Are you Suffering from Dry Socket?

Dry Socket is a rare condition that occurs after a tooth has been pulled. Dry socket is painful and should be treated by your dentist as quickly as possible.

So what is Dry Socket?

According to Colgate, some discomfort is expected after a tooth extraction. However, if you have intense pain that doesn’t want to go away, you could be suffering from alveolar osteitis or dry socket.

Only about two to five percent of patients will develop the condition, which is very uncomfortable, but treatable.

The hole that is left from the tooth will form a blood clot in the socket to protect the nerves and the bone underneath. Occasionally that blood clot can dissolve or become dislodged after the tooth has been pulled. This leaves the nerves and the bone exposed to fluids, food particles, and air. This can lead to pain and infection.

Who gets Dry Socket?

Some people are more likely to be affected by dry socket after a tooth extraction including: 

• Smokers
• People who practice poor oral hygiene
• Wisdom teeth extractions
• Greater than usual tooth trauma during surgery
• Birth control pill use
• History of dry socket after extractions
• Rinsing, spitting and sipping through a straw can also raise your risk of dry socket 

Dry Socket Symptoms

Check out the extraction site. If you don’t see a blood clot and see a white colored bone, it’s time to see your dentist. Other symptoms of dry socket include: 

• Bad breath
• An unpleasant taste in your mouth
• Pain 

How is it treated?

Your dentist may prescribe antibiotics to prevent infection and will remove any debris before filling the hole with medication to promote healing. You will probably be asked to come back for dressing changes until the socket has healed and your pain has diminished.

If you are having a tooth pulled, or have recently had an extraction that isn’t healing properly, call or click and schedule an appointment with your dentist today. 

What To Do in a Dental Emergency

When it comes to sports, whether recreational or professional one of the biggest things players have to deal with are tooth and mouth accidents and now that spring is just around the corner, anyone who plays an individual or competitive sport could be at risk.

Your dentist explains that over 50 percent of all children under the age of 12 in the United States will have some sort of head or tooth injury. The majority of those injuries will occur from a fall, a fight, or a sporting injury. Most head and tooth injuries could have been prevented with a custom made sports mouthguard. According to the American Dental Association, the three types of mouthguards available, stock, boil and bite and custom made will all do the best they can at protecting your mouth and teeth, but because the mouthguards made by your dentist are molded to your teeth and gums they will offer better protection.

If happens, there are some things you can do before you get to the dentist’s office.

If you knock out a tooth, keep the tooth moist and try to stop the bleeding. If you can, try and push the tooth back in. If this is impossible, place the teeth between your cheek and your gums or in a bowl of milk. If the tooth is intact, it is quite possible that it can be saved. You can also purchase a tooth preservation product that carries the American DentalAssociation Seal of Acceptance.

If you have cracked your tooth, rinse immediately with a warm water rinse before placing cold compresses on your face to keep the swelling down.

Clean the area with water if you have bitten your lip or tongue or if it was accidently bitten on the playing feel. Apply a cold compress and see your doctor as quickly as possible.

Toothaches can be helped by rinsing the area with warm water to keep it free from bacteria and food particles. Use dental floss and a drop or two of oil of cloves to help deaden the pain. Never put aspirin on your gums or your teeth.

For more information regarding dental emergencies, call or click and schedule an appointment with your dentist today.