For most people, things are a lot less familiar and a lot more frightening in the dark. For those in the dark about tooth extraction, complications such as dry socket might sound like a horror story. But with an experienced dental staff behind you, you can minimize your chances of developing dry socket after an extraction and maximize your chances of a successful outcome, should you develop this issue despite the best efforts of your dentist’s office. Let’s shine a light on dry socket and take a look at how you minimize your chances of ever getting it.
So, What’s Dry Socket?
Dry socket occurs when a tooth extraction site fails to properly clot, resulting in the gums in that area drying out. The drying can extend to the jawbone beneath the gums, where the extracted tooth was once planted.
Here are some of the common symptoms of dry socket:
- There’s pain at the extraction site. This pain might spread as far as to one of your ears.
- There’s a lingering bad taste in your mouth. Because the drying gums aren’t healthy, they’ll create the foul taste and smell.
- You can see a bit of jawbone when you look at the extraction site, rather than seeing healthy gums.
What Can I Do to Avoid Dry Socket?
Though dry socket may still occur, even among the most diligent of patients, good oral hygiene is one of your best defenses against this condition.
Here are a few extra steps you’ll want to take to keep the extraction site clean so that it’ll heal quickly and won’t develop dry socket:
- Get plenty of rest after the procedure. You’ll need it to promote healing at the extraction site.
- Avoid rinsing for the first 24 hours after your procedure to avoid damaging the blood clot
- Avoid smoking, which can make it harder for the area to clot and heal
- Brush and floss as normal
- Rinse regularly, after the first 24 hours, to keep the extraction site free of food
Takeaway
Minimize your worries of developing dry socket after a tooth extraction. Click here to schedule a consultation with an experienced dental staff and learn more about your options for tooth extraction in Dana Point, CA.
