Extraction Action: 4 Helpful Tips for Avoiding Dry Socket

Many patients feel nervous when they learn they need a tooth extraction because they worry it might hurt. Thankfully, your dentist will undoubtedly numb the area before starting your procedure to help you feel more comfortable. Many also offer sedatives, like nitrous oxide (laughing gas), to help you feel calm and relaxed.

After your procedure, you must follow your provider’s post-op instructions carefully to help a blood clot form at the site. This protects the recently exposed tissues to prevent a potentially painful complication known as dry socket. Continue reading to learn 4 tips for avoiding it!

Tip #1: Clean Your Mouth Consistently

Your mouth is full of bacteria, and if harmful germs penetrate the extraction site, you could develop dry socket or an infection. However, your provider might recommend that you avoid brushing and flossing for the first 24 hours following your procedure to give your gums enough time to build the blood clot essential for your healing.

Thankfully, you can still keep your mouth clean by rinsing gently with salt water to naturally disinfect and soothe your tender tissues.

Tip #2: Avoid Straws

You should also drink plenty of water following your procedure to stay hydrated. Not only does H2O rinse harmful germs, leftover food, and other debris out of your mouth to keep it clean, but it also supports your body’s immune system.

With that said, you should steer clear of using straws after a tooth extraction because the force of suction can damage or dislodge your blood clot.

Tip #3: Eat Carefully

Your dentist will likely also provide recommended foods to enjoy and avoid to help your mouth recover as quickly as possible while avoiding possible complications. For instance, eating anything too hot or spicy could hurt your blood clot, and anything too hard or sticky could push or yank it out of place. Not only that, but they can also get stuck in the socket, causing additional aches.

Sticking to softer foods, such as applesauce, scrambled eggs, yogurt, or mashed potatoes, can prevent this.

Tip #4: Don’t Smoke

If you regularly indulge in cigarettes, vapes, or chewing tobacco, you may want to abstain until you’ve recovered after having your troublesome tooth removed. These products contain nicotine, which is a vasoconstrictor. It limits your blood oxygen supply and flow, meaning your body can’t deliver essential nutrients to your teeth and gums. At the same time, it suppresses your immune system, increasing the likelihood of infections.

If you have additional questions about proper care instructions following your tooth extraction, your dentist can provide information that takes your unique circumstances into account!

Meet the Author

Dr. Saeed Rouhani is passionate about helping patients improve their lives by enhancing their dental health. He earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery from the Baylor College of Dentistry, and today, he has nearly 20 years of experience. He welcomes patients of all ages, and offers a comprehensive menu of services, including extractions, to meet all your family’s needs under one roof. If you have a damaged tooth requiring removal, you can request an appointment on the website or call (972) 733-0999.