Totally agree about Google—it's like a rabbit hole of worst-case scenarios. When my daughter had her tooth pulled, I remember reading something about dry socket and panicking every time she complained about soreness. But after talking to our dentist, turns out some discomfort and swelling is totally normal for a few days. Ice packs and soft foods helped a lot. Glad things are improving for your kid... patience really is key with dental stuff.
Did your dentist mention anything about implants and how long that recovery usually takes? I'm scheduled for an implant next month, and I'm getting mixed messages—some people say it's similar to a regular extraction, others say it's way longer. I know patience is key and all, but it'd be nice to have a realistic idea of what I'm in for. Also curious if there's anything specific I should prep beforehand, aside from stocking up on ice cream...
I totally get the confusion—there's so much mixed info out there, and everyone's experience seems to vary quite a bit. I've had both an extraction and an implant done (different teeth, different times), and honestly, the implant recovery was a bit longer for me. Not drastically worse or anything, just more drawn-out because there's healing involved around the implant site itself. With my extraction, I felt pretty normal after about a week or so, but with the implant, it took closer to two weeks before I felt completely comfortable chewing normally again.
The good news is that the discomfort wasn't constant or unbearable—mostly just soreness and tenderness that gradually improved each day. My dentist recommended sticking to soft foods for at least a week or two, so your ice cream idea is spot-on! I'd also suggest stocking up on soups, mashed potatoes, smoothies... basically anything you can eat without putting too much pressure on that side of your mouth.
One thing I wish I'd known beforehand was how helpful it is to have some extra pillows handy. Sleeping with your head slightly elevated really helps reduce swelling overnight. Also, make sure you have plenty of salt for warm saltwater rinses—they're simple but surprisingly effective at keeping things clean and comfortable.
Did your dentist mention if you'll need a bone graft or anything additional like that? Mine didn't require one, but I've heard from others that it can affect recovery time quite a bit.
