Dry Socket Pain... In the land of the Rising Sun

Question

Hello all. I recently had one of my wisdom teeth removed(Lower Right). While the removal went fine a few days later I developed a dry socket. I have to be honest this is almost as much pain as when I had appendicitis. It feels like someone is stabbing me my right temple and the socket where my tooth was and then twisting it. I am currently living in Japan and the Dentist cannot give me a prescription for pain killers and is suggesting that I take OTC ibuprofen. Should I go to the hospital because honestly I cannot function like this. Or does anyone have any advice as to what I can do or specific medicines I should ask for.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers

Kevin

Answer 1

I would return to your dentist and ask him to pack some eugenol (oil of cloves) periodontal dressing into the area. Take the OTC ibuprofen but repeat your request for painkillers. You can alternate taking ibuprofen and acetaminophen/paracetamol drugs. If you don't speak Japanese well enough to translate medical/dental terminology take a native speaker along with you. I don't know what type of visa you have and if you have access to the Japanese public health system - it can be pretty gnarly to deal with, but if the pain becomes unbearable I would go to the hospital and request meds there. If the dentist can't/won't pack it for you try and purchase a bottle of clove oil and a dropper - cleanse the area removing any food debris and drop a dropper-full of clove oil into the dry socket - you may be able to purchase "oil of cloves" at a health food store if you can't find it at the kusuri-ya. Alternate cold packs and warm packs on your face in the affected area.

Make sure while your dry socket is healing that you don't smoke or suck through a straw - the pressure created in the mouth can worsen the condition and decrease blood flow to the area which prevents healing. Ask the dentist or try and purchase a plastic syringe from the kusuri-ya and flush the area out with warm salt water, or do warm salt water rinses, Make sure food isn't getting lodged up in the area but also don't dig stuff out too roughly. Gentle brushing and swirling an anti-microbial rinse around (gently!) will help decrease the bacterial count in your mouth to help try and avoid infection