15 days Post Extraction PAIN!

That's why I'm so worried! When I clean out my mouth with the syringe I gargle salt water as well. I mean I gargle atleast 3 times a day if time I do more. So I'm concerned it's an infection. The stitches are dissolvable, but there is one inside my gum that is bothering me when I swallow foods or liquids. My tongue also brushes against it alot which can also be pretty painful....

Stick to straws. I had 2 pulled and pain meds helped a lot. Also I was on anti biotics two before and one after. 

Call tomorrow and talk to the nurse express your concerns and set a appt may be the best way to get thru. I am concerned about the pain you describe it can be a infection as well as the other issues you have.

yikes I hate any one messin in my mouth but dentists need to keep us healthy. Sometimes I'd rather shovel out the barn.

I agree with everyone else here - it sounds like infection. Go back to your dentist again (or the ER if he won't see you) and in the meantime keep up the salt-water rinses.

The one thing in your post that concerns me the most is the amount of Tylenol you're taking (US generic name acetaminophen or APAP). This stuff isn't the nice, harmless OTC pain-killer it's promoted as. It's very easy to OD on it without meaning to and even the recommended dose can cause irreversible liver damage if taken for too long without a break. They've had a lot of unintentional deaths in the UK from people taking a very small overdose or combining it with something else (usually a cold cure) that contained the same active ingredient without realising it.

For European readers, the generic name over here is paracetamol - I realise generics are usually the same the world over, but this one's an exception. Trade names are Panadol in the UK and Dafalgan in continental Europe.

Wherever you are in the world, please treat this stuff with respect. It doesn't cause unconsciousness in overdose, but it irreversibly damages the liver, causing death in a couple of weeks unless a donor can be found.

Thank you for your concern! I have only taken 3 today at 9 am and I didn't take any last night like I bormally do to sleep. It's really not even the pain of the extraction site, it's that suture that hasn't dissolved. It's actually pretty hard now so.. Im worried. It smells and it is always bothering my tongue! And my teeth that were next to the extracted ones are still SO sensitive when they touch one another (top and bottom)

Glad to hear you're not overdoing it with the Tylenol! I still think you should see your dentist - or at least a doctor - about the smell and the pain in the socket, just in case it is an infection. It's really not a good idea to be walking around with an infection in your head.

I hope all goes well and you're soon out of pain!

Just in case you guys were wondering, I finally got to look at my mouth back there (well my boyfriend did) and he notice a bone or a tooth, on the side of the gum where one of my wisdom teeth wrre removed. I wish I could upload a picture. Anyway, it's REALLY yellow and I cant brush it because that entire spot hurts sooo bad. Maybe that's what smells??

Thank you! Just in case you guys were wondering, I finally got to look at my mouth back there (well my boyfriend did) and he notice a bone or a tooth, on the side of the gum where one of my wisdom teeth wrre removed. I wish I could upload a picture. Anyway, it's REALLY yellow and I cant brush it because that entire spot hurts sooo bad. Maybe that's what smells??

Krys, you mustn't even attempt to brush the area! Please go back to your dentist immediately.

I have been gently brushing for 2 weeks and have usually gotten a little blood when i finish. I have an appointment at 11 today. I hope I didnt do any damage! I still don't know what it is THANK YOU!

Sounds like dry socket - i.e. failure of the socket to heal, exposing the bone, which has no inherent protection against infection, unlike superficial tissues. I'm afraid you shouldn't have been brushing it.

I realise this warning is a bit late for you but for anyone else reading this - never brush the area of the socket after an extraction, however gently. It needs to be left to heal naturally.

Your dentist will probably be able to fix the problem with antibiotics, though it might also be necessary to perform a curetage (scraping away) of the dead bone, which is probably what's causing the smell. After this it will heal normally.

Please ask your dentist exactly how to manage the area and follow his instructions carefully. You'll be fine then.

THANK YOU LILY! You're amazing, and so attentive! I wish you were my dentist I will definitely remember to post what my dentist says after my visit, just in case someone else has a similar problem in the future! Fingers crossed!

Thank you for posting the outcome, Krys. As I recall, we've had quite a few similar cases on this site, and I'm sure they'll profit from your experience.

And don't worry if the dentist does have to perform a curetage. I know it sounds a bit horrific but it's done under local and you don't feel a thing. I had to have it done myself 25 years ago - though under completely different circumstances - and everything healed up very quickly afterwards.