If you’ve been scheduled to have your tooth extracted, you may have heard cautionary tales about a painful condition known as dry socket. Dry socket occurs when the clot that has formed in your extraction site falls out prematurely, causing pain and leaving the space vulnerable to infection. Though this condition is bad news all around, the good news is that it can be prevented. Here’s how!
What is Dry Socket?
When your dentist removes your tooth, there is an empty space left behind in your arch where it once sat. This is known as a socket. Healing from extraction requires it to close back up in order to keep the gum tissue and bone safe. Once it has closed, your dentist can then replace your tooth with a dental implant, denture, or bridge if necessary.
Immediately following your extraction, your socket will likely bleed off and on for a few hours before forming a clot. The clot keeps the opening safe from debris and bacteria entering it and allows it to heal. Unfortunately, however, sometimes it can become loose or completely dislodged, leaving the socket vulnerable to infection and injury. Even if it doesn’t become infected, losing a clot prematurely can still be incredibly painful. This condition is known as dry socket.
How Can I Prevent Dry Socket?
Here are a few suggestions to help prevent your blood clot from falling out prematurely:
- Don’t drink from a for the first 24-48 hours after an extraction, as this can put excess pressure on your mouth and cause your blood clot to come out.
- Stop using tobacco products or smoking, as these can thin your blood, slowing the healing process.
- Don’t touch or clean the extraction site for at least 24 hours. You can still brush your teeth and floss but avoid touching the socket. After the first 24 hours, you can keep the area clean by gently swishing warm saltwater.
- Do not touch the extraction site with your fingers, tongue, or toothbrush, and never try to remove or pull out any sutures at the site.
- Watch what you eat. Be sure to avoid anything crunchy, sticky, or chewy for two or three days after your extraction, and chew on the opposite side of your mouth if possible.
Should you still lose your blood clot prematurely despite these measures, or if the pain gets worse instead of better, call your dentist as soon as possible. Dry socket should be treated urgently to avoid the risk of infection and eliminate any excess pain it may be causing.
Remember, caring for your extraction site in the days and weeks following treatment is essential to healing. To prevent dangerous and painful conditions like dry socket, follow these tips and your aftercare instructions, and you’ll soon have a healthy, beautiful smile once again!
About Our Practice
At Amaze Dental, you’re more than a set of teeth, you’re an individual whose oral health and wellbeing truly matters. Dr. Najjar and Dr. Le are dedicated to only recommending treatments that will benefit your smile, and nothing that won’t. If you need a tooth extracted, you can rest assured that we will treat you with kindness, compassion, and care, and that includes helping you protect your smile following treatment. To schedule a tooth extraction and restore your pain-free smile, please visit our website or call us today at 972-230-1100.