If you just had a tooth extraction performed, you can usually expect the recovery process to go relatively smoothly. However, in some cases, you might experience dry socket, which occurs when the blood clot protecting the extraction site becomes dislodged. Not only is this condition painful, but it can also slow down healing. Fortunately, it’s possible to avoid this issue simply by taking the right precautions. Below are 4 useful tips that can go a long way toward keeping your risk for dry socket to a minimum.
1. Stay Away from Straws
Drinking through a straw creates a strong suction force in your mouth that could easily dislodge your blood clot. Thus, it’s best to stop using straws altogether until your mouth has sufficiently healed. To be as safe as possible, you should plan on avoiding straws for around 7 to 10 days after having your tooth removed.
2. Maintain a Diet of Soft Foods
When you’re recovering from a tooth extraction, you need to be mindful of the foods you’re eating. Trying to bite down particularly hard, crunchy, or chewy items could result in dry socket if you’re not careful. To protect your blood clot, you should maintain a diet of soft foods such as applesauce, yogurt, and mashed potatoes. You will typically be able to return to your regular diet after about a week.
3. Avoid Smoking
Smoking after a tooth extraction can lead to all sorts of problems. Not only can fast inhalation lead to dry socket, but the chemicals in cigarettes can significantly increase your risk of developing an infection. It’s therefore in your best interest to refrain from smoking for at least a couple of weeks following your procedure. If you’re having trouble giving up smoking for any amount of time, you can consult with your regular physician to see what resources they can offer.
4. Practice Good Oral Hygiene
If harmful bacteria are allowed to build up in your mouth, they could attack your blood clot and cause it to break down. To prevent this from happening, you need to maintain excellent oral hygiene after your tooth extraction. After the first 24 hours, you can brush your teeth like you normally would, but you will need to be very gentle while cleaning the area around the extraction site. You can also rinse with an antibacterial mouthwash in order to keep your mouth as clean as possible.
Dry socket can be a very painful condition, but fortunately, it’s also an avoidable one. By following the steps listed above, you can avoid dry socket and make sure that your recovery stays on track.
About the Practice
At Advanced Dental Associates of Tampa Palms, our dentists strive to meet all of our patients’ oral health needs. We’ve been providing high-quality dental care to the local community since 1999, and we pride ourselves on being able to offer a wide menu of dental services. If you have a badly damaged tooth that’s beyond saving, we can protect the overall health of your smile with a gentle tooth extraction. If you think you need to have a tooth removed, you can schedule an appointment at our practice in Tampa by visiting our website or calling (813) 972-9077.