Having your wisdom teeth removed by a professional oral surgeon is truly vital when it comes to the results of your surgery. The recovery process is definitely going to be a little discomforting but there are many ways that you can speed up the healing of your jaw, mouth and gums.

However, if it isn’t looked after properly, it could cause more serious conditions that can inflict severe pain that lasts for days on end. If this happens, it could be a sign that you are experiencing a complication called ‘dry socket’, also medically known as alveolar osteitis.

After a tooth has been removed, the hole in the bone is known as a socket. Dry socket happens when the blood clot fails to form or has dissolved, preventing it from protecting the bone from food, fluid and anything else that could cause bacteria or wounds that leads to an infection. The most common location of dry socket is the ‘hole’ that is left after the extraction of wisdom teeth.

So, if you are planning to get your wisdom teeth removed or you have just got it extracted, it is extremely important that you understand the causes of dry socket.

• Smoking
• Poor oral hygiene
• Surgical trauma during any tooth-removal
• Wisdom tooth removal
• Oral contraceptives

Preventions

• Smoking is a major factor in causing dry socket and it is highly recommended that you DO NOT smoke after your wisdom teeth removal procedure.
• Also, try to avoid eating anything with chunks of vegetable and meat because it might get lodged in the sockets, and never touch a drop of alcoholic beverage.
• Do not brush your teeth, rinse your mouth, spit or use any mouthwash during the first 24 hours after wisdom teeth removal. Gently rinse your mouth with warm salt water according to our surgeons’ reccommendation.
• Do not drink through straws. It will create pressure that might pull off the blood clot.
• For women who are on contraceptive pills, schedule your wisdom teeth removal surgery during the 23 -28 days of your cycle, when your estrogen levels are lower.

5 Questions About Dry Socket You Need to Know About

As mentioned above, if you have a wisdom tooth extraction done, one of the things the dentist will caution you about is a dry socket. Here we shall focus on 5 questions that many people have but may not get the chance to ask a professional.

1- How long does dry socket last? 

If you did not follow the doctor’s advice and found yourself experiencing symptoms of dry socket, you might wonder how long you will have to deal with that agony. Some people think the moment they get to the dentist, they will be given a remedy that will make everything go away. 

Well, the effect can last between 7 and 10 days even after the dentist has prescribed remedies. This is why you should, by all means, follow advice on how to prevent dry socket. 

2- Are there home remedies for dry socket? 

For most people, it is about pain. It is usually very excruciating and yet you have to bare it as you travel to the dentist and you may not even get attended to right away. So what to do? Essential oils are recommended as a home remedy for the pain, they can cause temporary relief. Put some essential oil on clean gauze and then place it over the wound and bite on it. 

Honey is also recommended as it has antibacterial properties. Note however that this is only temporary until you get to the dentist. 

3- Can dry socket go away without treatment? 

This is a worrying question because it suggests a person may want to avoid going to the dentist. Please take NOTE: You must contact the doctor as soon as you notice symptoms of dry socket. 

That said, however, the answer is yes, but it is really hard to ignore the symptoms especially since the dry socket healing time can be as long as 3 weeks if you do not receive any medical attention. You should also know that there is bleeding to contend with and you need to avoid infection. 

4- What does exercise have to do with the dry socket? 

Many patients may wonder why they would be told to avoid exercise after the procedure. You may reason that it is the tooth that was removed not your limbs so what has exercise got to do with it? Exercise increases the heart rate and this means more blood will be flowing in your body and that is not good for clotting. If there is no clotting then you will get dry socket. 

5- Does dry socket lead to death? 

With all the fuss about dry socket, you may be wondering if there is a risk of dry socket wisdom teeth leading to death. This is not a life-threatening condition but if the right care is not given, complications can threaten your life.

If you aren’t sure when you should schedule your procedure, come visit us at our wisdom teeth removal clinic in Melbourne and our skilled surgeons will help you with planning your extraction!

 If you are looking for an experienced oral surgeon in Melbourne to help you with your wisdom teeth removal, take a trip down to our clinic and get your teeth examined by Dr. Pinho and our team of highly qualified dental surgeons. Book your next appointment today by calling 1 800 WISDOM or book online at www.wisdomdentalemergency.com.au