Stitches

I had my stitches removed after a wisdom tooth removal, why did my dentist put a nasty tasting strip of gauze?

The strip of gauze was placed in the socket where they removed the wisdom tooth and told me to take it out after 2 days. I forgot to ask what it is for because I was busy throwing up bec of the nasty taste of the gauze.

Public Comments

1. The nasty guaze was to prevent you developing a dry socket in case the clot in the bone was dislodged by removal of the stitches. It's also a hedge against infection due to the same thing. Sorry the taste is nasty, but the alternatives are worse.
2. call and ask
3. The gauze was most likely a medicinal sedative, usually oil of clove if it smelled like gingerbread, that will help with the healing of the socket. Like the other post says, dry socket is a painful condition in which you lose the blood clot and your nerve endings are exposed to air. Its not fun to have and this dressing is to prevent it, so its better to leave it in. I would suggest calling the dental office just to make sure though.
4. I too got something like this done... but he didnt put anything after removing the stitches... maybe you will get answers from some people here...:(