Chino, CA Dentist Helps Prevent Dry Socket
A dry socket has been regarded as one of the unpleasant effects that could happen after oral surgeries. Thankfully, they are also preventable if you follow the instructions that were given to you by the oral surgeon.
What is Dry Socket?
Dry sockets occur when the clot that is supposed to form over the extracted tooth is removed. Once you have oral surgery, this clot will form to protect the nerve and bone from danger. If this clot doesn’t stay in place, the area is susceptible to bacteria, food, air and more. This isn’t just painful but also slows down the process of healing.
Preventing Dry Socket
Once you have surgery, the dentist will give you some instructions to follow. Taking these steps minimizes your chance of ending up with a dry socket. Here’s what you’ll want to do.
Avoid straws – When you suck from a straw, the clot easily becomes dislodged. This leads to a dry socket. Don’t use straws for a couple of weeks following the surgery or longer if recommended by the surgeon.
Don’t smoke – Just like straws, the suctioning causes the blood clot to come loose. This also introduces bacteria into the site.
Don’t eat hard foods – Stick to soft foods so your surgery site isn’t irritated. Good choices include pudding, Jell-O and mashed potatoes. Don’t eat foods that could come apart like nuts or popcorn. They could easily get caught in the area where the blood clot is supposed to be.
Practice Good Oral Hygiene – Keep up with your oral hygiene efforts. This includes brushing your teeth twice daily, but be sure you are gently brushing the surgery area. You should also use the medicated mouthwash that was given to you after surgery. When you are done eating, rinse your mouth out with some salt water. Just don’t swish anything in the mouth too hard or you could dislodge the blood clot.
If you are experiencing unusual pain after having oral surgery, it is important that you speak with your dentist right away. Treatment for dry sockets doesn’t take long and it will put you back on the path to healing.
