After getting a tooth extracted there are careful steps a patient must follow in order to prevent dry socket, a painful complication that occurs when the blood clot from the extraction hasn’t formed completely or is dislodged.
A dry socket is extremely painful, and preventing them should be of significant priority at all costs. If you’ve recently had a tooth extracted or are going to have one removed soon, continue reading to learn a few tips on how to prevent dry socket after tooth extraction as well as some symptoms and remedies.
While getting a tooth extracted is painful and can drum up a lot of different feelings in itself, there are a few specific symptoms to look out for in case you develop a dry socket.
A dry socket is an excruciating condition. Having excruciating pain beyond just your tooth extraction is a tell-tale sign of a dry socket.
Unnaturally lousy breath or foul-smelling breath after a tooth extraction can be a common sign of a dry socket.
Visible, exposed bone in the socket where your tooth was extracted is a sign of a dry socket. Monitor the area after the procedure to ensure you are healing nicely.
While it may seem scary, there are a few tips on how to prevent dry socket after tooth extraction.
For a while after getting a tooth extracted, you should eat only soft foods such as puddings, apple sauce, and smoothies. Preventing any food from getting into the socket where your tooth was is critical to prevent dry socket after tooth extraction.
You should eat with a spoon or other utensil but avoid straws as the sucking motion can cause a dry socket as well.
While you may be hurting after tooth extraction, you should still keep up with your oral hygiene routine. Keeping your mouth clean after extraction is the perfect way to ensure you don’t end up with a dry socket.
Your dental hygiene routine may look slightly different from usual after extraction, so follow up with your dentist to find the proper way to brush and clean your mouth after the procedure.
Rinsing your mouth with salt water once or twice daily after extraction can help keep the site clean and free of bacteria. This can help keep any unwanted substances in the sockets where your tooth extraction took place.
It would help if you refrained from smoking entirely after tooth extraction as the motions from smoking, similar to using a straw, can dislodge your blood clot and cause a dry socket. Those who smoke are at a higher risk of developing dry socket, so stopping altogether is how to prevent dry socket after tooth extraction.
While everyone is different and there are general guidelines you can follow to help prevent dry socket, consulting with a professional is always a great option. Your dentist will be able to provide you with resources on how to brush your teeth appropriately after extraction and keep your extraction site looking clean and free of dry socket. Contact us today to set up a consultation at one of our Kool Smiles Kids Club partner dentists today.