Terrible pain post-extraction

[Lilde]

Dear all,

I had an extraction due to a fractured molar seven days ago.

I have a dry socket which got an infection. It was cleaned out and I was given antibiotics. I started taking them 48 hours ago and I'm still in horrible pain. Vile pain.

I shouldn't take ibuprofen but I haven't had any choice as it was impossible to function.

Does it usually take this long for antibiotics to work? Does it usually take this long for pain to subside a tiny little bit? I don't mind some discomfort but pain that makes me whimper and cry is far too much at this stage.

What is happening to me?

Thanks in advance for any advice/thoughts offered.

 

[MattKW]

Dry socket is not an infection, so antibiotics won't work (unless you have a secondary infection - rare). Instead, it is a premature breakdown of the blood clot.
Normal palliative practice is to place a temporary pain-killing dressing in the wound, usually with some eugenol in it, e.g Alveogyl or ZOE on a cotton pledget. This relieves the pain while the wound slowly heals.
BTW, what prevents you from taking ibuprofen? Sometimes a short course is acceptable, and works really well in combination with paracetamol after a dental procedure. But even then it's not going to control dry socket pain well.
I attach my summary sheet that I give out to my students. Management is on page 3.

 

[Lilde]

Thanks. Apparently it is rare but I do, if fact, have a secondary infection. Confirmed by two dentists. I've taken the antibiotics prescribed and things are looking up. Thanks though.