While preventing tooth loss is one of the primary goals of dentistry, extraction is sometimes the best way to preserve the health of the rest of the smile. Modern tooth removal procedures are rendered completely painless by anesthetics and sedation treatments, but patients can still expect discomfort during the healing process. Dry socket is a miserably painful condition that can happen if the extraction wound is disturbed, but it can be avoided with the proper precautions. Here’s how to keep your recovery smooth.
How Are Tooth Extractions Performed?
If your dentist recommends tooth extraction, you can rest assured that the procedure is the best way to protect your oral health. The process begins with your oral healthcare provider administering an appropriate anesthetic to ensure your comfort, and you may also receive sedation if you need extra help staying still and calm. When you are ready, your dentist will lift the targeted tooth from the gums using a device called an elevator and gently rock it loose from its connective tissue using forceps.
Afterward, they will close the wound, place gauze over it, and provide you with detailed aftercare instructions to help you enjoy a smooth recovery. Adhering to these directions is the best way to avoid unpleasant complications that can arise from preventable injuries and infections.
What Is Dry Socket?
Dry socket happens when the blood clot forming over the empty socket of an extracted tooth is broken or dislodged, exposing the nerve, bone, and soft tissue inside the wound to bacteria and debris in the air and the oral environment. This condition causes severe pain and leaves the sufferer more vulnerable to destructive infections, making it a dental emergency that requires immediate attention. Contact your dentist as soon as possible if you suspect that you have dry socket.
How Can I Prevent Dry Socket?
Your aftercare instructions will provide you with all the information you will need to avoid dry socket. You can expect these to include:
- Refrain from spitting or drinking through a straw while your wound is healing, as these motions cause pressure shifts within the mouth that can disturb the blood plot protecting your extraction site.
- Abstain from smoking after your extraction, as nicotine and other chemicals in tobacco can interfere with your gums’ healing process.
- Avoid probing at your extraction site with your tongue or fingers.
- Take special care when brushing or flossing around the extraction site.
- Limit your consumption of acidic, crunchy, or sugary foods and beverages or avoid them altogether, as these can irritate your healing gums and feed harmful oral bacteria.
A tooth extraction can prevent further infections and relieve chronic pain. Complying with your dentist’s aftercare instructions will keep your healing process as comfortable as possible and help your mouth stay healthy and infection-free.
About the Author
Dr. Kevin Grill earned his dental degree at the Ohio State University and has completed extensive postgraduate coursework to develop his skills further. He is proud to be a member of American Dental Association as well as the Ohio Dental Association. His office in Huntsville offers general, restorative, cosmetic, and emergency dentistry as well as extraction services. To learn more about caring for your mouth after tooth extraction, contact his practice online or dial (937) 843-3932.