Extraction & Filling

[Hersilia]

Hi,

I had an extraction done on Wednesday and everything went fine ( according to the dentist) and the bleeding stopped after a few hours. Next day (Thursday) I gently brushed my teeth, avoiding the extraction site but I did gargled with salt water ( I forgot I shouldnt gargle , but gently rinse). However, I don;t have an ache there up to now ( Friday), so I read that I'm safe from a dry socket. However, there's a horrible smell coming from the extraction site - I rinse with salt water after every meal and gently brush my teeth with non whitening toothpaste, but the smell just came up on Thursday and it's still there - I am worried that it may be an infection?! Also, I'm a smoker - I know I shouldnt smoke, but unfortunately, I cannot help it - I do rinse with salt water after I smoke . Is this rotten smell normal for a few days? I also had a filling done, and it felt fine up to one day after I had it filled - I now have a toothache - it's not extremely painful, but I can feel something there - if I take a pain killer it goes away, but then comes back after a few hours - but it's not a great deal of pain - again, is this normal? My dentist told me to come back in 6 months after I had these procedures done, but with the smell and the pain I dont know whether I need to call them ?!

[Dr Mohsen J. Esfahani]

Thank you for your post.

You should avoid smoking for 1 week post tooth extraction as it increases the risk of dry socket which can be very painful. People usually get dry socket 3 days post extraction. With the smell you can rinse with salt water or mouthwash to reduce that smell and if you are worried, you can see your dentist for a review to make sure its healing well.

Sensitivity after deep fillings can happen and is common and usually settles down in time but occasionally it does not and in those cases root canal treatment may become necessary.