Fellows Family Dental


	Root Canals
	Root Planing
	Extractions
	Whitening

Dry sockets usually occur 4 days following an extraction. If you get one you will know it, the pain can be serious. The first sign is a sudden turn for the worse. Please call if this happens. Dry sockets can usually be remedied easily. Dry sockets usually can be avoided if the instructions below are followed.

Do not rinse or swish for 24 hours. You need to let the clot form and strengthen inside the socket. You don’t want to wash it away by rinsing or spitting. After 24 hours you can rinse as many times as you would like with warm salt water or a mild mouth rinse. This will also help in the healing process.
Do not suck on straws, cigarettes or anything else. This will drastically increase your chances of getting dry sockets. Milk shakes are great if eaten with a spoon.
Smoking needs to be avoided as long as possible, but at least for 24 hours. It is very important not to smoke; first because you are sucking on something, secondly the nicotine slows down the healing process considerably. The longer it takes to heal the more pain you will be in. Dry sockets are much more likely if you smoke.

Bleeding

Hopefully the bleeding will have stopped by the time you leave the office. If it hasn't, don’t be alarmed; just keep pressure on the gauze that the assistant has given you it should stop. If it doesn't, biting on a black tea bag (covering the extraction site) will usually stop it.

For the next day or so try not to elevate your blood pressure by exercising or vigorous activity. Just like the weak area of a hose will burst if the water pressure is to high, so will the weak, healing vessels at the surgical sight if your blood pressure gets too high. If the bleeding persists, don’t hesitate to call the office.

Food

You may eat whatever you are comfortable eating. Try to stay away from things like tortilla chips that can be shoved into the socket. Use your common sense and you will be fine.

Sutures

If Dr. Fellows needed to suture the extraction site, the stitches should fall out in 7-10 days. Before then the loose ends will bug you a little. Try to leave them alone with your tongue.

If you have any questions of concerns, PLEASE call. We will do whatever we can to help the situation.