Avoiding a dry socket

Sometimes, after a tooth extraction, a problem called a “dry socket” occurs. This is when the socket that used to hold a tooth dries out, exposing a portion of the bone and causing a dull ache that spreads from the socket itself, to the nearby ear. The pain usually manifests about three to five days after the extraction procedure.

There is really no way to predict for sure whether you’ll have a dry socket after a tooth extraction, but there are certain ways to prevent it.

1. Keep the site clean. 24 hours after the tooth is extracted rinse the socket with a warm salt water solution composed out of a half a teaspoon of salt dissolved into a a cup of water.

2. Follow your dentists post-operation instructions. After a tooth extraction procedure, you dentist will give you pointers on what to do after the extraction. Make sure to follow them and stick to them.