After extraction - odd

[harry_the_man]

Hi.
I had a tooth extracted 2 days ago (lower jaw, next to canine towards molars).
It was unpleasant for the first day but i was expecting to get better; intead, i work up with a painful tongue, slight fever (very slight) and the hole is raw and painful, but not that painful, just a little sore. My main concern is the off white tissue growing in the hole.

The teeth surrounding the extraction are also quite painful but I was expecting that.

Can someone advise me on the off-white tissue growing? It's a real pain for me to go to the dentist, and I don't want to unless this is a real problem and not just me being paranoid.

Thanx in advance.

p.s. I smoke.

[jpreiser]

The dentist should have told you to stop smoking... my sister smokes and when she had her tooth pulled that was the first thing they told her... I think the white is ok, unless it turns yellow or green then thats a sign of infection.

[JenniferE]

You need to stop or at least slow down on smoking for a few days. You are irritating the tissue as well as drying out the tissue, which will cause the extraction site to take longer to heal as well as other problems can develop.

Check to make sure you have not developed a dry socket. When you look at the extraction site, does it appear to look "dried out" and does it look like you can see bone? If this is the case, you need to go see your dentist immediately. The dentist will pack the hole with a medicated dressing which will ease the pain and allow for proper healing of the extraction site. Dry sockets can be very painful, especially if left untreated.