hey im day three of tooth extraction there is white stuff on my gum thats soft ive been using outh wash non alcholic and ive got a strange taste almost like metallic there is a tiny bit of throbbing but nothing else i feel okay. is it an infection or dry socket?
What you're describing might be a normal part of the healing process after a tooth extraction. Here are some points to consider:
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White Stuff on the Gum: After a tooth extraction, it's not uncommon to see a white or yellowish film over the extraction site. This is often a combination of fibrin, a protein involved in clotting and wound healing, and food debris. It's part of the normal healing process.
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Metallic Taste: Some patients report a metallic or "blood-like" taste following a tooth extraction. This could be due to small amounts of blood oozing from the site or changes in the oral environment following the procedure.
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Pain and Throbbing: Some mild discomfort, pain, and throbbing are typical after a tooth extraction, especially in the first few days. This usually starts to diminish after 48-72 hours.
Dry Socket is a painful condition that can occur after a tooth extraction where the blood clot that normally forms in the socket is lost prematurely, exposing the underlying bone. The symptoms of dry socket include:
- Severe pain that doesn't get better after 3-4 days but instead gets worse.
- A noticeable, fully or partially empty hole where the extraction was.
- A bad odor or taste in the mouth.
Infection after a tooth extraction is less common but can occur. Symptoms might include:
- Increased pain or swelling after the first couple of days.
- Pus or discharge from the extraction site.
- Fever or feeling unwell.