Do I have a dry socket?

[torrierilo]

I had a tooth pulled on Thursday, it is now Sunday.  I have been searching pages and pages of dental information and every site says that in order to be suffering from a dry socket, you have to have an open hole.  I do not have an open hole.  There is a blood clot that initially covered over my whole gum, but is now pushed further down into the hole, that doesn't hurt.  What hurts is my outside gums.  They feel raw and sore.  I'm just wondering if that's typical, due to the fact my poor gums just went through some trauma, or if it's something that I should be concerned about?  And is it normal for the blood clot to move further down into the hole, or is it in the process or dissolving all together?  Teeth are not fun.

[torrierilo]

you're probably right, lynn.  thank you for the response.  i'm no longer going to freak out about it :)

[lynn117]

if you had dry socket you wouldnt need to ask. you may be raw and sore from having the tooth pulled but if you were able to research your problem instead of frantically trying to get in touch with your dentist for pain meds eliminates the diagnosis of dry socket. the clot get dislodged not pushed in. as long as your are following the post care instructions you should be fine. sometimes the pain from the shots cause bruising and swelling in the areas surrounding the tooth. considering the fact you had numerous holes punched into those areas that is also normal. every day it should feel a little better. just follow the dentists instructions and quit looking at it. if there is new more intense pain or swelling contact you dentist asap.

[torrierilo]

Oh, and to add... my tongue is still swollen and tender on the left side from the shots before my extraction.  How long until that stops?  It makes it difficult to swallow.