my son had one lower wisdom tooth taken out 5 days ago. it's getting more difficult each day for him to chew. and hes in pain. the doc says its bruised but i think it sounds like damage to the jaw maybe from the drill. Im really worried.
Optional Information: Person's Gender: Male Person's Age: 21 Already Tried: salt water rinse, on antiiotics, painkillers
Hello, are you there?
yes
Your son may have dry socket.
did you get my question?
humm
they say no
the pain seems more related this trying to move his jaw and chew
thats why im afraid his jaw was damaged by the drill
its the chewing ction thats causing the pain
action
Does he has any pain if he doesn't chew?
yes some
good point
but it is almost impossible for him to chew
im terrifired
that something really bad happened
Yes, dry socke can cause that much pain.
socket
but it didn't start until 2 days after surgery and is getting progressively worse
but if its dry socket
why is it worse when he chews
Dry socket is the most common postoperative complication from tooth extractions is characterized by the partial or total premature loss of a blood clot that forms after extraction, exposed bone and nerves to outside, results in severe pain.
its not severe pain
more an ache
but the action of chewing is the issue
The bone is exposed, that is why he has pain.
he saw an ora surgeon test who sai it wasnt dry socket
but bruising
but my son didnt realize then that the problem was with the chewnig action
Can you look at his mouth to see if there is any blood clot in the socket?
i cant tell but the doc test said there was and then
he squirted water in and he said if it was dry socket
luke would have been in really severe pain
so youre not worried that ots something wrong from the drill
or damamge to his jaw?id rather it be dry socket
You may have bruise to the gums area. It is very hard to drill through the bone.
oh
there is a lot of bruising in the gum
would that make it hard for him to chew>
Did he has swelling?
?
in the beginning it was swollen that seems to have gone down
So the only thing he has is pain during chewing, am I correct?
and less pain when not chewing
O.K , your son just experienced trauma from wisdom tooth surgery. If he can rinse his mouth real well with warm salt water and eat only soft food for few days.
but that what hes been doing since his surgery tuesday and its now sunday and not getting better
Did he also have soft foods all this time?
Do you think you can get him a syringe to irrigate directly to the wound?
it should be getting better but its not
i thnk its realted to the movement of the jaw
i keep saying that i know
Can you feel his TMJ infront of his ear?
whats a tmj
It is a joint connecting the lower jaw to the skull.
i asked my dentist if he could have that cuz I saw it online and he said it only happens in poestmenaupausal women
When your son has surgery, he might have to open his mouth wide for long time, that can traumatize the joint. But it should be temporary.
Anyone can have TMJ problems.
Did your son has pain spread to the ear?
it has spread to his ear
I think we found the cause of his pain.
the doc used a drill and split the tooth and didnt even tell us luke told me after but it was a fast surgery
if its tmj what is the treatment
and is it serious??
and do you think it could have been caused by carelessness or misuse of the drill
No, it is temporary in your son's case. You can let him try to do muscle excercise.
so you dont think its serious or a permanent problem
No. Here is what he can try:Stretching the muscle: this can be done by slowly opening your mouth as wide and you comfortably can and then slowly closing. Then slowly opening to the left side as wide as you comfortably can and then slowly closing. Then slowly opening to the right side as wide as you comfortably can and then slowly closing.
ok
are u pretty positive that its nothing more serious?
Repeat these movements until your muscles feel better before move on to (2). These stretching exercise can be done while driving, watching TV, shopping, and during a lot of other times.
2. Repeat the same movement as in (1) but this time use your hand to gently push a little further than just by opening your mouth yourself. Do not apply too much force. If this causes a lot of pain, stop the exercise.
3. Placing moist hot towels on each side of your face while doing this exercise to Improve the blood circulation . Change the towels when it becomes cold. You can continue to reheat the towels and repeat the exercise until your muscles feel better.
humm ok
so i shouldnt worry
this will clear up
Your son never have this problem before, right?
right
That is why< I know he will be o.k
ok only one more question and ill leave
could this be causes by the denntist being rough or careless
and why did it not start for 2 days after
It is very difficult for the dentist to see the wisdom teeth especially when it is impacted. In order for the dentist to do good job, the dentist would like the patient to open ad wide as possible. Since his joint and his muscle are not used to with that kind of action, the surgery tends to tramatize the joint and the muscles in some patients.
as
ok thanks a lot for your time
It is up to how your son moved his jaw after surgery also.
Experience: I am a general dentist with over 20 years in practice.
How is your son? Is he o.k now?