How to Prevent a Dry Socket After Tooth Extraction

If you ever need a tooth extraction, knowing how to take care of your tooth socket after your procedure plays a significant role in the success of your recovery.

Our teams at SPA Dental Group have the expertise and experience to perform extractions and wisdom teeth removal at our practices in the Midtown East area of Manhattan, New York, and in Washington, DC. We also provide advice and guidance on how to take care of your extraction site after your procedure.

What happens after a tooth extraction

After we remove your tooth, a blood clot typically forms over your tooth socket to protect the nerve endings in your bone and help the area heal. However, if a blood clot doesn’t form properly, or if it dislodges, your bone and nerves become exposed, which can cause a great deal of pain.

Studies show that this issue happens in about 1-5% of tooth extractions and in about 38% of all wisdom tooth extractions.

Knowing how to prevent it can help you heal correctly.

How to prevent a dry socket

After your extraction, you don’t want to disturb your blood clot. To prevent a dry socket, avoid doing any of the following:

• Drinking from a straw
• Smoking
• Rinsing your mouth vigorously
• Drinking alcohol
• Participating in strenuous exercise

Certain medications can also cause the development of a dry socket, so depending on what you take, we might ask you to stop certain medications for a short time until your healing process begins. 

Your aftercare instructions

Taking care of your oral health after your extraction is key to a successful outcome. It involves:

• Chewing on the opposite side of your extraction site
• Eating soft foods like yogurt, applesauce, and mashed potatoes
• Not drinking carbonated or hot drinks
• Gently rinsing your mouth with a warm saltwater solution several times a day
• Applying an ice pack to your cheek if you have external swelling

You can brush and floss your teeth, but avoid the teeth that surround your extraction site for a day.

Symptoms of a dry socket

Normal side effects after your extraction include some swelling and soreness. Typically, over-the-counter medication can help manage these issues, and they should last no more than three days.

If you have a dry socket, you might experience intense pain after your surgery at the extraction site or pain that radiates from your socket into the rest of your face. You might also visibly notice that you have an empty socket and even see your bone. 

You should also pay attention to the smell of your breath. A foul odor might indicate you have a dry socket.

To learn more about how to prevent a dry socket after your tooth extraction, reach out to our dental professionals for answers. To make an appointment, call the office or book your appointment online today.