Dry Sockets

Tooth extractions are a routine procedure and Dr. Haeri works hard to ensure her patients have successful recoveries. However, complications such as a dry socket can happen. To prevent this, Dr. Haeri wants her patients to understand what to avoid in the days following an extraction and when to come to her for help.

As you can probably guess, a dry socket is what happens when an empty socket dries out. This is extremely painful and poses a high risk of infection. Typically, when teeth are extracted, a blood clot will form to protect the socket, but certain medications, including birth control, can prevent this from happening. We also advise patients to gently rinse their mouths with salt water after surgery to moisturize and prevent decay in a way which will not disturb the clot. Sipping through straws and smoking are known to increase the risk a clot will be dislodged or dissolved.

A dry socket will usually be evident within two days of an extraction. Patients should come to us immediately so we can prevent further damage and ease their pain. After using a vacuum to clean the socket, Dr. Haeri will apply medicated wound dressing (this could be cloth or a paste) and prescribe antibiotics and pain medications. Unfortunate though dry sockets are, with proper treatment they should not prevent a patient from making a full recovery.

Suzanne Haeri, DDS, of Cosmetic & General Dentistry, is located at 1100 S. La Cienega Blvd., Los Angeles, California, 90035. To set up an appointment, call 310-647-2200 or visit SuzanneHaeriDDS.com and fill out a request.