How You Can Prevent Dry Sockets

Every year, millions of Americans have teeth extracted. One of the most common reasons for an extraction is having wisdom teeth problems such as overcrowding or impaction. You might also need an extraction to address a traumatic dental injury or advanced decay.

Regardless of the reason for your oral surgery, extraction is typically a rapid and straightforward procedure to protect your oral health.

Here at Preva Dental, Prathima Rasamsetty, DDS, performs tooth extractions and other oral surgeries for patients of all ages in and around San Antonio, Texas. 

Our team provides expert care and aftercare instructions to help your gums heal properly and not succumb to the painful complication known as dry socket. 

If you need an extraction, let’s review the facts about dry socket and how to prevent it.

About dry socket

Your teeth are nestled in sockets, openings in your gums that allow the tooth roots to enter your jaw, creating a stable foundation. When we extract a tooth, the socket forms a blood clot that protects the underlying bone and nerves essential to the formation of new bone and gum tissue. 

The blood clot should gradually dissolve as your socket heals. However, if that blood clot fails to form or becomes dislodged, you develop dry socket. 

Dry socket is the most common complication after tooth extraction. It can cause intense pain that radiates through your jaw and face and lead to infection if food gets trapped in the wound.

Preventing dry socket

At Preva Dental, we provide expert treatment and advice to promote optimal healing after a tooth extraction. We might apply an antibacterial gel before your extraction or an antiseptic solution to the open socket.

After your surgery, we can prescribe antibiotics and pack your socket with a medicated dressing.

These measures set the stage for a quick recovery, but you also need to practice proper self-care in the days following surgery to prevent dry socket. We provide tailored aftercare instructions, but in general you should:

Take time off to rest

We recommend taking the day off after a tooth extraction. Your body is working hard to form the clot to protect your open socket and help it heal. We also recommend avoiding intense exercise and other vigorous activities for several days to reduce the risk of dislodging the clot.

Be gentle 

You can brush and floss after tooth extraction surgery, but be careful around the extraction site. We also recommend gently rinsing your mouth to avoid disturbing the extraction site.

After the first few days, you can rinse your mouth several times a day with an antibacterial mouthwash or warm salt water as advised. 

Control the pain

In most cases, an over-the-counter anti-inflammatory reduces swelling and discomfort while you heal and the clot forms. You can also use a cold compress on your cheek for the swelling. After the first day, change to a warm compress to ease discomfort and residual swelling. 

Eat ice cream

Just kidding. But you should only eat soft or liquid foods like yogurt, applesauce, or soup the day of your surgery, if not longer. It’s best if you also drink plenty of water after surgery, although you should avoid extremely hot or cold temperatures until the anesthesia has worn off. 

Don’t chew on the surgery side of your mouth until the extraction site is fully healed. We also recommend not using a straw — the suction is a common cause of clots becoming dislodged. 

Stay away from tobacco

If you smoke cigarettes, vape, or use any tobacco products, you must abstain from your habit for at least the first 48-72 hours following surgery, if not longer. In fact, this could be a good opportunity to kick the tobacco habit for good. 

Nicotine and other harmful substances in tobacco products delay healing and increase your risk of complications. Tobacco use is a leading cause of dry socket after a routine tooth extraction. 

Other dry socket risk factors

Following our aftercare advice is a significant step to avoiding dry socket. Unfortunately, it doesn’t eliminate your risk. 

For example, if you have a complicated extraction, such as removing a severely impacted wisdom tooth, your chances of developing dry socket or a bacterial infection increase. 

If you do develop dry socket, it most likely occurs within the first three days of your extraction. If you develop severe pain after your surgery, call our practice right away. Dry socket won’t heal on its own. You need expert treatment to relieve your pain and fix the problem. 

if you need a tooth extraction or another type of oral surgery, call our office or schedule a consultation online today.