Generally, a tooth extraction won’t be the most fun you’ve ever had. So you can rest assured that the Fresh32 Family Dentistry team won’t recommend it unless absolutely necessary. After all, the best teeth are the ones you’re born with, but when one of them turns on you, we don’t want it to endanger the rest. So the bad apple’s got to go.
So, if you’ve had a tooth extracted, its absence leaves a hole called your empty socket. This socket needs to begin healing right away, which we promote by ensuring your socket is sealed by a blood clot.
Your first job immediately afterward is recovery, and that means keeping your socket protected. Here’s what you need to know.
What Is Dry Socket and Its Symptoms?
Dr. Lalani performs extractions as gently as possible and will direct you on how to best start the healing process, especially over the first several days. But if your socket’s seal is broken, the clot may break up and expose this opening, creating a dry socket.
Here are the prominent dry socket symptoms:
- Severe pain centered on the socket but can extend to your whole face
- Visibly lost blood clot, exposing the bone in the socket
- Sour taste in your mouth
- Bad breath
If you experience any of these, call our Mesquite dental office immediately. We can treat your dry socket by cleaning it thoroughly and applying a medicated dressing to replace the original clot. We may also prescribe medications to help with the pain and healing.
The Best Dry Socket Treatment is Prevention
Like many things, the best way to treat a dry socket is to ensure it never happens. We want to share how to prevent dry sockets and start the healing process right. Here are some tooth extraction aftercare tips:
- Continue applying pressure after extraction for a sturdier clot
- No suction! Don’t drink through a straw or smoke
- Avoid spitting or rinsing your mouth
- Eat only soft foods for several days post-extraction
- Avoid alcohol consumption
- Minimize strenuous activity
We Help Dental Extractions in Mesquite Heal Safely
Losing teeth can be painful if your aftercare results in a condition like dry sockets. But our goal is to help you prevent them through just a handful of easy behavioral changes. To learn more, we invite you to contact our dental office today.