Wisdom Tooth Extraction Aftercare: How to Prevent Dry Socket

After your wisdom teeth are pulled, your body naturally forms a protective blood clot over the extraction site. This blood clot covers your tooth, bone, and nerves and protects foreign debris from irritating them.

Dry socket, or alveolar osteitis, happens when the blood clot that forms in the tooth socket after an extraction dissolves or gets dislodged too early. This exposes the underlying bone and nerves; unfortunately, when that happens, you’ll likely experience pain.

Thankfully, there are several steps you can take to help prevent dry sockets. Below, Dr. Sabrina Mickel and the Sabrina E. Mickel DDS & Associates team share several strategies for reducing your risk of dry sockets.

How to prevent dry socket

Fortunately, with the right care, you can significantly reduce your risk. The most important step is to carefully follow all of Dr. Mickel’s aftercare instructions. These instructions are designed to help you heal properly, avoid infections, and avoid complications like dry socket.

Your aftercare instructions may include reminders to:

Avoid straws

Avoid using straws or creating any suction in your mouth in the first few days after your extraction. The sucking action can dislodge the blood clot and increase the risk of dry socket. 

Stick to drinking from a glass and avoid spitting forcefully.

Steer clear of smoking

Smoking is a major risk factor for dry socket. Smokers have a 13.2% chance of developing dry socket compared to a 3.8% chance in non-smokers. 

The chemicals in tobacco can interfere with healing, and the sucking motion can disturb the blood clot. If you smoke, try to avoid it for at least 72 hours after your surgery, or longer if possible.

If you’re on the fence about quitting, use this as your opportunity to quit. The Ohio Department of Health provides many resources, including the Ohio Tobacco Quitline. Quitting before your wisdom tooth extraction can help reduce your risk of dry socket.

Eat soft foods

For the first few days after your extraction, stick to soft foods that don’t require much chewing. Soft food doesn’t have to be boring, though! Try scrambled eggs, cheesy mashed potatoes, overnight oatmeal, soups, smoothies, or any pureed fruit or veggie.  Avoid crunchy, chewy, or spicy foods that could irritate your extraction site.

Clean your teeth carefully

While you want to keep your mouth clean, be gentle around the extraction site(s). Brush your teeth carefully and avoid the area where your tooth was removed. Rinse your mouth with warm salt water or an antibacterial mouthwash, but don’t swish vigorously, as this could dislodge the clot.

Manage pain and swelling

Use over-the-counter pain relievers as recommended by our team to manage discomfort. Apply a cold compress to your cheek to help reduce swelling and numb the area. You might also find a cold compress designed for facial surgery — these stay in place with velcro straps and won’t slide off.

Avoid strenuous exercise for a few days

Strenuous activities can increase your blood pressure, which might disturb the blood clot. Take it easy for the first few days after your surgery, and avoid heavy lifting and intense exercise.

Dr. Mickel will guide you when it’s safe to return to your normal gym workouts.

Learn the warning signs of dry socket

Despite your best efforts, dry socket can still occur. Watch for signs such as severe pain that radiates to your ear, eye, or temple, an empty-looking socket, bad breath, and an unpleasant taste in your mouth. If you notice any of these symptoms, call us immediately.

When you arrive, Dr. Mickel reviews your symptoms and examines your mouth for any signs of dry socket and/or infections. Dry socket is typically treated by:

• Flushing out the socket to remove any food debris 
• Applying a dressing with topical medication
• Pain relief medication
• Self-care at home

If your symptoms are related to an infection, you may notice swelling, fever, pus, and a foul taste in your mouth. Bacterial infections are treated with antibiotics. 

If you’ve had a wisdom tooth extraction and are concerned about dry socket, give us a call at 216-510-9974. For less urgent matters, click here to request an appointment in our Beachwood, Ohio, office.