You’ve probably heard of the term dry socket, but never quite understood what it meant. This ailment is often associated with tooth extractions. When an extraction site isn’t properly taken care of after the procedure is complete, the chances of getting a dry socket are high. Here’s what you need to know about dry sockets and how to prevent them!

What Is a Dry Socket?

After a tooth is removed, a blood clot forms over the empty space in the gumline. This blood clot is the body’s natural protection and will stay in place until the mouth is almost fully healed. If the clot is dislodged, it can cause complications, infection, and slow down the recovery process.

Tips to Preventing Dry Socket

Luckily, there are many things you can do to help prevent dry socket from occurring after an extraction. Here are some things to keep in mind: 

• Avoid Tobacco Usage: The suction from smoking can dislodge the blood clot
• Stay Away From Straws: Straws are a huge culprit of dry socket
• Stick to Soft Foods: Tough foods can harm the healing extraction site
• Gently Clean the Extraction Site: Rough brushing can damage the blood clot over the healing area

What Happens If I Get a Dry Socket?

If you get a dry socket, reach out to your dentist right away. They will need to thoroughly clean the tooth’s socket and remove any debris that may be trapped in the extraction site after the blood clot was dislodged. Your dentist will probably prescribe an anti-inflammatory to help with irritation and swelling from dry socket as well as antibiotics to help prevent infection now that the blood clot is no longer covering the site. 

Schedule Your Extraction Consultation

Do you have a wisdom tooth or another problematic tooth that you know needs to be extracted? Don’t put it off any longer! At Atlantic Dental Partners, we offer high-tech, gentle extraction procedures to help patients retain their oral health. Please contact our office to schedule your consultation! We have offices in Jamaica Plain and Malden.

Image by Authority Dental under CC 2.0