In Marietta, GA, Atlanta Dentures takes every possible precaution to ensure your wisdom teeth extraction heals correctly. After we perform a tooth extraction, a protective blood clot is formed in the socket. It’s critical to be as careful as possible after your tooth extraction procedure to keep this socket intact. Not only can it be excruciating, but it can also slow your healing. We’ll tell you all you need to know about preventing dry socket after tooth extraction.
What Is A Dry Socket?
A blood clot develops over a tooth removal site to help protect and boost the healing of your underlying bone and nerve endings. The blood clot stays in place until your mouth and gums are completely healed. If the blood clot becomes dislodged, you suffer from a dry socket that hinders healing and is extremely painful.
What Causes A Dry Socket?
Many patients get teeth extracted for many reasons, including damaged or decayed teeth, impacted teeth, or a risk of infection. Typically, tooth extraction is a smooth process without many side effects. Though it is usually avoidable, some patients suffer from a dry socket after a wisdom tooth extraction when the blood clot protecting the underlying nerve endings and bone is knocked out of place.
Symptoms Of Dry Socket
Contact our office immediately if you experience any signs and symptoms of dry socket, including:
- Visible bone in the socket in place of a clot
- Severe pain at the tooth extraction site
- Bad breath
- Unpleasant taste
- Partial or total loss of the blood clot
- Radiating pain from your socket to ears, eyes, temples, or neck
How To Prevent Dry Socket
The best ways to prevent dry socket include:
- Avoid Straws –Don’t use a straw 24-48 hours after tooth extraction. The suction of sucking can dislodge the blood clot from the socket.
- Avoid Smoking – Don’t smoke or use oral tobacco for 24-48 hours after tooth extraction. They can interfere with the blood flow and healing of the tooth extraction site.
- Avoid The Extraction Site –Stay away from brushing the extraction site for a few days. You can also use a warm saline rinse or prescription mouth rinse around the area.
- Eat Soft Foods –It’s best to avoid hard and crunchy foods for two weeks. These types of foods can dislodge or damage the blood clot.
- Get Some Rest –Take this time to let your body heal. Don’t do anything too active that may dislodge the blood clot.
How Is Dry Socket Treated?
We understand dry socket is a very painful condition and patients need fast relief. You can treat the pain with any nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, including aspirin or ibuprofen. If these types of medications aren’t enough to relieve your pain, your doctor can prescribe stronger pain medication. We will clean the tooth extraction site, remove any debris from the hole, and fill the socket with a special paste or medicated dressing to boost healing. You can rinse with a special mouthwash or saltwater to promote healing at home.
Contact Atlanta Dentures Today
Atlanta Dentures has over 35 years of experience providing comprehensive dental services to patients in Marietta, GA, and the surrounding areas. Our dental team is passionate about offering optimal dental services with care. If you experience a painful dry socket, we’ll treat it as soon as possible. We offer sedation dentistry for anxious dental patients and emergency dental services for your convenience. If you’re experiencing dry socket or have any other dental needs, contact our office today to schedule an appointment.
