Have you recently learned you need a tooth extraction? Check out this short blog post to discover 5 easy tips that can help you avoid dry sockets!
First, What Is a Dry Socket?
A dry socket is a tooth extraction complication that can occur when the blood clot forming after a tooth is pulled is dislodged.
After your tooth is extracted, all the nerve endings and sensitive tissues are exposed. Your body has a natural way of protecting this vulnerable area through the blood clot, which will remain in place until the gums heal over the extraction site.
Your dentist will ask you to bite down on a gauze to encourage blood clot formation. If the clot is dislodged, you can experience high levels of pain, and your healing will be delayed.
5 Tips to Prevent Dry Sockets
Your gums will need around 2 weeks to close over the extraction site, maybe more depending on how fast your body heals. Luckily, most patients return to normal in around 3–4 days, so you won’t be dealing with a lot of uncomfortable symptoms throughout healing.
Still, it’s important to take a few extra precautions to keep the clot from dislodging. Here are five tips that can help:
- Don’t brush over the clot
It’s important to continue to brush and floss your teeth while recovering from tooth extraction, but you should not brush directly over the extraction site.
Instead, you can gently cleanse with saline water or gentle mouthwash if you want to be more thorough.
- Don’t spit or drink through a straw
Spitting and drinking through a straw both create suction, which can increase your risk of dislodging the blood clot.
Even when rinsing the mouth, don’t spit the mouthwash on the skin. Instead, lean over it and open your mouth to let the liquid out.
- Don’t smoke
Smoking also creates suction, but it’s been noted that tobacco products delay healing and increase your blood pressure, which in turn may lead to bleeding.
You should avoid smoking throughout your healing phase.
- Skip the gym
Physical activity increases your blood pressure, which puts you at risk for bleeding and dry sockets. Take a rest for a few days, and when you’re ready, slowly ease back into it to see how your body reacts.
- Avoid crumbly foods
You should chew on the other side of the mouth until the extraction site closes and opt for softer foods in the first few days.
But it’s best to avoid crumbly foods like crackers and chips since they could accidentally disrupt the blood clot.
Need an Extraction?
If you have a badly damaged tooth or a wisdom tooth causing trouble, our Grants Pass dentist may help with a professional tooth extraction.
Schedule a visit to A Street Dental online or call us at (541) 476-9792 for more information.
