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Avatar universal

Dry socket....How long till all clear?

I have been getting WAY too many different opinions.

How long after having my wisdom teeth pulled (Bottoms) am I clear to continue to smoke and drink through straws and such to avoid a dry socket? I am on day 6, some say drink and smoke away, and some are telling me 2 weeks, which seems REALLY extreme. Other sites say just dont do it for 24-48 hours.

I have NEVER heard of someone getting a dry socket after day 5, yet some say its possible after 2 weeks.

Please, I need REAL advice from someone that knows what they are talking about.

Thank you
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Avatar universal
Hi. Sorry to hear about your dry socket. I just had to answer your post because I had a dry socket for just over 4 weeks and thought the pain would never end!! My dentist dressed the socket ever other day for 4 weeks until eventually the socket just squeezed the dressing out because it was closing up. He even came in at weekends to try and help my pain!! I had three lots of antibiotics which I'm not sure helped or not. I used to wake up every morning and wonder if the pain would ever end. My dentist said he had never known a socket take so long to heal and he has been a dentist for quite some years!! Be patient because it will eventually heal but may take some time. Good luck!
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Avatar universal
A related discussion, Wisdom tooth extraction was started.
Helpful - 0
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A related discussion, do i have a dry socket? was started.
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A related discussion, Typhoon was started.
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Avatar universal
In my case, it's been 10 days since my extraction and things seem to be going relatively well (apart from a veryvery minor case of dry socket that barely gave any pain), but today, by mistake, I sneezed and felt a piece of something get dislodged from my bottom teeth.  I'm scared that I've just gotten a case of dry socket more than a week after extraction :( On inspection with a flashlight, I can see into the hole, see some white material which i assume is bone.. Hole seems relatively small, I guess, being roughly circular with a 5-6 mm diameter.  It's been roughly 4 hours since it happened and, so far, there seems to be no pain, but I'm still worried that I screwed up (so close to home stretch in terms of worrying about dry sockets, too, from what I've heard).  Am I worrying for nothing?
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
i got my tooth out 6 days ago and it was hurting from the time my freezing came out.
i thought it was cause he had to twist and tug and drill to get it out
i DO NOT  smoke or drink hot beverages and have been following instructions except for the gargling with salt water and i still got it.
i went to the dr today and he put a herbal plant type thing in my hole and it tastes like nutmeg ( i hate nutmeg) and i have been dealing with that yucky taste in my mouth all day and he said it will fall out in a couple day ( not soon enough with this taste).
my friend said that he dr just made hers bleed again and then try to clot it again...wonder if it would have been better then what mine did.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
i got my tooth out 6 days ago and it was hurting from the time my freezing came out.
i thought it was cause he had to twist and tug and drill to get it out
i DO NOT  smoke or drink hot beverages and have been following instructions except for the gargling with salt water and i still got it.
i went to the dr today and he put a herbal plant type thing in my hole and it tastes like nutmeg ( i hate nutmeg) and i have been dealing with that yucky taste in my mouth all day and he said it will fall out in a couple day ( not soon enough with this taste).
my friend said that he dr just made hers bleed again and then try to clot it again...wonder if it would have been better then what mine did.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Typhoon,
You are being really harsh. Since I am a smoker, I pay more attention to my dental hygiene than I have seen many Non-smokers do. Really...Do you brush 5 and 6 times a day?
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Smoke if you must - but dont expect your socket to heal well.

In fact - go ahead and smoke - really the damage is already done - due to the nicotine (and other **** in tobacco) your oral tissues are already deprived of a decent blood supply, and totally unhealth and unable to withstand trauma or infection - oh and of cours smokers have lots and lots of nasty bacteria in their mouths (anaerobes etc) the non-smokers do not have.

The time to have stopped smoking woudl have been 6 months ago - but cant do any harm to stop now, then again it doent do any harm to 'bolt the stable door after the horse has gone' either!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I wouldn't take anybody's opinion on what they "think" is the correct amount of time for you not to do the activities you were asking about.  If you are unsure and want to do what's best for your body to heal properly, you should call the dental office that treated you.  It would only take a few minutes for the staff there to answer your questions.  Many things need consideration when answering this question (Ex: level of difficulty removing tooth, health history, etc.).  Your dentist will be the best one to determine how much longer you need to follow the post-operatory directions and if I were you I wouldn't take anybody's advice except for his.
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Avatar universal
what is it you want to smoke?? lol you know its hard to say. by day six you should be ok but it doesnt mean you wont end up with a problem. so its all about what you want. you really miss your straw? id give it a few more days, i had a dry socket a million years ago and it was horrible. but you have to choose yourself.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Well, 1 thing I REALLY miss is my coffee!!
I have been a zombie for 5 days!
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Avatar universal
haha I smoke a pipe, which I would guess is even worse than cigs.

I just want to know...How long till I can suck and spit and do all the things you shouldnt to avoid a dry socket.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
hehe, I dont have a dry sockey :)

I am wondering if I have safely avoided one, so I can continue my normal life.
I did get one last time, thats why Im worried.

My question is, By day 6, if all is good, can I go back to smoking (not cigs) and drinking through a straw???
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Dry sockets form after one to three days post extraction. Dry sockets do not form two weeks post op. You can do your normal things you have been doing but it would certainly be a good idea if you didn't smoke.
Helpful - 0

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