Dry socket happens when the blood clot that normally forms over the areas of extraction is
somehow dislodged or never properly forms in the first place. When the blood clot is no longer
there, it leaves nerve tissue and even bone exposed after your procedure.

Dry socket will need to be treated by your dentist as soon as possible, but how can you know if
you have dry socket, and what can be done about it?

How Dry Socket Happens

Dry socket can happen for a variety of reasons. Food debris or bacteria may somehow cause
the clot to dislodge or improperly form. Any type of trauma to the area, whether it’s
accidentally hitting it with your toothbrush or chewing foods that are too hard, can also cause
this issue.

People who smoke or neglect to follow their dentist’s instructions for care after wisdom tooth
removal are more at risk to experience dry socket, as are those who are on oral contraception,
as higher levels of estrogen may interfere with clot formation.

Signs and Symptoms

Dry socket will cause some discomfort and is generally painful. Patients usually experience pain
on the corresponding side of their jaw where the affected extraction site is. This pain or
throbbing may spread throughout the face.

Patients may also experience a bad taste in their mouth or have bad breath that doesn’t go
away after brushing, which can be indicative of an infection. In addition, bone may be visible at
the extraction site.

Treatment for Dry Socket

If you have a dry socket, treatment at your dentist’s office will be required. Your dentist will
clean the area in order to help prevent an infection—or treat an existing infection if
necessary—and will provide a numbing cream or gel for the pain.

Your dentist will send you home with instructions for aftercare which may include rinsing with
saltwater. A follow-up appointment is necessary to ensure the extraction site is healing
properly after your initial visit.

How to Prevent Complications After Extraction

You can have a healthy healing process after your tooth extraction by following your dentist’s
instructions. The following tips can help prevent dry socket:

Don’t smoke or use tobacco. If you haven’t quit yet, talk to your dentist or doctor about
getting help. Chewing tobacco and e-cigarettes should be avoided as well!

Eat softer foods. Sticking to soft foods after the procedure can help prevent trauma to
the extraction site and accelerate the healing process.

Keep your mouth clean. It’s important to brush gently yet thoroughly and avoid the
extraction site.

Rest. Take it easy for one to two days after your procedure to give your body time to
heal.

Fortunately, dry socket won’t happen to the majority of patients that need a tooth extraction.
However, if you’re worried about getting a dry socket, talk to your dentist. He or she can
provide additional tips to help you avoid this complication after your procedure. By following
your dentist’s instructions, you’ll be back to normal in no time!

The post What is a Dry Socket? appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.

Infected Tooth or Gums

As tooth decay progresses, it can destroy the layers of our teeth to reach the inner tooth pulp that helps keep our tooth alive. Once the pulp becomes infected, it can be extremely painful. Although your dentist may be able to save your tooth with a root canal, the infection could warrant a tooth removal if it’s advanced.

You could also have advanced gum disease, which may be creating an infection in your gums and in turn, making your teeth hurt. Gum disease can attack the ligaments that keep our teeth connected to our jaw, therefore leading to loose teeth and toothaches. If you’re experiencing a foul taste in your mouth along with pain, get yourself to a dentist as soon as possible!

Bruxism

Bruxism, also known as teeth grinding, is extremely damaging to teeth. It puts a huge amount of pressure on your pearly whites and cause injury to the teeth, such as cracks or chips. Bruxism is also a common reason that teeth ache or hurt, especially during times of stress or upon first waking in the morning.

If you believe you’re experiencing tooth grinding, schedule an appointment with your dentist. Although this isn’t a dental emergency, the sooner you can get yourself to the dentist, the less damage your teeth will accrue.

Injury

If you’ve received an injury to your mouth or face that’s resulted in a knocked-out or broken tooth, this is a dental emergency and you need to get to a dentist or the emergency room as soon as possible. If you’ve had an injury that’s not resulted in a direct impact to your teeth but is still resulting in a toothache, schedule an appointment with your dentist as soon as you’re able. He or she can take x-rays to determine if there’s any damage to your jaw.

Decay

Tooth decay can get severe enough to cause an infection, but it doesn’t have to get to that point in order for it to cause pain. Even advanced cavities that have not yet reached the tooth pulp can still cause toothaches. The sooner you see a dentist, the better!

Dry Socket

If you’ve recently had a tooth extracted such as from wisdom tooth removal, you’re at risk to develop dry socket. This happens when the blood clot that has formed over the empty tooth socket to protect it and help it heal has been dislodged. Dry socket exposes your jaw bone to air, food, and bacteria. This can be extremely painful and should be seen by a dentist immediately. Fortunately, dry socket affects less than 10% of people who get a tooth removed.

Are you experiencing a toothache? Don’t let the pain go on for days or even weeks. Dentists are trained to quickly identify the problem and effectively treat your pain. Whether you have an injury, cavity, or infection, your dentist can help!

The post Is a Toothache Really That Serious? appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.

Luckily, dry socket after wisdom tooth removal is very rare and only happens in about 5% of people who have their wisdom teeth removed. Symptoms include facial pain near the extraction site, sensitivity to temperature, and increased pain about two or three days after the surgery. Dry socket needs to be treated by your oral surgeon or dentist, as it will lead to a longer and more painful healing experience. Here are some tips to effectively avoid dry socket and have your mouth heal up quickly after wisdom tooth removal!

Take It Easy

Vigorous exercise or strenuous activity can dislodge the blood clots protecting your extraction sites. It’s crucial that you rest following your wisdom tooth removal. Dry socket can happen to just one extraction site, or it can happen to all four, so you need to be careful. Experts recommend avoiding exercise or strenuous activity for at least one day following the procedure, but it’s important to listen to your body and rest for as long as you feel you need to.

Rinse Gently

It’s inevitable that you’ll need to rinse your mouth after the procedure from brushing and perhaps doing salt water rinses. When you do rinse, do it very gently. Swishing forcefully can cause the blood clots to abandon the site and you’ll be left with exposed bones. Gentle brushing and oral care is vital, and take care to rinse gently after brushing or with your salt water rinses.

Avoid Straws and Smoking

Sucking actions by the mouth can remove blood clots as well. For this reason, you’ll want to avoid straws and smoking. If you’re a daily smoker, do your best to avoid smoking for at least 24 hours following the procedure, and talk with your dentist about resources for quitting. Forceful spitting can also create a sucking action in the mouth and is best avoided.

Do Not Touch or Brush the Affected Area

There’s no reason to touch your extraction sites following the procedure. Your oral surgeon will have packed the area with gauze to help a blood clot form and protect your bone. It’s best to avoid contact with the area until your wounds are healed. Also, avoid brushing the area. Salt water rinses can help to remove bacteria, but follow your oral surgeon’s instructions for healing.

Eat the Right Foods

There are certain foods that are best avoided post wisdom tooth surgery. These involve foods that can leave small particles in your mouth, including popcorn or peanuts. You’ll also want to avoid sticky foods such as candy. Soft foods that are easy to eat such as soups, yogurt, and smoothies can be soothing as well as protect your extraction site.

You can effectively avoid dry socket after wisdom tooth removal by following these tips! Always contact your oral surgeon if your pain increases rather than subsides after a few days. By being gentle with your mouth, eating soft foods, and resting, your wisdom teeth extraction sites will heal up quickly and you can avoid dry socket!

Image courtesy of Artur84 at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

The post Tips to Avoid Dry Socket After Wisdom Tooth Removal appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.