A dry socket occurs after tooth extraction, when the empty alveolus of the tooth loses its protective crust and the nerves become unprotected. The conditions can be extremely painful and lead to frequent visits to the dental surgeon. Find out what measures you can take before and after tooth extraction to avoid this problem.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Take Preventive Measures Before Tooth Extraction
Step 1. Find a dentist you trust
Whether or not a dry socket occurs or not depends on how well the tooth was removed. Learn the procedure and talk to your dentist about what to expect. Make sure you have all the information you need to make sure everything is going well. You can count on the following preventative treatments from your dentist:
- Your dentist will advise you on mouthwashes and gels formulated to thoroughly treat the alveoli of the tooth.
- The dentist will also treat your wound with an antiseptic and bandage with gauze when the surgery is complete.
Step 2. Find out if your medication regimen overlaps with tooth extraction
Some prescription and over-the-counter medications can interfere with blood clotting, which can adversely affect the formation of crust over your empty alveoli.
- Oral contraceptives increase the likelihood of a dry socket in women.
- If you are a woman on oral contraceptives, you can postpone surgery until days 23-28 of your cycle when estrogen levels are low.
Step 3. Stop smoking a few days before tooth extraction
Smoking, like chewing tobacco or using other tobacco products, can interfere with the socket's healing process. Try to use a nicotine patch or other substitute for a few days, as puffing on a cigarette increases the chances of a dry socket developing.
Method 2 of 3: Take Preventive Measures After Tooth Extraction
Step 1. Rinse your mouth
Since you may have stitches or open wounds in your mouth, special care is required for the first few days. Do not brush or floss your teeth, use mouthwash, or rinse your mouth at all for 24 hours. Then follow the instructions below:
- Rinse your mouth with salt water every two hours and after meals.
- Brush your teeth gently, be careful not to touch the wound.
- Floss gently without touching the wound area.
Step 2. Get plenty of rest
Let your body focus on wound healing and not on something else. Your mouth can be swollen and sore in the first days after surgery, so take a few days off and allow yourself some rest.
- Don't talk a lot. Keep your mouth calm as the crust forms and the swelling subsides.
- Don't make unnecessary movements. Lie or sit on the couch for the first 24 hours, then take a short walk over the next few days.
Step 3. Do not drink any drinks other than water
Drink plenty of cold water after surgery, but avoid drinks that can interfere with the healing process. The prohibited list includes the following drinks:
- Coffee, soda, and other caffeinated drinks.
- Wine, beer, liquor and other beverages containing alcohol.
- Soda, diet soda, and other carbonated drinks.
- Hot tea, boiling water and other hot and warm drinks. They can damage the crust that protects the alveoli.
- Do not use the straw to drink liquids. Sucking motions irritate the wound and may prevent a crust from forming.
Step 4. Eat soft foods
Chewing on solid food is a sure way to damage the crust that protects the sensory nerves. Eat mashed potatoes, soup, applesauce, yogurt, and other non-solid foods over the next couple of days. Gradually switch to semi-solid foods when you can eat them without feeling pain. Cut out the following foods from your diet until your mouth is completely healed:
- Chewy food such as steak or chicken.
- Puffy foods such as toffee or caramel.
- Crunchy foods such as apples and chips.
- Spicy foods that can irritate and interfere with healing.
Step 5. Don't smoke for as long as possible
Do not smoke for the first 24 hours after surgery. If you can stop smoking for the next few days, your mouth will heal faster. Do not chew tobacco for at least a week after surgery.
Method 3 of 3: Get Help If You Think You Have a Dry Socket
Step 1. Know when you have a dry hole
Pain is not necessarily a sign of a dry socket. However, if you experience increasing pain for the next two days after surgery, in addition to the other symptoms of a dry socket, the alveoli are probably dry. Take a look at the following symptoms:
- Jawbone. Look at your postoperative wound. If instead of crust you see jawbone, you have a dry socket.
- Bad breath. Bad breath from the mouth can be a sign of improper wound healing.
Step 2. Return to the dentist immediately
The dry hole must be cured by your dentist. The dentist will put ointment and gauze over the wound to allow cell repair in the area. You can ask for a prescription for pain relievers to combat increasing pain that may radiate from mouth to ear.
- Follow your dentist's instructions for dry socket care carefully. Do not smoke, do not eat food that requires long chewing, or the situation will worsen.
- You can ask for a daily dressing.
- As a result, new skin will grow over the alveolus, covering the bone and protecting the nerves. It will take a month or more for complete healing.