Remember to Take out Your Dentures Every Night

Will you be having a tooth extracted soon, and are worried about having a dry socket afterward? If so, you'll want to know the following things about dry socket so that you can be prepared to prevent it from happening.

What Is Dry Socket?

Dry socket can happen when a blood clot doesn't occur in your tooth extraction site, or that blood clot becomes dislodged during the healing process. If a blood clot stays in place, it helps protect the underlying nerve endings and bones, while also helping provide a foundation for new soft tissue to grow. 

Why Does Dry Socket Happen?

Dry socket can happen because the socket is infected with bacteria, which is preventing the healing process from happening. This is often why your dentist will prescribe you an antibiotic to take after a tooth extraction so that you do not end up with an infection. However, you may experience some sort of trauma that causes the blood clot to become dislodged. 

What Are The Signs Of Dry Socket?

Many people will know they have dry socket due to experiencing extreme pain after a tooth extraction. The pain should always get better and not get worse, so increased pain is a sign that something is wrong. You may also be able to see the actual bone in the socket because it is no longer covered by a blood clot. You can also have a bad odor or taste coming from the socket that was left behind from the extracted tooth.

When Should You Contact Your Dentist?

It is normal to experience some pain and discomfort after a tooth extraction. However, you need to know when to contact your dentist to determine when you have a problem that needs their assistance. If you are having issues dealing with pain and discomfort using over-the-counter or prescription medications, consider contacting your dentist to get their opinion on what to do. This means that you are experiencing unusually high pain that could be due to dry socket.

How Can Dry Socket Be Avoided?

There are a few things that you can do at home to decrease the chance of having dry socket. Smoking is a big thing to avoid since it can cause the socket to become contaminated. Anything that puts pressure on the socket, such as sipping through a straw or spitting, can cause that blood clot to become dislodged as well. 

For more information on a tooth extraction, contact a professional near you.