Eek! I don't want dry socket!

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-19-2003
Eek! I don't want dry socket!
6
Wed, 04-21-2004 - 8:54am
ok, I'm finally getting my wisdom teeth out next month. I scheduled my surgery a few days ago for the end of next month. I only later heard about my greatly increased risk of dry socket due to my being on an estrogen containing contraceptive. I couldn't find any information directly linking this same risk to transdermal contraceptives like my ortho evra, but Ortho Evra has estrogen as well so putting 2 and 2 together is easy. Anywho, I counted the days and if I continue on my normal patch schedule, I'm going to be on day *4* of my cycle on the day of the operation!! That is THE worst time to be having the surgery. So I called the clinic and tried to reschedule, but the next available appointment isn't until July.... So... should i mess around with my patch schedule by just skipping my next period, or will that mess up my estrogen levels even more? Oooor, should I just go off of BC until after the surgery? I'm getting all 4 of my wisdom teeth pulled at the same time and it would be just my luck to get dry socket in each stinking hole. Any suggestions?
iVillage Member
Registered: 01-20-2004
Wed, 04-21-2004 - 9:48am
Hi sirrahsim!

You know what I would do? I would call my oral surgeon and ask. They'll probably have a really good idea about the best course of action for you. I remember when I had my wisdom teeth, everyone had me freaked out about dry socket too! I wasn't on bcp at the time but there was still that risk. Either way, I think your doctor could put some of your concerns to rest. I know it's a pain to call and ask sometimes but it's your body . . .they'll just have to be patient and answer your questions!

Kristina

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
Thu, 04-22-2004 - 8:10am

I agree--call the oral surgeon and ask what they know about it.

Judie Cl for Birth Control 
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
Thu, 04-22-2004 - 9:48am
I agree with Judie!

I had all 4 of mine out at the same time when I was 18, I was on the Pill, and I had no problems. My sister was on the Pill when she had hers out last year(hers was surgical, mine was not, since mine were all grown in), and didn't get any either. The truth is, no one really knows what causes dry sockets - they have a good idea what to avoid to help try to prevent them, but sometimes, you're just gonna be one of the "lucky" ones - like my mom. She did everything right and still got one. As scary as it sounds, sometimes it's just a fact. So I wouldn't worry too much about being on the Pill with it - in fact, this is the first I've heard of it, to be honest.

But like Judie said for some tips, I did the same thing with the tea bag - the tannins in the tea help stop the bleeding. No spitting like she said, also no sucking through a straw - you'd think it would be easier, but the pressure change created in your mouth can suck the clots off! Rinsing with the salt water, of course, and all that.

I, for one, hope you have the same experience Judie did - since mine were not impacted, I just got shot full of novacaine and attacked with plier-like things. Ugh ... the sound of them coming out was the worst part!! Oops, I hope that doesn't gross you out. Seriously though, it really was a piece of cake, 20 minutes and they were gone; I had no problems and I bet you won't either!

Good luck!

Caitlin


Edited 4/22/2004 9:50 am ET ET by lagritona

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-19-2003
Thu, 04-22-2004 - 8:34pm
thanks you al for your comments:) you've really helped set my mind at ease:) I did call the oral surgeon and he said just to make sure that I will be on my off week for the surgery, just in case:) That won't be a problem, I'll just slap on a new patch at the start of week 4. My doc said that the meds they give me for the surgery shouldn't put me to sleep completely, however the last time I was given those same drugs for a different procedure I just dosed right off:p One other question though, when I go to rinse with salt water, how do I spit it out if I'm not allowed to spit. Do I just hang my head over the sink and let it run out? Or do I have to swallow it? (yuck) Thank you all so much:) I think I'm driving my sweet husband crazy already and the surgery is still more than a month away :p
iVillage Member
Registered: 04-25-2004
Sun, 04-25-2004 - 6:43am
When I had all 4 of my wisdom teeth removed a few years ago (all surgically, they were impacted) I don't think the bc really matters. I did get a dry socket which I think is the worst pain on earth so far, but because I drank from a straw afterwords. Stay away from straws, and SMOKING. Any suction can cause the blood clot to go away, thus leaving a dry socket. Avoid those things. and follow your doctors advice.
iVillage Member
Registered: 01-20-2004
Mon, 04-26-2004 - 1:50pm
Hi sirrasim,

Me again! You can spit a little - but yeah, it's best to just do it over the sink and let the water kind of "fall" out of your mouth. It sounds gross, I know, but believe me, doing that really does help you heal faster.

Other words of reassurance: everyone grimaces when you tell them you're about to get your wisdom teeth out, but everybody heals and experiences things differently. If I were you, I'd just be positive about it. You're going to be a little uncomfortable for awhile but it's better to have that discomfort now than to have the pain of an impacted tooth that needs to come out because of an emergency! My sister had one out that way and it was far worse than going in prepared. Really, you'll be fine. Take this time to eat ice cream, take naps, and catch up on some good daytime tv :)

Kristina