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Rockwall Oral Surgery

HOW TO AVOID DRY SOCKET AFTER WISDOM TOOTH REMOVAL

If you’ve had a wisdom tooth removed, you know how important it is to make sure it heals properly and as quickly as possible so you can go back to eating and drinking all your favorite things.

While this shouldn’t be too much of a challenge, there are a few things you should consider. Dry socket is one of the most common issues many people face after a wisdom tooth extraction.

What Is a Dry Socket?

There is always a blood clot in the empty socket after a wisdom tooth has been removed. This is a normal part of the healing process. When this blood clot fails to develop or becomes dislodged or disturbed, the healing process, in turn, gets disrupted and patients often experience a certain level of discomfort.

So, how exactly can you prevent dry socket after your wisdom tooth removal?

Preventing Dry Socket

The first step toward prevention has to do with what you eat.

It’s always better to eat soft foods after the extraction. Avoid foods that are tough to eat so the sharp edges don’t disturb the blood clot in the socket.

Avoid the urge to touch the extraction site, either with your fingers or your tongue. Doing this can easily disturb and dislodge the blood clot and allow for dry socket to set in.

While you should not neglect proper oral hygiene after your wisdom tooth removal, do avoid brushing over the extraction site directly. Brush and flush with caution to avoid disrupting the blood clot and the entire healing process.

What Should I Do if Dry Socket Happens?

You should always call us right away to report anything that feels out of the ordinary, especially if you think dry socket may be the culprit. Because the nerves in the extraction site are left exposed, there is often significant pain.

Aside from giving you important tips that can help you ease the condition, we will also schedule another appointment to help repair the site of the extraction so healing can begin again.

For more information on dry socket, wisdom tooth removal or your general oral health, schedule a visit or contact Dr. Pollock and the entire Pinnacle Oral Surgery Specialists team at (469)264-8921.