Discomfort after extractions

[simonmcg]

Two weeks ago, August 4th, I had 3 teeth taken out. My top front two and one on the bottom. the one on the bottom is fine and for the first few days I was fine with my top plate in. Over the past week, however, the pain just above wher my front two teeth were has increased. The whole area seems very tender to the extent that even shaving is painful and have decided to grow a moustache for the time being. For the first few days i was rinsing my mouth out with warm salt water 3 times a day as well. I have made an appointment at my dentist for Friday 22nd. I haven't worn my denture for two days now and the discomfort isn't getting any better so I am not convinced my denture is the problem. Someone suggested there may be an infection.

Mushy foods for me in the meantime!

The extractions themselves were done at the dental unit of my local hospital under sedation as it has been found that I go into shock after having an extraction. Something I first discovered when I fainted about 4 hours after having extractions previously. Since then I either faint or am sick anytime between half an hour to 6 hours after an extraction.  

[Jerome Tsang, DDS]

Yes, you may need some denture adhesive cream initially as the area is healing.  What happens is that when a tooth is removed, the bone will resorb (jaw bone that is) and change shape.  Since the denture relies on the jaw bone for support, that will tend to loosen a bit over time.  You should return to your dentist every now and then for an adjustment to tighten them up.  It takes a few months for the bone to stabilize at which time, you will notice you'll need less and less adjustments and they tend to stay tighter longer.

As for your denture, I would recommend taking them out at night and brushing them with water.  You should also place the denture in water anytime its not in your mouth.

[simonmcg]

I've just been at my dentist as I was alos due a check up anway. The discomfort is easing quite a bit but during my check up my dentist noticed some puss oozing from the sockets of the top two. She was saying this could well have been the cause of the discomfort.

The denture fits great especially if I use some denture fixing cream. It stops me from playing about with them as well! The more I wearthem the more I'll get used to them, but finding the denture fixing cream works a treat I'll continue with that. As I shower daily I'll let my dentures soak while I shower and then clean the teeth I have in my mouth!

[Jerome Tsang, DDS]

I'm not sure why you would faint/have shock after an extraction.  That is a bit unusual.  

As for the source of pain, its possible that there may be a small piece of the tooth remaining in the area that could be causing the problem.  Also, the fit of the denture may result in some trauma in the area which may take a few more days to resolve.  For the meantime, monitor the pain and inform your dentist is the pain increases more than it already has.  You may want to discontinue use of your denture and maintain as good oral hygiene as you can in the area.