curly haired woman holding her jaw with dry socket pain

How to Avoid Dry Sockets After Oral Surgery

If you’re preparing for oral surgery, chances are you’ve heard about the dangers of dry sockets during recovery. While the vast majority of our patients experience a complication-free recovery from oral surgery, occasionally folks do experience painful dry sockets. The following information will help you learn what dry sockets are and how you can avoid them.

What Are Dry Sockets?

After oral surgery, your body immediately begins work to heal itself. This involves a blood clot over the extraction site to protect the delicate bone and tissue beneath. Because the blood clot is very delicate, it can be dislodged. This results in a dry socket, a painful condition that can also expose you to infection or other complications.

How Can You Avoid Dry Sockets?

After your oral surgery, our team at Red Oak Family Dentistry will send you home with detailed instructions on recovery. First, you’ll want to get plenty of rest to allow your body to devote its energy to healing. You’ll also receive instructions as to how to gently rinse and clean your extraction site to prevent infection. Additionally, we will instruct you to stick to soft foods until you’ve been cleared by our team. Chewing harder foods too early can dislodge your delicate blood clots and lead to dry sockets.

Say No to Straws

Straws are a common cause of a dry socket. The suction you create when using a straw can easily dislodge those delicate blood clots before they have a chance to heal. While you’re in recovery, do not use straws until you’ve been cleared to do so!

During your recovery from oral surgery, take note of any unusual changes to your mouth or pain levels as you heal. If you do develop a dry socket, our team is here to help. We’ll work to gently clean the area and pack it with protective gauze to prevent infection. To ask us any questions about dry sockets or to schedule your next appointment, call us today!

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