Are you going in to get a tooth extraction and concerned about the possibility of getting dry socket? Although this common post-operative complication can wreak havoc on between two and five percent of tooth extraction patients, there are preventive steps you can take to make a speedy and healthy recovery. Read below to learn more about dry socket, how it occurs, and what you can do to protect your treated smile.
What is Dry Socket?
The clinical term for dry socket is alveolar osteitis, and it means the inflammation of the alveolar bone, which is the bone where the roots of each of your teeth are embedded. When a tooth is extracted, a blood clot forms which protects the nerves and tissues located beneath the gumline. If it becomes dislodged, whether that’s due to the suction caused by drinking from a straw or chewing hard foods before the surgical site has healed, dry socket can develop.
Signs of Dry Socket
Dry socket usually develops within the first two to three days following a tooth extraction. Some of the most common symptoms of this condition include:
- Discomfort at the extraction site that ranges from mild to severe.
- Pain that feels like it’s radiating to your neck and head.
- Bad breath, clinically referred to as halitosis.
- A bad taste in your mouth, which can be caused by food or plaque becoming trapped in the empty socket.
Protecting Your Smile Against Dry Socket
After your procedure, follow these helpful tips to prevent the development of dry socket:
- Don’t smoke until your mouth has healed. People who smoke during their recovery are three times more likely to develop dry socket.
- Don’t drink through a straw, because the force of the suction can dislodge the blood clot protecting your surgical site.
- When you’re cleaning your mouth, avoid vigorously swishing. Also, don’t spit the mouthrinse out afterwards—let it fall from your mouth instead.
- Maintain good dental hygiene after your treatment, being sure to brush and floss gently around your surgical site.
What Should You Do if You Have Dry Socket?
If you notice any of the signs of dry socket, the first thing you should do is contact your dentist’s office. You can take an over-the-counter pain reliever to help ease your discomfort, but your dentist will need to clean and fill the socket with medication to allow the extraction site to properly heal.
Even though dry socket may seem like a serious post-operative threat, it’s actually not as common as you may think! With the proper preventive measures in place and by maintaining good at-home oral hygiene, you can make a complication-free recovery from your procedure.
About the Author
Dr. Andrea Csok is an incredibly passionate dentist who understands the importance of always learning and keeping up with the times. She graduated from the Ohio State University College of Dentistry and is an active member of numerous professional organizations. She offers same-day appointments for her patients in pain and does her best to help her patients feel better as soon as possible. For questions or to schedule an appointment, visit Dental & Cosmetic Solutions’ website or call 216-292-3600.