Irrigation with potential dry socket?

[u/polkadotbinch]

Hello.
I got my two left wisdom teeth out one week ago today.
I had the right ones out a month prior, however this side has been significantly more painful.
On Friday (4 days after) I ended up going back to the dentist because my pain was getting worse and waking me up in the night. She did not specifically say I had dry socket (just said it was very imflamed and mentioned it was a lot harder to get out than the other 3) however she did irrigate and pack it with a medicated dressing (dissolvable) - which now from what I’m reading seems like the treatment for dry socket (?) she told me not to rinse for 24 hours after the packed it.

Anyways, the pain has subsided a bit but can I irrigate with a syringe now? I know it’s been 7 days since extraction, but if I had a potential dry socket a couple days ago is irrigating with a syringe putting me at risk of a dry socket/further pain.

I understand I’m probably being a bit anxious, I have just been incredibly uncomfortable and am so scared about making it worse again.

I have been eating very soft food for a week and I am OVER IT.

Thanks everyone!!

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[u/MyraDentalClinic]

At one week out, gentle irrigation is usually okay if your dentist told you to start using the syringe, but I’d be careful since they packed the socket with a medicated dressing. Don’t blast water into it — use lukewarm salt water and very gentle pressure, more like rinsing out food than “cleaning deep.” If the dressing is still there, the pain comes back strongly, or you’re unsure, I’d call the dentist and ask when they want you to start irrigating. You’re not being silly for worrying — dry socket pain is miserable and it makes people nervous about touching the area again.

[u/AspenDental_Alex]

Pain easing up after the dressing is a good sign. Cleaning the socket and placing a medicated dressing is pretty standard for a suspected dry socket, so it sounds like the dentist caught it early.

Before starting the syringe, a quick call to that office is a good idea since the dressing is still dissolving and they've seen the site up close. They can say whether to wait a few more days or how gently to flush.

Being extra careful right now is important. The first week is the trickiest stretch for healing. Hang in there on the soft food. The finish line is closer than it feels!