Expert: Tony Appleton BDS DPDS - 11/22/2008

Question
I had my 2 left wisdom teeth removed on Nov, 17th and have been in pain now for 5 days. I just went back to my dentist today. The dentist indicated that I had "dry socket" in both areas, which must have been caused by me using mouth wash. He also stated that with this condition I would just have to wait it out and that there isn't anything that I can do about it. I had done some research on complications that may occur with wisdom teeth extraction and read several articles on the condition, "dry socket". I brought this up to the dentist after he said that "I would just have to wait it out" and he looked up @ the nurse and she stated that they were out of the topical medicine used for this condition. He then said to me that, that medicine doesn't really help that much anyway that I would really just need to wait it out. Does this sound right to you? I have been out of work now for 3 days and can't afford to keep missing work. Please give me any advise that you have. I am desperate.
Thank you for your time,
Kimberly

Answer
Hi Kimberly

I'm afraid your dentist doesn't seem to know very much about dry socket!!!  It was not caused by your use of mouthwash - a proportion of extraction sockets will just become infected, indeed you need to continue rinsing with either warm salt water or a good mouthwash.

There is treatment available - you should have the sockets gently irrigated and a sedative dressing placed within the sockets that will help the healing and ease the pain.  Also you can be prescribed metronidazole - an antibiotic that helps this condition.

Regards

Tony Appleton