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What Causes Post Tooth Extraction Swelling?

Posted on Wed, 7 Oct 2015

Question: I had my wisdom teeth taken out last Thursday. I went to see that dentist today about pain in my right wisdom tooth and he said it might be the beginnings of a dry socket. He put this brown paste in my mouth and told me to come back in if that didn't help. I was told to rinse it out with the syringe I was given. After an hour I tried to take the brown stuff out and got a piece or two out, but it kind of hurt. Am I supposed to take it out or does it stay in or something? Should I got back in?

Answered by Dr. Honey Arora (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
The brown paste should not be removed..

Detailed Answer:
Hi..
Welcome to HEALTHCARE MAGIC..

I have gone through your query and can understand your concerns..

As per your query if there seems to be the beginning of Dry Socket then the brown paste placed is a medicated dressing placed in the extraction socket that help in initiating healing of the extraction socket and also has a soothing or sedative action which helps in reducing pain..

You should not remove it and it should be kept placed so that it can help in healing of the extraction socket..

Rinsing using syringe is to be done to maintain cleanliness around the extraction socket to prevent infections which can further be painful and delay healing..

Along with the dressing if you still experience pain you can take anti-inflammatory painkiller like Ibuprofen..

If by mistake you have removed the dressing you should consult with your dentist and get the dressing re-placed.

Hope this information helps..

Any further questions are welcome..

Thanks and regards..
Dr.Honey Nandwani Arora..

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D

Follow up: Dr. Honey Arora (2 hours later)

So im guess that the brown paste will go away on its own?

Answered by Dr. Honey Arora (40 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Yes.

Detailed Answer:
Hi..
Welcome Again..

Yes, it will gradually start dissolving but in case it the brown paste is COATED on a piece of gauze then it has to be removed by your dentist..

Other thing is that you should get the dressing changed every two to three days till considerable healing takes place, so every time a fresh dressing will have a better action as well as dentist will be able to evaluate the progress of healing..

So, it will be better that you follow up with your dentist after 3 to 4 days and get the dressing changed with a fresh one..

Hope this information helps..

Thanks and regards.
Dr.Honey Nandwani Arora.

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Sonia Raina