How long should pain last after a tooth extraction?

Lower tooth extraction - how long can I expect the pain to last?

• I had a tooth extracted on the bottom right hand side under IV sedation yesterday. Not at the front, but not at the back, sort of in the middle. Basically, it was a tooth that never grew when my adult teeth came through - it had been lying dormant for 10 years! But last summer - it started to grow! It came up and wedged itself between two of my exsisting teeth! Because it was stuck in such an awkward position, I obviously couldn't get to it very well whilst cleaning my teeth and it started to decay. For weeks I was in agony until I finally had no choice and gave in and went to the dreaded dentist! He took a look and then had to refer me to a specialise clinic who would sedate me (because they knew it would be difficult to remove and I am a nervous patient as it is). It took another two agonising weeks for my letter to come through from the clinic, I rang them to make the appointment and they were booked up for the next 3 weeks! *Somehow* I made it through the 3 weeks and got to my appointment without ripping the thing out myself (which I can tell you - was a very tempting thought at times!) By now, the tooth had been bad for aggggess and decaying more and more - Id been in complete agony! I had 3 dentists and 2 dental nurses in the room with me on the day of my appointment, they took a look at the tooth and said that it may be difficult to remove because it was in a very awkward wedged position and decayed all on one side but that the drug would help me relax and get through it easier. The IV was inserted and although still awake and very aware of what was going on, I didn't feel as nervous. They tried to get the tooth out for ages, all I could hear was them chatting amongst themselves "no - that's not working" "no, stop that, we're gonna have to try something else" then to me "are you alright dear? its just being a little difficult is all" Because of the drug I was able to stay calm and lost all awareness of time but I was later told I had been in that chair with 3 dentists trying to get the tooth out for a good 10 minutes! I was also told to expect alot of bruising and swelling as it had taken so long. They had used so much of that numbing injection stuff that when I went home, I was literally numb up to the eyebrows and stayed that way for most of the day! When I woke up this morning, the pain was minimal and the dentist called me literally just as I woke up to see how I was doing as it was such a traumatic extraction. I said I was absolutely fine.. that was.. until my 13 hour shift at work! As soon as I got to work and started talking (Im a waitress, pretty hard to avoid) the pain increased dramatically and at the points during the day, the wound was bleeding again! By the end of my shift, I was in complete agony! Im wondering if this kind of pain is normal and how long I can expect it to last? Or if maybe its infected - I don't know? =S I booked this weekend off work to celebrate my best friends birthday... shame this pain will ruin it for me! I was in soooo much pain with the tooth for so long, I kinda thought that after yesterday - all the pain would be gone! How wrong was I! Any advice would be much appreciated!

• Answer:

  Ouch. I'd say DON'T TALK if at all possible. Take some time off. Let it heal. THose muscles and tissue need to mend before you make them flex and move. Ice on your ear will help the pain. In the long run, time is the only thing that will make that feel better. Sorry for your ordeal and good luck. I'm praying for you. But... I'm an atheist so sad to say you're on your own. All the best still.