How To Avoid Dry Socket After A Tooth Extraction – What To Know

Tooth extractions at Pineville Family Dentistry are fast, pain-free, and a great way to deal with troublesome teeth. But it’s important to follow Dr. Babb’s instructions to heal properly and avoid common post-extraction complications, such as dry socket. 

This painful condition interferes with healing and can delay your recovery significantly. So read on and learn more about dry socket, and get a few simple tips that will help you avoid this condition. 

What Is Dry Socket? Explaining The Basics

Dry socket is a condition that occurs when the blood clot that forms over your extraction site is dislodged. This blood clot does more than just prevent bleeding. It also acts as a “scaffold” for new tissue growth, so it’s essential for a speedy recovery after your treatment.

If this clot is dislodged or severely damaged, dry socket occurs. This condition causes a lot of pain and discomfort, and may require follow-up treatment from Dr. Troy Babb. During this follow-up, he will clean the extraction site and apply healing dressings to the extraction site to encourage proper healing.

And while dry socket can be treated to restore your oral health, it’s best to avoid it completely. Let’s take a look at a few steps that it’s recommended you take to reduce your risk of developing this post-extraction complication. 

5 Simple Steps To Avoid Dry Socket

The best way to avoid dry socket is to follow Dr. Babb’s instructions closely after your treatment. Among others, they will instruct you to take the following steps to avoid dry socket:

1. Avoid using straws for at least 48 hours – The suction of using a straw can pull the blood clot away from the extraction site and dislodge it. Avoid using a straw for at least 48 hours, and preferably 3-4 days.
   
   
2. Do not spit vigorously – Similarly to using a straw, forceful spitting can push your blood clot out of the socket, especially during the first 24-48 hours after your treatment. So when you rinse your mouth, don’t spit. Just let the liquid trickle out of your mouth naturally.
   
   
3. Eat liquid and soft foods – Eating soft and liquid foods for at least 3-4 days after extraction will prevent irritation and damage to the blood clot and extraction site. Avoid hard, crunchy, and tough foods. These can all cause damage.
   
   
4. Avoid smoking and any kind of tobacco use – Smoking is particularly bad, since the suction of smoking combines with decreased blood flow to raise the risk of dry socket. Smokers are 3 times more likely to develop dry socket. Do not smoke or use tobacco for at least 72 hours. This is a great time to consider quitting smoking!
   
   
5. Do not brush the extraction site directly – For about 3-4 days after extraction, you should use a prescription mouth rinse or saltwater rinse to clean your extraction site. You can brush your other teeth, but don’t brush the extraction site directly.
   

Need A Tooth Extraction In Pineville? Contact Dr. Babb Today!

At Pineville Family Dentistry, we serve patients throughout Kingsville, Legacy Point, Legacy Loop, Beausheen, Richfield, and the surrounding areas with expert dental care. If you think you may need a tooth extraction, our team is here to help. Contact us online or give us a call at (318) 704-5757 to schedule your consultation today.