Response to dry socket or infection

[rmaran]

I am having a similar frustration. I am pretty sure I have dry socket but I think I might also have an infection. Everything on the internet seems to tell you the same information: what to do in order not to get dry socket or what it is or how the dentist will put gauze with ointments in your mouth. While I have all ready done much too much research, I would still like to know if 1. my gums being inflammed and swollen above the surgical site is a sign of infection or dry socket, 2. if there's something I can do at home since it's the weekend and the surgeons not in, and 3. if my heart racing and having palpations is just me panicking, which I have issues with, or is there some other reason my chest is kinda hurting well and 4. what are signs of an emergency after oral surgery that you may want to head to an emergency room if no surgeons in? And Please don't spout out irrelevant answers, I am a health care provider, so, I have an idea. Just not much about teeth.


This discussion is related to Dry socket or infection?.

[mememe497]

I'm not buying your story about the er at all! First of all, there is no way that the nurse didn't know what a dry socket is, and two I doubt that they told you that penicillin only comes in an injection! I also don't believe that you are a health care provider, or you would know that amoxicillin is AUGMENTIN, & it has penicillin in it!!!.....

[rmaran]

I am doing better today but seems to get worse at night. I'm pretty sure about the dry socket part because of the whole pain in my jaw thats really intense I just thought I might have an infection too cuz of the redness and swelling on my gums and fever. I went to the ER, the Dr (or whatever he was, PA?) didn't know what Dry socket was, so I explained. Then he tried to prescribe me Augmentin, which I think is a horrible med so I asked for Penicillan and he said it's only given through injection which I also thought was strange seeing I took it a couple weeks ago before my surgery in pill form, so I settled for Amoxicillan. I'm taking that and seem ok now still getting jaw pain but not as much and I see more fleshy healing stuff at surgical site, looks better and less reddness/swelling. I think my heart feels funny when I get the jaw pain, maybe it's just the pain?

[Gellia]

Hi,
Normally there is no doubt about a dry socket.  They come on suddenly and are VERY painful.  There is usually no question that there is a problem.

Swollen and painful gums could be from novocain infiltration.  Again, if it were a dry socket, it would be very evident.  

About the only thing you can do at home for yourself for pain relief is gentle warm salt water rinses.  

Chest pain could be from the anxiety you mention but also from holding your mouth open and tensing muscles across the front of your chest that you would ordinarily not tighten up.  This can cause inflammation in the chest wall itself (costochondritis).  

If you have extreme pain or swelling, a trip to the ER if you can't get your dentist may be in order as that could indicate infection.

Hope this helps some and that you are having no significant problems.
My best to you and let us know how you are doing.
Gellia