What could delay the healing of a tooth extraction site?

Question

Hello doctor,

I had an impacted wisdom tooth removed and another unerupted wisdom tooth removed from the lower jaw. The one on my right healed fine. The other had recurring infections. Finally, the left one was lavaged, and a piece of necrosed tooth fragment came out. Since then, I have felt the site was not healing right. It has been one to two months since that procedure.

I have always been able to feel something foreign when I feel with my tongue in the gap behind the tooth. I used a plastic toothpick and extracted something quite big; it felt like wax and not like food. Now there is a big void there. Is this normal? Did the surgeons put this foreign object there on purpose?

Kindly help.

Thank you.

Answer 1

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I read your query and understand your concern.

You are not supposed to touch the extraction site with any foreign objects. The yellow wax thing is the natural blood clot required for proper healing of the wound. Now, most probably, the socket may get infected and result in a dry socket condition.

I suggest you do warm saline gargles twice a day for a week. Then, if there is pain, consult a dentist in person for cleaning and debridement of the wound once again and closure.

I hope that you get your answer.

Please let me know if you need any help.

Thank you.