5 Days After Extractions, Questions & Long

[AK710]

Ok I'm the ultimate worrywart and my first wisdom tooth extraction was scheduled for Jan 28th, but I ended up with an upper resp. infection so I had to postpone surgery for Feb. 2. I have a dental appt. on the 8th and it will be deep scaling a quadrant to get everything ready for braces. Everyone from my ortho, to dentist to the anesthesiologist told me that it is ok to have the appt. since it will be 8 days later. Is this ok? I haven't had much problems, but I'm afraid I will have a problem since I have to have local administered and then they will use the suction on me.

Is the pain associated with new spacers and then new braces that bad? I ended up hoarding my Percocet from my operation b/c I'm terrified that I won't be able to eat and I have to go out of town so I have to be able to eat. I plan on taking Motrin first (especially since I may be driving). As you can see I'm terrified and I'm watching way too many youtube vids that is only scaring me even more.

Recap: Is 8 days after 4 wisdom teeth extractions too soon to have your teeth deep cleaned?

Will Motrin curb the pain associated with spacers and braces or should I keep the last 5 Percocet pills around just in case?

[Denise]

Regarding the tooth cleaning question, you need to call your dentist to ask about that. That is going to be your only sure way to get a 100% positive answer.

The pain question is hard to say. Everyone experiences pain differently. My ortho told me that I've had more pain than his 'usual' patient. I've had a LOT of pain. It took me two weeks to recover from the pain of getting braces on, but the pain was never so bad that a couple ibuprofen didn't make it better. I highly doubt you will need percocet. I am in my last few adjustments before my debanding now, and I'm in a lot of pain due to the last few things they've done. But you'll be ok, don't be surprised if you have a lot of sensitivity, but that's to be expected. You'll be very frustrated and very annoyed, but you will adjust so don't worry. We've all gone through the same thing.

[AK710]

I talked to my dentist and we are going to move it back. I'm just worried because since I had to move my extraction back by a few days, I will end up going to the dentist or orthodontist every week this month and since the first week was wisdom teeth and weeks 3 & 4 are spacers and braces I know I'm going to be frustrated. I just really want to eat. WAAAAAAAA (excuse me for being a baby, but if anything I know you can relate). You're right about the Motrin, I think it will be enough to curb the pain from my braces.

I think I'm going to spend the day before the spacers eating a large bucket of buttered, movie popcorn and chewing an ungodly amount of cinnamon gum. Thanks!

[Sunny]

Hopefully it will all go well for you and it's good that your ortho is accommodating your concerns.

Generally I doubt it would affect anyone who's had a good extraction, but if you're worried and stressing, it's best to make sure you're feeling as confident as possible.

Where I work we don't use spacers, so I can't comment personally about them. I have read that they're uncomfortable due to 'tight' connections between teeth. In your case the connections may not be as tight, due to your extractions. Maybe this will help ... I really don't know.

For most people, getting braces put on is not painful and only uncomfortable for a few. For those who find their mouth is sore, 'over the counter' pain meds usually work well and aren't needed for long. You need to be active to help your mouth feel good. This means making sure you are well hydrated, covering any brackets that rub with wax (and only removing the wax to brush), rinsing 5+ times a day with salt water and ensuring your oral hygiene is A1.

Good luck with everything that lies ahead!

[AK710]

Ugh, fortunately I already had my right side done so we only have the left side to do. I got my spacers on today (thinking about starting a blog) and have had them on for an hour and a half and so far the Motrin has worked like a charm so I'm hoping it stays that way. I barely notice them and they hurt less now than when they were put in. I'm hoping it stays like that, but the ortho said they will probably start hurting tomorrow morning.

[Denise]

Yes I've found that the pain doesn't really kick in for me until later in the day, and especially in the 2-3 days that follow. Typically now, it takes about 4 - 5 days for me to be completely sensitivity free after an adjustment. I try to take as few pain killers as possible simply because they are so hard on the body to digest, but every now and then I have to take them because the pain is killing me. But don't worry! It doesn't last. There will come a time again when you will be mostly comfortable eating the same foods you used to.