Having wisdom teeth surgery can be a real pain, but if your healing regimen goes awry, you can find yourself in a world of hurt. An expert from the Texas A&M College of Dentistry explains this uncomfortable complication and how to avoid it. Show
What is dry socket?When a tooth is extracted, a blood clot forms and fills the extraction site to help protect the area as it heals. However, once in a while, if you’re not careful, that blood clot can be displaced, which leaves the bone and nerve high and dry. “The blood clot is there to protect the wound,” said Michael Ellis, DDM, clinical associate professor with the Texas A&M College of Dentistry. “If the clot is broken down prematurely, then the bone is exposed and the area becomes a ‘dry socket.’” The blood clot has its own “life cycle,” which can last for about a day or two. It forms naturally, then the body breaks it down once the socket starts filling with soft tissue to help the healing process. “We typically see dry socket after the removal of lower impacted third molars, or wisdom teeth,” Ellis said. “The pain can last anywhere from a few days to a week.” Symptoms and treatmentThere are not many symptoms of dry socket, but there is one that stands out above the rest, and that’s pain. “When someone has a dry socket, the first thing they’ll notice is a moderate to severe amount of pain,” Ellis said. “The exposed bone is sensitive, and that is the source of pain, which can be dull or throbbing and even radiate up to the patient’s ear.” A dry socket can also have a foul odor, and this can lead to the patient experiencing a bad taste in the mouth. While many people may think that their dry socket is infected or that having one increases the chances of infection, that may not be the case. “There’s not a lot of swelling or fever with a dry socket,” Ellis said. “An infection can happen, but it’d be unrelated to the dry socket.” The treatment for dry socket is pretty straightforward, and is almost the same as cleaning out any other painful wound. “You want to clean the wound, irrigate it with saline and then dress the wound with medicated gauze,” Ellis said. “Treating the wound doesn’t speed up the healing process: It just deals with the amount of discomfort that the patient is in—whether you treat it or not, it will get better.” Risk factors and how to prevent a dry socketAfter surgery, a surgeon will provide directions to help decrease the odds of developing dry socket. Some of the instructions include avoiding carbonated or warm beverages, keeping the mouth relaxed and avoid messing with the area. Also avoid using a straw, as the suction can dislodge the blood clot. Clots break down naturally, but some people may have factors that causes them to break down prematurely, a condition called secondary fibrinolysis. This process can be induced by medication, stress or an underlying medical condition. People who smoke can also see an increase risk of dry socket, especially if they smoke within three to five days after surgery. Women who take birth control also see a slight increase in risk for dry socket. If you begin to notice an unpleasant discharge, severe pain or fever, call your surgeon right away. Also, if your swelling gets worse instead of better, or if your bleeding doesn’t subside with pressure, contact your health care provider. Complications after surgery are rare, but they are real. Media contact: Dee Dee Grays, , 979.436.0611 Dominic HernandezCommunications Specialist I It can take up to 2 weeks to recover from the surgery for having your wisdom tooth or teeth removed. During this time, you may have: Report any excess bleeding, severe pain or any
other unusual symptoms to your dentist or oral surgeon immediately. To reduce pain and aid your recovery, it can be helpful to: It's usually recommended that you take a day or two off work after having a wisdom tooth removed. You won't need a sick note from your doctor or dentist for this. You can drive immediately after the procedure if local anaesthetic was used, but you should avoid driving for at least 24 hours if a sedative was used, or 48 hours if the procedure was carried out under general anaesthetic. Returning to normalAfter your wisdom teeth have been removed and any swelling and bruising has disappeared, your mouth and face should return to normal. You'll usually be able to brush your teeth normally after a few days. Make sure you finish any course of antibiotics you've been given. A check-up appointment may be arranged for about a week or so after the procedure. At this point, any remaining stitches may be removed. Page last reviewed: 17 May 2021 Why does it hurt when I drink water after wisdom teeth removal?The socket becomes inflamed and may fill with food debris, adding to the pain. If you develop dry socket, the pain usually begins one to three days after your tooth is removed. Dry socket is the most common complication following tooth extractions, such as the removal of third molars (wisdom teeth).
Does drinking water hurt with dry socket?Without the blood clot's protection, the bone is exposed, leading to intense radiating pain along the face. Cold exposure, such a drinking cold water, can also cause pain.
Does it hurt to drink after wisdom teeth removal?After your wisdom tooth extraction, you should avoid consuming hot coffee, tea, and other hot drinks for 24-48 hours. The heat from these liquids can irritate the surgery site and damage the healing process.
Why does it hurt to drink after tooth extraction?When a tooth is extracted, a blood clot is formed in the area from where the tooth is removed. The blood clot covers the nerves and stops bacteria from forming. Alcohol can stop blood clot formation or can dislodge it, which can cause a dry socket. Dry socket causes severe pain and can delay the recovery period.
|
Pain when drinking water after wisdom tooth extraction
Related Posts
Copyright © 2024 kemunculan Inc.
