Discuss dry socket with a dental professional, and you will quickly learn how important it is for our patients to avoid it. Alveolar osteitis, or dry socket, is one of the most dreadful conditions that can affect you after tooth extraction. We want any dental procedure to be as painless and easy as possible. As such, the Parkcrest Dental Group team compiled a few tips you should know to help you avoid dry socket after a wisdom teeth removal procedure.
Related Post: Wisdom Teeth Removal: What Should I Expect?
What Is Dry Socket?
When a tooth is removed, a blood clot forms to protect the extraction site. If that clot does not form properly, is dislodged, or dissolves, you have a condition known as dry socket. When the blood clot isn’t there to protect the area, the bone and nerve tissue that was exposed during the tooth extraction become susceptible to infection. Once dry socket occurs, patients feel a consistent painful throb in the area.
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How to Avoid Dry Socket
Trust us when we say that you don’t want to experience dry socket. To help protect your smile, here are a few tips you should follow to avoid post-wisdom teeth removal complications.
- Avoid smoking or vaping– Patients who smoke are at a much higher risk of developing dry socket after a tooth extraction. Inhaling smoke can dislodge your blood clot — this includes cigarettes, e-cigarettes, or any other substance.
- Don’t use straws– Much like smoking, the suction that occurs when drinking through a straw can have the same effect of dislodging the blood clot. Avoid using straws for at least a week after your procedure.
- Eat soft foods– eating foods that require chewing or biting can also damage the blood clot in the extraction spot. Stick with foods like applesauce, yogurt, and broths.
- Maintain proper oral hygiene– Keeping your mouth clean is essential to avoid dry socket. Ask your dentist how to properly, and safely, brush your teeth following your surgery. The first few days, it may be best to gently rinse your mouth instead of brushing.
Schedule an Appointment with Parkcrest Dental Group
If you are looking for a reliable dental team ready to help you achieve the smile you have always wanted — schedule an appointment with Parkcrest Dental Group today. Our dentistsare dedicated to helping you develop a beautiful, healthy smile. Schedule an appointmentonline, or contact our team today at 417-887-1220.
