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!

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Financing

There is financing available for those who need it when it comes to dental implants. These companies (such as Care Credit and Prosper Healthcare) make it possible for you to get the care you need and then make monthly payments later. Financing is a great option for those who opt for dental implants because dental implants require minimal maintenance and last for many years, so you can minimize any future dental work and be able to steadily pay off the loan month to month. Your dental implants will look great and last a long time; financing is an option worth considering to afford this care.

In-Office Payment Plans

The office doing your dental care understands the need for flexibility, especially when it comes to specialty dental work. Talk with your dentist office about the possibility of an in-office payment plan. These payment plans will be set up based on what you are able to pay from month to month to cover your dental care. If implants are the best option for you but your insurance won’t cover the cost or will only cover part of the cost, in-office payment plans may be able to help you afford the cost. Talk with your dentist to discover how in-office payment plans can make your dental implants available and affordable for your smile.

Prevent Future Damage

One of the reasons that dental implants are a great investment for your oral health is because they help prevent any future damage to your teeth. If you were to opt for a dental bridge to replace your missing tooth or missing teeth, you would need to get to adjacent teeth sanded down to properly apply the bridge. With dental implants, the only teeth affected are the missing teeth. Dental implants will save you money in the long run because you won’t have the health risks and damage from not fixing the missing or damaged teeth or going with a cheaper option that might not be the best for your mouth.

If you need dental implants, don’t let the cost stop you from receiving the care that you need. Consider financing options, discuss in-office payments with your dentist, and consider the cost savings of dental implants for the future. Your oral health is important, so don’t skip on the care you need. Dental implants today are more affordable than ever!

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