Is your Wisdom tooth pulled out recently? Are you going through a dry socket? A dry socket is an inflammation within an empty tooth socket. This dental issue can occur after tooth extraction.

How does a Dry Socket develop?

Usually, after wisdom tooth removal, a blood clot forms over the tooth socket. The blood clot safeguards the nerve endings within the bone which is a part of the healing method.

In certain cases, the blood clot either fails to create or becomes dislodged. Accordingly, the bone and nerves in the socket get exposed to bacterial infection. A dry socket takes time to cure, and it can really be painful.

Symptoms

• blood clot missing from the socket
• too much pain in the gum or jaw
•  very bad breath
• bad taste coming from the socket
• intense ear-aches
• pain distributes throughout your face
• the bone may be exposed at the area of the extraction

How to Prevent Dry Socket?

       Dry socket prevention is not very difficult.  According to the American Dental Association (ADA), a patient should not do the following:

• Creating suction:

   Smoking and drinking applying straw can cause suction. This loosens your clot and delays in curing. Quit these things for at least a week.

• Smoking:

  Smoking delays healing and also increases blood pressure that results in more bleeding. Chemicals like nicotine minimize blood flow in the mouth and disturb clotting.

• Taking Hard Food and Carbonated Drinks:

  Eat soft foods for quite a few days. Drink a lot of water. Avoid hot food/drinks and consuming crunchy and spicy foods.

• Spitting:

  Try to avoid spitting for the first few days.

• Chewing from the same side:

  Chew on the side of your mouth opposite to the extracted site.

• Vigorous mouth rinsing:

   Do not rinse your mouth vigorously. It is important to do it firmly to avoid interrupting the blood clot.

• Alcohol:

  You should not intake alcoholic beverages or use mouthwash-containing alcohol. In this case, there is a chance of the clot becoming dislodged. 

• Physical activity:

   Give some time to rest. You should reduce strenuous activity for the initial 24 hours. This helps the blood clot develop.

• Poor Hygiene: Wait for at least 24 hours before you wash the extraction area. Allow the clot to develop. You can brush your other teeth and also the tongue. Gently rinse the mouth the next day with an antibacterial mouthwash.
• Don’t poke into the gap with your finger, tongue, tissue, toothpick, or other stuff. It delays your healing. 
• Visit your Dentist: Make sure to visit your dentist on a regular basis.

Get the care!

Are you in the search for a ‘Dentist near me in Lombard, IL? Then visit us at Sanders Family Dental. Your Dentist in Lombard will provide you the best treatment and suggest you with the after-care so that you don’t undergo a dry socket.