Six Tips to Avoid Dry Socket After Teeth Extraction

What is a dry socket?

A dry socket occurs when a blood clot fails to form properly around the gums after teeth removal. Dry sockets are the most common complication of teeth removal processes. These are more likely to occur after wisdom teeth removal. When the protective blood clot fails to form, your gums are left exposed to infections and long-term dental complications.

At Springvale Dental Clinic, we take all the precautions during and after dental operations to prevent dry sockets. Its occurrence is typically accompanied by mild pain and dull jaw aches. The exposed gums can also lead to nerve injury, making the pain spread to your entire face.

Keep in mind that dry sockets are more likely to occur during the first three days after a tooth removal operation.

What causes dry socket?

A dry socket can occur if your oral hygiene prevents the formation of a protective blood clot or getting it dislodged, leaving the socket exposed. Bacterial contamination from food and liquids can also cause dry sockets. Trauma to the exposed area, such as brushing your teeth, might also disrupt the healing process leading to a dry socket.

6 tips for preventing dry socket

A dry socket happens when the protective blood clot fails to develop or gets dislodged, leaving the gums, bone, and nerve tissues exposed. Read on to discover some of the ways you can prevent dry socket:

• Avoid tobacco products

A recent study found that 12 percent of tobacco users experienced dry socket complications after teeth removal compared to only 4 percent among non-smokers. This is attributed to the fast inhalation process involved in cigarette smoking which dislodges blood clots. Tobacco products contain chemicals that slow down the healing process creating room for bacterial infection.

Your dentist will go ahead and advise you on how to best avoid tobacco use in the weeks leading up to a planned teeth removal surgery. This includes providing resources and smoking cessation programs as well as smartphone apps that may help. Where tobacco cessation isn’t possible, patients can switch to a nicotine patch or ask the dentist to stitch off the surgery site.

• Avoid straws

When using a straw, the suction movement you apply to your cheek muscles can easily dislodge the protective blood clot. Avoid using straws or carrying out any activities that may require suctioning air after teeth removal procedures. While at it, you should avoid consuming soup with the regular sucking motion, which can dislodge the protective clot leading to a dry socket.

• Maintain proper oral hygiene

Maintaining proper oral hygiene after a dental operation is one of the most crucial ways of preventing dry sockets. Gently rinsing your mouth on the first day, followed by gentle brushing on the second day, is a sure way to avoid infection and germs from destroying the blood clot. If your dentist determines that you are susceptible to a dental infection, you might get an antibacterial mouthwash prescription for use over the next few days after the dental surgery.

• Stick to soft food

After a tooth removal procedure, you are encouraged to consume only soft foods such as mashed potatoes, green bananas, applesauce, and yogurt. For the next few days, you should avoid any foods that might dislodge the blood clot but also gradually move on to healthier foods. Avoid crunchy foods such as chips, seeds, nuts, and sticky foods that might get stuck to the exposed socket.

• Avoid chewing on the side of the extracted tooth.

After the tooth extraction, you should avoid using that side of the mouth for at least a week to avoid dislodging the protective blood clot that forms on the exposed socket. This will also reduce the chances of food particles getting stuck in the empty socket.

Inquire about possible medical interaction

Women on oral contraceptives are advised to seek their dentist’s advice on the procure due to possible links between dry socket formation and certain oral contraceptives. Diabetic patients also stand a higher risk of developing dry sockets, so ask for your doctor’s advice before undergoing teeth removal operations.

How to care for a teeth extraction site

With proper care and oral hygiene, you can take care of your teeth extraction site, allowing the blood clot to cover the exposed socket until your gums heal up. Follow your dentist’s instructions before and after the surgery to avoid dry sockets as well as the following tips:

• Drink plenty of fluids to clear away any food particles that might be stuck on the exposed socket.
• Brush your teeth gently and avoid directly brushing near the tooth removal site until the gums completely heal.
• Avoid sugary foods and beverages that might increase the amount of leftover sugar surrounding your teeth for bacterial growth to take place.
• Avoid strenuous activities until your socket heals up.
• In case of swelling, treat it by applying an ice pack to your cheek.

Signs of dry socket

The first sign of a possible dry socket is soreness and swelling surrounding the exposed socket. If the pain persists for more than three days after the surgery, you should seek medical attention. You can identify if you have a dry socket by using a mirror to check if you can see the exposed bone on the exposed socket. If that’s the case, you should see your dentist, who will diagnose your condition right away. Sometimes your dentist may suggest getting an X-ray to rule out bone infection or the possibility of roots being left behind after the extraction process.

Possible dry socket complications

When left untreated, dry sockets can lead to long-term complications such as delayed healing and bacterial infection that can spread to the bone and in the socket.

How to treat dry socket

Your dentist will clean the socket and remove any food particles that might be stuck on the socket before packing it with gauze. A medicated gel is also applied to the exposed area to numb the pain from the cleaning process. Your dentist may also prescribe over-the-counter pain medication, and you will require a follow-up visit to keep track of the recovery process.

Conclusion

Springvale Dental Clinic offers dry socket treatment to residents and promises quick relief from the condition. If you are experiencing swelling or pain after teeth removal, you should visit your dentist to have the enter area cleaned and checked for underlying conditions.  Avoid the possibility of developing complications and speed up the recovery process by avoiding any activities that can dislodge the blood clot on the exposed socket.