Getting a tooth pulled is something you probably don’t look forward to. Even if you followed the dentist’s instructions to care for the wound, you might suddenly experience severe pain at the extraction site. This agonizing sensation could indicate a condition called dry socket. Dry socket happens when the clot covering the hole after tooth removal doesn’t form properly or gets dislodged.
While dentists offer advice on avoiding the pain, some patients still suffer from it.
Read on to understand why dry socket occurs, how to prevent it, and what steps to take if you do experience it.
What Happens When a Blood Clot Forms?
Maybe your dentist recently told you that you need teeth extracted. The procedure’s pain alone is enough to cause dread, but an even more frightening and equally painful event can occur afterward. At least during the extraction, the dentists can numb the area. Even better, you may feel nothing if you choose sedation dentistry. However, you’re on your own when healing at home.
What happens once the healing process starts after a tooth extraction? Typically, you’ll begin at home with gauze and additional painkillers if needed. The dentist may also recommend using a saline solution to aid healing. If all goes well, a blood clot will develop over the exposed bone at the extraction site, kickstarting the healing process that takes a few days.
If the clotting doesn’t occur, or the clot somehow moves after it forms, you can suffer severe pain, especially when air enters the socket.
Why Does Dry Socket Occur?
A dry socket is uncommon if you follow aftercare properly. It afflicts only 2 to 5 percent of extractions. However, if your clotting is impaired or you accidentally dislodge the clot, particularly with gauze, you risk developing a dry socket.
You’ll realize you have it because the extraction pain persists beyond a day or two. Instead, you’ll experience worsening pain at the site, potentially extending to your neck and head. Bad breath and an unpleasant taste may also manifest temporarily.
At times, the pain may necessitate returning to your dentist for immediate relief. In other cases, home treatment suffices. Unfortunately, symptoms can linger up to ten days during healing.
How to Prevent Dry Socket
Prevention is crucial to avoiding dry sockets. Following your dentist’s aftercare instructions is paramount. Your dental professional typically provides paperwork to guide wound care and dry socket prevention. Some recommendations include:
● Avoid using straws for fluid intake.
● Eat soft foods and avoid anything crunchy or chewy.
● Avoid carbonated drinks.
● Eat foods and beverages at room temperature, avoiding extremes that can irritate.
● Do not smoke.
Following these instructions and any other instructions your dentist provides will help you get on the road to recovery much sooner. If you follow your dentist’s instructions, you should no longer be at risk for a dry socket three days after extraction.
How to Treat Severe Pain
Not everyone will be lucky enough to avoid the pain of a dry socket. Even if you follow the instructions provided by your dental professional, dry sockets can still develop. Here are a few tips on what to do if you get a dry socket.
• Visit Your Dentist
One thing you may have to do if you develop a dry socket is go back to the dentist. Bone fragments may still be present, causing a dry socket. If small food particles are trapped in the area, the dentist may also flush it out. The dental professional will have to remove any remaining fragments of bone or food particles to promote healing.
• Take Pain Medication
If the pain is unbearable and keeps you up at night, your dentist may recommend over-the-counter drugs to use while you heal.
• Use Ice Packs
After getting a tooth pulled, taking pain medicines is helpful. But you may also need to use ice packs to reduce pain.
• Warm Salt Water is Important
Besides meds, your dentist likely told you to rinse with warm salt water. Keep doing that.
• Stick to Soft Foods a Bit Longer
While recovering, eat soft foods for a few extra days just to be safe. Since dry sockets can last up to 10 days, you’ll want to avoid crunchy or hard foods that long.
Reach Out to Your Dentist
If you recently had a tooth extracted and think you have a dry socket, call your dentist right away. A dental professional will examine you to check for a dry socket and take steps to help you heal quickly.
Call our Walled Lake Dental Office for comprehensive dental care that ensures your oral health and brightens your smile. With Dr. Hechtman’s extensive experience, we can tackle a wide range of dental issues, from restoring to enhancing your smile. Whether you require a filling, extraction, or replacement, our dental solutions are designed for you. Schedule a Free dental consultation today for a healthier, more beautiful smile!