We had the same applesauce issue—my son just kept complaining it felt “slimy” and then it’d get stuck everywhere. He also hated anything cold, so all those tips about popsicles didn’t help us much. I got so worried about rinsing too much and messing up the blood clot, but not rinsing felt gross. Honestly, every tip I read seemed to contradict another. I wish dentists gave more real-life examples instead of just generic lists.
I totally get where you're coming from. I felt so lost after my extraction—one site said to rinse constantly, another said don’t touch it for days. The applesauce thing made me laugh because I tried that too, and it just felt weird and stuck in my mouth. Ended up living off mashed potatoes for a bit. Honestly, I wish dentists would just give more real-world tips instead of those vague handouts. It’s stressful when you’re already worried about healing right. You’re definitely not alone in feeling confused.
Rinsing instructions are so all over the place, right? My kid had a molar pulled last month and we got three different sets of directions depending on who we talked to. The nurse said “gentle saltwater after 24 hours,” but the written handout said not to rinse at all for a couple days. It’s hard enough getting a seven-year-old to follow any routine, let alone one that keeps changing. Has anyone actually gotten a straight answer about when it’s safe to let them brush near the site? I was so paranoid about dry socket, I probably overdid the caution...
Rinsing instructions are so all over the place, right? My kid had a molar pulled last month and we got three different sets of directions depending on who we talked to.
You’re not alone—my daughter had two baby teeth pulled last year and I swear every staff member at the office had their own “official” version of what she could do and when. The oral surgeon was all about “no rinsing for 24 hours, then gentle saltwater,” but the hygienist said “wait 48 hours, and don’t spit hard.” The printout contradicted both. It’s wild how much it varies.
Honestly, I ended up calling back twice because I was so worried about dry socket too. The dentist finally said brushing was okay after the first day as long as we avoided the actual hole—just kind of brushed the other teeth gently and skipped the extraction site for a bit. He said swishing or anything “forceful” was the big no-no, especially for the first couple days. But my kid’s seven, and the concept of “gentle” is... well, let’s just say it’s a work in progress.
I get wanting to be extra cautious, but I think a lot of the confusion comes from different providers playing it safe based on what they’ve seen go wrong. I probably erred on the side of caution too, and my daughter ended up with what felt like a mini science experiment in her mouth for a week. In hindsight, I wish I’d just trusted the dentist’s direct advice and not gotten so anxious about the handouts.
If it helps, my daughter was back to brushing normally (but carefully) around day three, and we just told her to “pretend the sore spot is lava.” Not super scientific, but it worked for her. No issues with healing. I totally get the stress though—if you’re ever unsure, I’d say calling the office for their “final word” is worth it, even if you feel like a pest. I’d rather be that parent than risk a setback.
I get wanting to be extra cautious, but I think a lot of the confusion comes from different providers playing it safe based on what they’ve seen go wrong.
That’s fair, but sometimes I wonder if too much caution actually makes things harder for parents. When my nephew had a tooth out, we got a mile-long list of “don’ts” and it honestly made it more stressful. I get being careful with dry socket, but a bit more consistency (or at least explaining the “why” behind each instruction) would go a long way. At some point, you just have to trust your judgment and not overthink every step, right?