Wow, it's been 32 hours since I ever extracted my tooth, and now I finally felt so much better to be able to type out this post after much await.
[On a side note, I was 18 when I left off from my previous blog post. Now, I am 21 years old. Time surely flies and many things have changed! I am just so thankful to the Lord.]
And....can I also say, right now I am just so happy to be back updating here on my blog?!
Alright, let me get straight to the topic now.
On Monday, I went to my dental clinic to have 4 of my premolars tooth extracted.
Background Information: Just a weeks ago, I went for my first online and clinic consultation to see my Orthodontist, Dr Ivan at Greenlife Dental Clinic.
You might be wondering, why do I still went ahead to the decision of having 4 of my premolars tooth out? Honestly, it was not an easy decision. I made it on the spot too. From my first online consultation, I have understood from Dr Ivan that he will usually try not to remove any tooth from the patients unless it is needed. After our first review assessment at the clinic, he had explained to me his advise on why it has to be taken out.
I remembered I was so worried even I have made this decision. But one thing I have learnt, is to trust your orthodontist. (He was recommended to me by a friend as well). I have also read up online that most people have their tooth taken out, and it is quite rare that their tooth are remained. I believe this is due to your condition as well.
As for mine, it was due to overcrowding, thus tooth extractions needed.
For your information, premolars are either your 4th or 5th tooth from the front. (Picture below for your reference).
Day 1
The first day somehow, was really tiring. I guess this is to deal with the post effects of an extraction. You just feel very weak somehow.
I encouraged you to have sufficient rest, especially on the first day.
Below was what happened for my experience.
9am: Start of appointment with my dentist, Dr Evelyn.
- Scaling and Polishing with a thorough cleaning on gums and tooth.
- Local Anaesthesia (Something fruity was pasted on my gums. There was no pain. Peeked open my eye a little, saw the injections thereafter.)
- Extraction of tooth (It felt slightly weird, as the assistant had to help hold your head to prevent any movement. But there was no pain or any feeling at all during the extractions too. Probably at most you will hear some turning sound of your tooth.)
10:45am: End of procedure. Dr Evelyn explained how I could care for my wound.
- No spitting, no drinking through straws as it might hinder healing. (No hot liquids too.)
- Change out gauze when it is soaked. It usually has to be changed after 20 minutes.
- Put the gauze in your extraction site such that it has pressure, so that bleeding will stop.
- Take the painkillers after a hour or one and a half hour as anaesthesia might wear off by then.
Left the clinic at 10:50am, made my way to the clinic. The MRT ride was approximately 13 minutes ride. I remembered feeling how my mouth is filled with so much saliva and blood. I was anxious to get back home.
Tip #1 Get home as soon as possible after your tooth extractions.
We were not supposed to spit it out. After I got off the train, I could not wait anymore to take the bus back home. I rushed to the toilet immediately after tapping out to change out the gauze. Honestly, I was not able to swallow the blood and saliva. It was too much. Instead, I let the blood flow out from my mouth naturally as we are discouraged to spit it out.
There was just so much blood. And I got home as soon as possible from there.
Tip #2 Only have your painkillers when you're able to. Do not be afraid to wait.
I was so anxious to have my painkillers shortly after the first hour. It was a bad choice. There was just so much blood that I could not drink any water at all. It was difficult to swallow the pills too. As I decide to take natural by its course, I only managed to have the painkillers after 1 hour 45minutes.
01:30am: It has been almost three hours, and my anaesthesia still isn't worn out. And oh, your lips and mouth will feel very numb, especially on your lower lip. I was not able to feel my gums or mouth at all. I was surprised as I expected it to be worn off after 2 hours. But it stayed there for a couple more hours. But it is still bearable, no issue on that.
4pm: I still do not feel comfortable to drink any water or have any warm porridge. It took me awhile to settle down and convince myself that it is alright to drink water. And oh, be prepared as there will surely be rice or stuff getting into your the extraction site as you swallow the food. Although we are not able to spit out food or gargle, it is still alright to gargle lightly and swallow the water. I have also read online that you may take 1/4 teaspoon of salt water to lightly gargle in your mouth. It might take awhile to have it out. But do not worry, the more you drink water, it will somehow come out by itself.
But please, stick to only porridge the first two days! Extremely important. (Advised too by my clinic)
I tried to eat salmon, mashed potatoes and soft eggs on my first night. Slight regrets on that.
Tip #3 Do not drink anything for the first hour within your tooth extractions!
Day 2
I was so hungry and tired in the morning till afternoon. I still did not felt comfortable to have any solid food. I bought 2 boxes of porridge for my meals.
I took a short nap after my online classes end at noon. The nap was so much needed. Day 2 felt so much better. However, I still felt painful and swollen my lower extraction site. I was so worried if it was a dry socket.
A dry socket is painful dental condition that sometimes happens after you have a permanent adult tooth extracted. Dry socket is when the blood clot at the site of the tooth extraction fails to develop, or it dislodges or dissolves before the wound has healed.
However, I read up online that there might be pain or swollen after 24-48 hours of the procedure. Most people also feel better after 3 days.
Below is from one of the articles I extracted from which gives a clearer answer.
"Symptoms of Dry Socket: Worsening pain, bad odour, bad taste
NOT Symptoms of Dry Socket: Swelling, redness, fever, white colour in socket, or stiffness of the jaw."
However other sources do state that a white socket might indicate a dry socket too. Do keep a lookout if the pain does not gradually go away over the few days.
As for my extraction site, It does feel slightly hurt now, praying that this will get away soon. And oh, placing a cold ice pack on the affected area on your face does helps too. Do not forget to take the painkillers if you are still feeling any pain or inflammation at this point.
Day 3
There was so much difference from Day 3 onwards. Got more used to it. Managed to slowly chew on more solid food again. As I hung out with friends, speaking became a lot better. What seemed to be the worse are over. Praise the Lord. I am just so thankful that everything became so much better.
Photos
Below are my Before and After photo's respectively. (Oops, did not manage to take a proper "before" shot before the procedure.)
Initially, I was so worried beforehand that it would be so obvious that I had missing tooth in my mouth. But I guess it seems alright in the front view as I smile slightly wider too. Can't wait to get my braces on this Saturday!
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Before Extractions
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After Extractions
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More photos: (Side Views)
Not going to lie, but it is very obvious for my sides. :-(
Before & After
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Before- Right Side
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| Before- Left Side |
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| After- Right Side |
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After- Left Side
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After extracting 4 of my teeth, I realised how my teeth really need braces BADLY. (Before extraction, people were telling me, "your teeth looks ok what??")
I can't wait for my perfect teeth that is to come. No pain no gain indeed they say. It is all going to be worth it.
To those that have been long considering to ever do your braces to correct your bite or improve your smile, just do it.
"I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us" Romans 8:18
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