We understand that wisdom tooth extraction is intimidating, but in many situations, they are inevitable. Wisdom teeth set is the last one to come in, and their late entry causes many disruptions, so their extraction is considered the best option. After extraction, post-surgery care is complex yet crucial. One of the complications is a dry socket, let’s discuss what it is how you can detect and prevent it in your mouth?
What Is A Dry Socket?
A dry socket formation is a common complication that an individual goes through after wisdom teeth removal. You must be wondering, “What does a dry socket look like?” well, a socket is an area on the jaw where the tooth used to be, and mostly, after the extraction process, a blood clot forms in that area and hardens into a scab.
This scab is a protective barrier of the socket; it has multiple blood vessels and nerve endings. If because for any reason, the clot does not form or gets displaced before complete healing, that condition is termed a dry socket, lets go further and see how you can prevent it.
How to Prevent a Dry Socket While Smoking?
- Firstly, avoid smoking. The suction action will dislodge the blood scab, thereby increasing the healing time.
- Do not drink with a straw.
- Always rinse your mouth gently with a saltwater solution.
- Do not consume crunchy hard food; try eating from the other side. It is better to swap the diet to soft foods for the time being.
- Apt oral cleaning regime.
Causes
There is no definite reason for a dry socket emergence; however, after wisdom or any teeth extraction, careless post-op care causes this issue. Mostly because of strenuous sucking action while smoking or drinking with a straw may dislodge the scab from its place, thereby exposing the site. Moreover, poor oral hygiene and consumption of birth control pills can also trigger the formation of a dry socket.
Symptoms
Symptoms of a dry socket are easily detected. Usually, the presence of a boney structure at the extraction site clearly shows that it has formed.
Pain is the inevitable complication of this issue. Mostly, it goes down gradually after tooth extraction. However, if you notice an increase after the procedure, you will know that it’s the dry socket causing terrible pain radiating from the mouth to the neck on the same extraction site.
How to Treat a Dry Socket?
Do not worry if the dry socket has already emerged. Here are a few tips for your help.
- Pain caused because of a dry socket is worse than regular ones; that is why ask your dentist for a stronger painkiller other than the ones available OTC.
- Flushing your dry socket is crucial for food particle removal or other debris to avoid chances of infection.
- If you want fast pain relief, gels or pastes instead of drugs work best for prompt relief.
Now you have enough knowledge to deal with a dry socket formation and prevention of that from happening. Still, our advice is to take a dentist’s opinion immediately. You never know when the situation might take a different turn and get more serious. If you are looking for options and affordable dentist in Baytown, contact Dynamic Dental Solutions for a quick checkup; call now for an appointment at 281 837 9090