Dry Socket (cont.)
What can I do to prevent dry socket?
Because smoking is a big risk factor for dry socket, avoid cigarettes, cigars, and any other tobacco products for a day or so before your surgery. If you take birth control pills, ask your dentist about performing the extraction on a day when you are getting the lowest dose of estrogen because the hormone can affect the ability of the blood to clot. Also, check with your dentist about other medications you are taking that can interfere with normal blood clotting.
After your surgery, avoid drinking through a straw and spitting for the first few days. Also don't rinse your mouth more than your dentist recommends. If you do rinse -- do so gently. Be sure to visit your dentist for all scheduled follow-up visits.
WebMD Medical Reference
Sources:
American Dental Association: "Dry Socket."
Reekie, D, Downes, P, Devlin, CV, Nixon, GM, Devlin, H. British Dental Journal, 2006; vol. 200: pp. 210-213.
Roberts J, Custalow C, Hedges, J. Roberts: Clinical Procedures in Emergency Medicine, 4th ed, Elsevier, 2004.
Reviewed by Matthew Hoffman, MD, on July 10, 2008
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Last Editorial Review: 8/6/2008
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