After wisdom teeth removal, some people experience pain, a condition called dry socket. The painful sensation can stay for longer and lead to complications. Therefore, it delays healing and makes you uncomfortable. However, the condition is treatable.

What is a Dry Socket?

Dry socket is the dislodging of the blood clot that helps to heal the nerve endings and bone after teeth removal. The blood clot develops where the tooth has been removed to fasten healing. However, it’s preventable, and you can avoid it to prevent complications.

Signs of Dry Socket

The soaring pain after wisdom teeth removal can affect your day’s routine. The signs of a dry socket include;

• Unpleasant taste in the mouth
• Severe throbbing pain after surgery
• Visible bone where the tooth was extracted
• Tenderness on the rest of the face

Risk Factors of Dry Socket

Some individuals are more at risk of developing dry socket after wisdom teeth removal than others. You’re likely to develop dry socket if you;

• Use birth control
• Had a lower wisdom or molar tooth extraction
• Have poor dental hygiene
• Experienced difficult tooth extraction
• Smoke
• Had a previous dry socket

How to Prevent Dry Socket

There are several ways to prevent dry socket;

Avoid Smoking and Tobacco

Cigarette chemicals can lead to slow healing or even cause infections after tooth removal. In addition, inhaling the smoke can dislodge the blood clot intended to heal your socket. Hence, for quick healing, you should avoid smoking for at least two weeks after wisdom teeth removal. You can keep yourself busy by doing the activities you like to avoid tobacco.

Eat Soft Foods

Dry foods such as peas, dried beans, rice, and dried fruits can get stuck in the socket and dislodge the blood clot. Hence, you should eat soft foods, such as soft muffins, mashed potatoes, yogurt, and cereals that soften in milk.

Avoid Straws

Sucking drinks using a straw can dislodge the blood clot. Thus, you should avoid using a straw for at least seven days after wisdom teeth extraction. Instead, you can use a spoon of straw until your sockets heal.

Avoid Spitting

Spitting requires you to use force when drawing saliva from the mouth. This force can dislodge the blood clot and slow your healing. That’s why dentists discourage you from spitting for at least a day after wisdom teeth removal.

Avoid Brushing the Socket

Irritation in the socket as you move your brush can pull out the blood clot. Hence, avoid brushing the socket after teeth removal for several days to allow healing. However, you should maintain proper oral hygiene by using prescribed antibacterial mouthwash to prevent infections.

How to Treat Dry Socket

Treating a dry socket helps to relieve pain. The dentist can recommend several ways to treat dry socket;

• Maintaining oral hygiene
• Pain medication
• Avoiding sugary drinks and foods
• Medicated dressings

Bottom Line

Dry sockets can be uncomfortable, but it’s treatable. Hence, you should avoid tobacco, spitting, hard foods, and overall bad dental hygiene habits after tooth extraction to prevent dry socket.