For anyone having all wisdom teeth removed at the same time, especially when they include multiple, impacted mandibulars, the risk of developing a dry socket is already 40% higher than your average patient. The facial pain along cheek bones, jaw lines, gum lines, other teeth, sinus area, etc. is not "normal" at any point following extractions. The worst of the pain is expected to be for the three day period immediately following extractions. Any throbbing facial pain beyond three days, especially at eight or nine days, is often associated with or due to having (a) dry socket(s). It hurts like nothing else and even prescribed narcotic pain medication does not help allieviate the pain. At this point you must call the dentist/oral surgeon who originally performed your extractions, as they are required to provide follow up care to their patients. If they can reasonably determine that a blood clot either did not form at all in any one of the sockets, or that a blood clot did form but was dislodged due to sucking (often from using a straw or smoking) or rinsing vigorously, they will place a medicated dressing inside of the socket that should provide somewhat of an instantaneous relief. However, if you're on a deserted island and reasonably unable to contact your oral health provider, oil of cloves is the main ingredient in Eugenol-the medication that's applied to the gauze dressing placed in sockets. Often providers will use an anti-microbial agent, an antiseptic such as Peridex, and Eugenol combined to ensure sanitary conditions of socket while offering pain relief. The dressing must be changed once every 24 hours, it should be packed loosely, leaving a large enough piece to grab ahold of hanging out of the socket, but not too large to where it's bothersome or it gets caught on anything inside of your mouth.
Unfortunately, there are instances of various bone fractures happening during prolonged surgeries as well. However, bone fractures aren't nearly as common as dry sockets. Due to the severity of pain experienced from the dry sockets, it's both normal and good to question if you do in fact have any bone fractures. This is why it's ultimately important to follow up with the provider who performed the extractions. They can accurately assess extraction site(S) for dry sockets and take x-rays to look for any fractures or breakage in bones. Many oral surgeons will perform a CT scan prior to extraction and at the follow up visit after extractions to ensure they removed all roots, etc.
I do hope this helps! Good luck!
Regardless of where and how you are experiencing pain, jaw or cheek throbbing, temple throbbing, ocular throbbing, once the CAUSE is treated via Eugenol or clove oil in the dry sockets, all pain will cease. If you use clove oil, it needs to be 0.02% strength solution and applied directly onto gauze before being packed into socket. Make sure it's enough, but not dripping as you don't want this to get anywhere else in yout mouth as it may burn and will not taste pleasant at all. This will work better than an IV loaded with morphine š¤¤ because it's treating the source of the pain, not just the headache symptom.
Please share status and/or updates on current conditions.
Sorry I just saw this message, I took about 3 weeks. As mentioned in earlier messages the Oral surgeon pretty much thought his work was done after the operation, and was very dismissive of me afterward. His response was more pain killers. I was on tramadol, Targin, endone, lorazepan, panadine, coding and ibuprofen at varying stages over the four week period. Oral surgeon said nothing was wrong and tried to say it was muscular pain and that I must be in the 5% that takes longer to heal. Yeh right. So went to my normal dentist who did X-rays and said he thinks it was a small fracture on my cheekbone. Which the oral surgeon denied.
Actually reading back I had the headache and jaw paid for about 2 months not 3 weeks
Hi All, Hi Michael,
Firstly, I hope everyone's pain/suffering is over? This pain is the worst!!
Just after abut of advice or even any help that can be given......it's been a week tomorrow since I had my left side top and bottom wisdom teeth removed. I was sedated and dentist didn't say that there had been any complications etc when it was over, just given an extraction pack and that was it! As I expected once the numbness had wore off then the pain kicked in. Wasn't given and pain relief or antibiotics by the dentist. I take zapains 30/500mg for a back problem I have so just took these. To be honest first few days it helped for a while until they wore off! I just knew that the pain wasn't getting any worse so I decided to go back to the dentist. He took one look in my mouth, literally 5 seconds and said I'd got an infection. He's given me a 5 day course of antibiotics. I'm currently on day 3 of these and omg the pain is horrendous! I'm not eating, I'm not sleeping and now the pain is going into my jaw, cheek, ear and head! I've been off work for a week now and can't even think about going back as my job is quite hands on. Any advice or thoughts on if there could be something else wrong?
Thanks in advance
Bec x
That's weird they didn't give you antibiotics or pain killers straight after the surgery.
They sent me home with painkillers and a course of anti biotics.
The inside of my mouth healed without complication, no infection or dry socket etc. it was just the constant headaches, jaw and cheek pain that lasted around two months š©
No they didn't give me no painkillers or antibiotics. Just one extraction pack. The pain is horrendous, and now when I drink it's a pain that's even worse, it lasts a few minutes and then gets easier.
I'm going to go back to the dentist tomorrow as I'm really not coping! Even after the antibiotics it's just doesn't seem to be getting any better?!
Thanks for your reply
Bec x
Hi there,
I was just after some help please! Im 26 and had all 4 wisdom teeth removed under a general 2 weeks ago. Up until 2 days ago I thought the healing was going well, I had a course of antibiotics which lasted 5 days and stopped taking pain Med about 5 days ago but now I have serious swelling on my left cheek (on my lower gums) it's so uncomfortable, my cheek very hot to touch, I've got massive headaches and it's travelling all up the side of my face to my temple. Did you have any swelling with your jaw/cheek pain and headaches? I feel very under the weather and anxious that it may be a bad infection or abscess? Are these the symptoms of dry socket? It's the pain and intense swelling causing headaches and jaw pain which is literally driving me insane. No sleep for me tonight!
Hey Beth, I had my wisdom teeth out 10 days ago and I have no swelling in my cheeks as of now. I have found if I have food particles stuck in the open holes from eating it seems to make the jaw pain worse. My surgeon gave me a plastic syringe that looks like a fish hook to keep food out of the holes, that seems to help. I do have bad migraines every day and canāt sleep from 2am on from the radiating pain in my temples. I just take 800 mg of ibuprofen and after a half hour the pain is annoying but tolerable. Sounds like you could have an infection or dry socket if you have swelling after two weeks. I would get it checked out if you have swelling and pain if itās hot to the touch usually means infection.
I had my wisdom teeth removed 6 days ago. They weren't in the bone and I've had them many years. The left side was rotten and the right side they took because they said it would eventually need to be removed. Days 1-4 I had migraines constantly and a lot of cheek pain on the right side. The migraines subsided and now since last night my left check is killing me and if anything cold touches the opening in my gum it radiates more pain in my cheek like it's hurting a nerve. Anyone know what in the world that could be? I have 36 hours until I can call my dentist.
HELLO,Im michael as well i had 4 wisdom teeth removed two top and two bottom the bottom right tokken out and the bottom right was impacted for the first three days the impacted to was hurting soo bad i went to er the pain went down NOW my left side bottom left is just killing me and its day number 5 i just went to the dentist and he said i was ok but the pain is still therer i took 4 600 mlg ibprofen n 4 500 mlg of actephiieion pain meds and the pain still there i asked did ibhave dry socket he said kno now its 3 clock ina and i CANT SLEEP im scared im TIRED and tired of being in pain i need help NONE OF THE DENTIST WANT HELP ME LIKE IM LYING OR SUNTHIM PLEASE HELP ALL I EAT IS APPLESAUCE N RAMEN NOODLES
Hi I'm in the middle of "recovery" also from having four wisdom teeth removed, on the more complicated side of surgery- which perhaps explains the pain.
So it's Sunday most thinfs are closed, I'm not responding to the pain relief tablets and for some reason today the pain has gotten really bad (post op day 6). I've been desperate for relief all day.
I just sent mum out (bless her) to get me some Clove Oil (or oil of clove) from the chemist after reading it can help.
It does!! - all you do is put a drop or two in a cotton tip and wipe slowly over area of the gum that's sore and I found it nearly instantly sent the area numb.
It's very strong so spit a few times after applying it - you don't want to swallow it. It can feel like a bit of a sting or more of a tingle sensation which doesn't last long at all. Then I found very quickly it stopped hurting and my headache is starting to going away. Thank the all mighty(s) some relief.
I'm not a medical expert but I did read a little of the masses of literature available on the benefits of clove oil, pain relief, antibacterial factors and teeth removal.
Another suggestion is to add a drop or two to some warm water and do a mouth wash with it (making sure you spit it all out).
I hope this helps manage pain symptoms, it has for me so I thought I'd share - wishing you all better.
I know this was a year ago and you are probably all healed up by now but I just wanted to write a message for anyone else looking for an answer. What you were experiencing is actually a classic sign of a dry socket! i know you said that he put stitches in the area but you can still get dry socket if the blood clot dislodges. I had a tooth extraction done on top and it still hurts 3 weeks later. The dentist told me that I had a dry socket and packed it with the most disgusting crap (clove oil) and dressings. It relieved the symptoms a little bit dry socket in general is extremely painful, causes pain from the jaw to the ear, headaches, nausea, extreme pain, fatigue... and other annoying symptoms. Anyway.. for anyone looking for an answer and the dentist may say there is nothing wrong, itās most likely a dry socket that you are experiencing- these symptoms after an extraction are classic to the condition and can last for a long time after it is extracted.
Nope mine wasnāt dry socket.
Hi Holly, i got tooth extracted 4 weeks ago and have dry socket. Most forum sites and dental sites say folk clear by 3 weeks but i am still in pain. in socket area (socket itself and palette above) jaw, headache etc. Clove oil helps to point as numbs area so i can sleep. Dentist this week took xray and saw no sign of infection and thinks i may just be taking longer to heal and possibly have lower pain threshold which may well be true. i feel like i will cope if i know in a months time there will be improvement. i just wish for healing process to speed up as seeing little improvement so far. how long did it take you to heal. My tooth came out in three parts and over an hour to get out. Any other tips - supplements, other therapies, pain relief other than paracetemol and ibuprofen
Jooooh after reading (almost) everyone's comments, I feel like mine is maybe less important.
Buuut I still need an opinion.
I had one wisdom tooth extracted 10 days ago, in-chair. I still get tooth aches and my jaw hurts, but what bothers me most is the fact that I have a headache now 24/7. Painkillers reduces the pain, but doesn't take it away completely. When is the pain suppose to go away? Should I gi back to the dentist??
reading this thread has me now petrified to get one wisdom. I also have to get the two teeth beside it removed. I'm not allowed to take pain medication because I had a problem with pain pills quite a few years ago I'm a single mother and I have to work I had another tooth taken out years ago and I had dry socket and it was the most horrible agonizing pain I've ever felt in my life. Right now I have an infection they had to cut my gums open to drain it and I can't get them pulled until the 29th I have severe anxiety and they are not putting me to sleep. I have no family to help me and just the thought of having that pain again is making me insanely scared. Has anybody had any good experiences on this thread?
12 days ago I had a tooth extracted and taking hydrocodone and amoxiciline I have a radiating pain in my ear and on the right side of my head. It comes on mostly at nights when I lie down. First I think he took out the wrong tooth even after telling him the one he kept saying was cracked was not the one that was hurting. On Wednesday last week I called the office they were out until Friday, they called back but missed the call tried calling back but to no avail couldn't reach them. Went to there office after work they were closed. Still in excruciating pain, not only theoriginal toothache but radiating pain in my ear and a headache. Tired of taking pain med with little to no relief
Hey April!
Iām sorry to hear youāre anxious! I know itās scary I had my two powers removed a week ago. You canāt take pain meds so get yourself some clove oil. It tastes like Christmas died in your mouth and it can burn lips and other skin but it works wonders for gums and extractions. Itās an ingredient in what they use to treat dry socket. Donāt use a lot and try to dilute it but this will help. Maybe google it too for further instructions. I know your scared but I know you can do this! Just try to take it easy the first few days and donāt suck!!!! Iām a smoker and i was terrified of dry socket but if your gentle (even if you donāt smoke) youāll be fine. Iām still a little achy mostly from my gums, they get itchy when they heal! I hope this helps.
Hey!
Did you try to call another dentist to see if they could see you? Sounds like yours are terrible. Hope you have better luck!