cheaper than that overcooked commercially prepared crap, and it really only takes a few minutes to make. Now you know if you ever have a kidlet, eh?

At least your wisdom teeth are gone so you won't have to repeat this, right? I still have all of mine, and am hoping they never come in. We'll see what the dentist says tomorrow, though.

 

[Mac98]

Hahahahaha God, I'm not ready to have a kid, yet!! I hope I don't have to make babyfood for at least another 5 or 6 years! Heck, I haven't even found miss right yet, give me time, please .

I've been living off puree'd stuff and swelling up to the point where I can barely talk from all the swelling and spitting up rather large amounts of blood. Knowing this, I would rather have kept them in my mouth and risk it!! But I couldn't, mine were starting to come in .

Stupid wisdom teeth!! God really messed up when he thought sticking huge fucken teeth in such a tiny space was a brilliant idea!

 

[Aurantica]

Thanks for the help everyone. I called this morning and the nurse practically laughed at me saying that yes, it was normal. I'm kind of diappointed with them that no one thought to let me know about this. It sounds like something you'd want your patients to know.

There's still some bleeding and pain. There's still a lot of swelling that I'm trying like crazy to bring down with ice and saline water, but every morning it seems to come back full throttle. But I'm glad to know that I'm doing fine and I'm still on track with the healing proccess.

And trust me, I can only imagine what a dry pocket feels like. It looks like it's the type of pain even morphene can't completely kill. So I'm gargling as much as I can and brushing my teeth 3 or 4 times a day after every meal (I'm still eating purees and jello and whatnot because it's still to swollen for me to chew -_-).

Thanks again everyone.

I got bad treatment from the guy who took out mine too. The retard kept insisting that being conscious simply meant breathing on your own. I, having taken a psychology course earlier that year, knew it meant being self-aware. I also got a followup call three hours after my surgery, and nothing whatsoever after that. Luckily I was back to normal within a week, unlike my sister who moaned and groaned for an entire month.