You may be ready to come in for wisdom teeth removal. You may also have some reservations because you have heard about a disorder called dry socket that can occur after an extraction. The good news is that if you are diligent with your aftercare, this is not something you need to worry about. However, we completely understand that if you don’t know much (or anything) about this possible complication, you might feel hesitant about dealing with your third molars. We are glad to answer questions for you, so you can put this concern to rest.
Questions and Answers
Question: What exactly is dry socket? I’ve heard about it but I don’t know what it is.
Answer: This is a disorder that may occur after a dental extraction if the area becomes dried out. This happens if the clot that forms in the socket (your body’s natural scab) somehow becomes dislodged. Taking care of the problem will require additional care.
Question: So, how do I avoid accidentally dislodging the clot, so I don’t end up dealing with dry socket?
Answer: You can easily avoid dealing with this problem by following our aftercare instructions as closely as possible. You will notice that they aren’t very challenging at all. To ensure your socket remains protected (and the clot stays in place), you must simply not disturb it. Don’t touch it with your tongue, don’t touch it with a straw, or anything else.
Question: Is there anything else I need to be extremely careful about?
Answer: Of course. Remember when we mentioned using a straw? Don’t do this. Making any type of sucking motion can result in dislodging the clot, leading to dry socket.
ABOUT YOUR SANTA ROSA, CA, ORAL SURGEONS:
Combining experience in oral and maxillofacial surgery with a genuine care for their patients’ health and comfort, the team at Santa Rosa Oral Surgery is ready to improve the health and beauty of smiles in the Sonoma County and North Bay area. To schedule a consultation, contact our office by calling 707-545-4625 (Santa Rosa).
