Updated on October 7, 2024
4 min read

Tips to Prevent Dry Socket After Tooth Extraction

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A dry socket is also known as fibrinolytic osteitis or alveolar osteitis. It is a common complication of tooth extractions (like wisdom tooth removal) that can occur 2 to 5 days after the extraction procedure.

A dry socket occurs when the blood clot around the extraction site fails to develop or becomes dislodged. This exposes the socket and the nerve endings to food and bacteria.

Let’s discuss what you can do to prevent dry sockets, methods a dentist would do, and the symptoms to watch out for in case you develop one.

Tips for Preventing a Dry Socket After A Tooth Extraction

After getting a tooth removed, you should be gentle with your mouth to give it the time it needs to heal properly. Here are a few things you can do to prevent a dry socket:

  • Avoid forceful mouth movements — Don’t do anything that might dislodge the blood clot, such as using straws, smoking, or vigorous rinsing.
  • Proper oral hygiene — Be careful around the extraction site, use a soft-bristled toothbrush, and avoid brushing directly over the area.
  • Special rinse — Your doctor might recommend a special mouth rinse to keep things clean. You can also use salt water rinses to promote healing.
  • Eat soft foods — Avoid hard, crunchy, or chewy foods that could irritate the extraction site or dislodge the blood clot. Try yogurt, applesauce, and mashed potatoes.
  • Manage swelling and pain — Apply an ice pack to your face to reduce swelling, and take any prescribed pain medications as intended.
  • At-home remedies For pain relief, consider natural alternatives such as warm compresses, chamomile tea rinses, or clove oil.

What Do Dentists Use to Prevent a Dry Socket?

There are some standard practices dentists use to prevent the occurrence of a dry socket. They include:

Antibiotics

Antibiotics are an effective way to prevent postoperative complications like dry sockets. However, some studies suggest the risks of developing complications are too minimal to continue prescribing antibiotics.

Researchers are also concerned that taking antibiotics before tooth extractions might cause bacterial resistance.

Antiseptic Mouthwash

Using antiseptic mouthwash before a tooth extraction helps prevent dry socket. Betadine or povidone-iodine 1% mouthwash is especially beneficial for older people who are more at risk of developing dry socket. 

Betadine is a mixture of povidone and iodine which contains short-acting but wide-spectrum bactericidal effects. It also helps against sporicidal, fungicidal, and virucidal activity. Its effects also last longer than other antiseptics. 

However, it’s important to keep in mind that some people shouldn’t use Betadine, specifically:

  • People with thyroid conditions
  • Children under the age of 12
  • People are allergic to povidone-iodine

Chlorhexidine

Chlorhexidine mouthwashes, gels, and sprays are antiseptic disinfectants that can help reduce bacteria in your mouth. It also helps with other conditions like:

  • Mouth infections
  • Mouth ulcers
  • Gum disease
  • Sore throat
  • Gingivitis

Chlorhexidine mouthwashes or gels can be used by people 12 years or older. Common side effects include staining of the teeth and tongue, taste changes, and tartar formation. 

Platelet Rich Fibrin and Hyaluronic Acid

After tooth extraction, dentists sometimes apply platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) and hyaluronic acid (HA) dressings to the socket. These can help promote blood clot formation.

PRF is a biomaterial prepared from a person’s blood. It’s taken before a tooth extraction. Dentists prepare it using a simple processing method.

HA naturally occurs in the body’s tissues. It’s also a critical component in cell migration and proliferation, ideal for wound healing.

The combination of PRF and HA has many advantages, including:

  • Accelerated wound healing
  • Reduced scar tissue
  • Wound site protection
  • Improved comfort

What are the Symptoms of Dry Socket?

People with dry sockets can’t prevent food particles or the tongue from stimulating the exposed bone. This causes frequent, acute pain.

Other symptoms you can watch out for include:

  • Bad breath
  • A foul taste in the mouth
  • Dry and empty tooth socket
  • Severe pain in the extraction site
  • Discharge from the extraction site
  • Excessive bleeding

People often describe dry socket pain as throbbing or radiating. It can also extend from the gums to the jaw and ear area. Some people describe the pain as similar to a toothache.

If you start to notice any of these symptoms, contact a dentist immediately. Treatment is essential to ease symptoms and encourage proper healing.  

Dry Socket Risk Factors

People are more likely to develop this condition if they:

  • Smoke
  • Had the condition before
  • Experienced a difficult extraction
  • Are menstruating
  • Are taking oral contraceptive pills or menstrual hormones

While dry sockets can be a painful and uncomfortable complication following tooth extraction, understanding the risk factors, prevention techniques, and treatment options can help minimize the likelihood of experiencing this issue.

We also recommend following your dentist’s instructions and maintaining proper oral hygiene for a smooth healing process.

Last updated on October 7, 2024
8 Sources Cited
Last updated on October 7, 2024
All NewMouth content is medically reviewed and fact-checked by a licensed dentist or orthodontist to ensure the information is factual, current, and relevant.

We have strict sourcing guidelines and only cite from current scientific research, such as scholarly articles, dentistry textbooks, government agencies, and medical journals. This also includes information provided by the American Dental Association (ADA), the American Association of Orthodontics (AAO), and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).
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  2. Chlorhexidine.” NHS, Crown, 2021.
  3. Hasheminia et al. “The efficacy of 1% Betadine mouthwash on the incidence of dry socket after mandibular third molar surgery.” Journal of Clinical and Experimental Dentistry, Medicina Oral S.L., 2018.
  4. Rohe C. & Schlam M. “Alveolar Osteitis.” Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing, 2023.
  5. Kumar, N. “Dry Socket Etiopathogenesis, Management, and Prevention: A Brief Systemic Review of Literature.” European Journal of Molecular & Clinical Medicine, 2020.
  6. Mamoun, J. “Dry Socket Etiology, Diagnosis, and Clinical Treatment Techniques.” Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, The Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, 2018
  7. Naik et al. “Role of Platelet rich fibrin in wound healing: A critical review.” Journal of Conservative Dentistry, Journal of Conservative Dentistry, 2013.
  8. Rakhshan, V. “Common risk factors of dry socket (alveolitis osteitis) following dental extraction: a brief narrative.” Journal of Stomatology, Oral, and Maxillofacial Surgery, 2018.
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