Will you soon undergo a tooth extraction? You might have heard about a condition called dry socket, a painful complication that sometimes occurs after a tooth is removed. While it can sound scary, you might wonder if you really have reason to be worried about dry socket. This blog post explains how this problem can occur and how you can reduce your risk.
What Is Dry Socket?
After a tooth extraction, your body should form a blood clot at the extraction site to protect the exposed jawbone and help your body heal. If this blood clot gets prematurely knocked out of place, or it fails to form in the first place, you have what is known as a dry socket.
Dry socket can be quite painful. Fortunately, it is relatively rare. In fact, according to one estimate, it occurs in only 1 – 3% of all extraction cases.
What Causes Dry Socket?
Some risk factors for dry socket include:
- Cigarette use (or any type of smoking)
- Alcohol consumption
- The use of drinking straws
- Gum tissue that is swollen or infected prior to a tooth extraction
- Vigorous tooth brushing or other missteps in oral hygiene
Tips for Preventing Dry Socket
The key to preventing dry socket is following posttreatment instructions from your dental team as closely as possible. They are likely to recommend that you:
- Avoid cigarettes, alcohol, and drinking straws for at least the first few days after your extraction.
- Exercise extreme caution when you are brushing and flossing your teeth. In fact, you probably should not start brushing until about 24 hours after your appointment. When you do start brushing, be very gentle.
- Avoid vigorous physical activity for at least a few days.
- Do not consume crunchy or hard foods.
The risk of developing dry socket usually disappears 7 – 10 days after an extraction. However, people tend to heal at different rates, so it is important that you listen to your body and continue to exercise caution for as long as necessary.
What if You Develop Dry Socket?
If, despite your best efforts, you end up developing a dry socket, call your dental team right away. They may place a special dressing on the extraction site that will reduce your pain and protect the exposed tooth socket. They can also give you guidance to minimize your discomfort. For example, they might advise you to apply a cold compress or use black tea bags to minimize inflammation and swelling. In most cases, dry socket heals within 7 – 10 days.
Don’t let the possibility of dry socket hold you back from undergoing necessary extractions. In all likelihood, your recovery will be smooth and problem-free.
Meet the Practice
Indy Dental Group provides comprehensive oral care services to patients throughout greater Indianapolis. If you believe you need a tooth extraction, or you have questions about dry socket, we are ready to serve you. Use our online form to contact us, or call one of our locations.