I was super anxious about the no-straw, no-spitting thing too. My oral surgeon explained it’s about not dislodging the blood clot, which is what protects the bone underneath—if that comes out, that’s when dry socket happens. It made sense once I pictured it like a scab you really don’t want to mess with. I stuck to the rules, but honestly, I was paranoid and probably overdid it.
Pain-wise, I did try one of those Orajel-type gels. For me, it was a bit of relief but only for like 10-15 minutes at a time. Not a miracle, but when I was desperate, it took the edge off enough to get some sleep. Ibuprofen helped more in the long run. I’ve heard some people say the numbing gels are just a distraction, but when you’re in that much pain, even a short break feels worth it.
If you’re worried, I totally get it. I spent way too much time googling horror stories, but following the aftercare stuff did seem to help me avoid the worst of it.
