Dental surgery on the Road Lewisham SE13

A dental extraction is the removal of teeth from the dental socket in the alveolar bone. Extractions are performed for a variety of reasons, but most commonly to remove teeth which have become un-restorable through tooth decay, periodontal disease or dental trauma; especially when they are associated with toothache.

After extraction, a blood clot would normally form in the socket to protect the bone and nerves underneath. This clot should be looked after as it speeds up healing process and reduces the risk of infection. For the first 24 hours, is it advised to avoid eating hot food, not to smoke, drink any alcohol, and especially not to disturb the clot in any way.

Here are some other factors that may also contribute to the risk of affecting the clot:

• Poor oral hygiene,
• Having wisdom teeth pulled,
• Having greater than usual trauma during the tooth extraction surgery,
• Using birth control pills,
• Have a history of dry socket after having teeth pulled,
• Rinsing and spitting a lot,
• Drinking through a straw after the removal of a tooth.

Sometimes, this clot can become dislodged or dissolve a couple of days after the extraction, leaving the bone and nerve exposed to air, food, fluid, and anything else that enters the mouth. This is called dry socket, and can lead to not only infection, but severe pain that can last for 5 or 6 days. This is why having and maintaining the clot is so important. Fortunately only very small percentages, about 2-5%, of people develop dry socket after a tooth extraction, and although it may be uncomfortable, it is easily treatable.