Dry socket occurs when the blood clot that forms over the socket (the hole in the jawbone where your tooth has been removed) becomes dislodged. Without this protective clot, the socket will be exposed to air, food, or fluids and can experience tremendous pain. It can even delay your recovery if it leads to an infection.

Keep reading to learn how to avoid dry socket after your wisdom teeth removal.

How to Avoid Dry Socket: 4 Simple Steps

1. Avoid Smoking or Tobacco Use

If you smoke or use any tobacco products, your likelihood for developing dry socket increases. Smoke inhalation or exposure to chemicals in tobacco products can break up the protective clot. Oral surgeons recommend that you refrain from any tobacco products during your wisdom teeth recovery.

2. Don’t Use Straws

You may want to drink a delicious smoothie or sip on some iced water during recovery. But you should never use straws at any point during your wisdom teeth surgery recovery. Dry socket often develops when a patient creates too much suction in their mouth, causing the blood clot to break or become dislodged. Remember how to avoid dry socket: gently sip your drinks straight from the cup. Check out our recommendations for safe food to eat during your wisdom teeth recovery.

3. Watch Your Medication

Let your oral surgeon know if you are on any medications. Some studies suggest that use of oral contraceptives may increase your risk of developing dry socket. Your oral surgeon will be able to recommend the best option for you, as well as determine if any other medications could stop proper blood clotting.

4. Practice Good Oral Hygiene

Practicing good oral hygiene is the best way to ensure that you will not develop a painful dry socket. Brush gently during the days after surgery and use the mouth wash that your oral surgeon will provide for you. This will help prevent bacteria from getting into the socket and causing periodontitis, or an infection of the jawbone.

Now you know how to avoid dry socket. You have a great chance of a healthy recovery if you follow the instructions of your oral surgery team following your surgery. However, if you happen to develop dry socket, seek help from your oral surgeon immediately. If you have any questions or want to schedule a consultation about painful wisdom teeth, call Implants & Oral Surgery of Chattanooga today.

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What is TMJ?

First things first. TMJ stands for “TemporoMandibular Joint.” It’s the joint that connects your lower jaw (mandible) to the bone at the side of your head (temporal bone). You can feel it by placing the tips of your fingers directly below your ear and opening and closing your jaw.

The temporomandibular joint is one of the more complicated joints in the human body. While trauma or stress can sometimes cause TMJ, many times doctors simply do not know what causes it. In any case, most problems with that joint are tagged as TMJ.

Do You Have TMJ?

If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, you may have TMJ.

• You have difficulty eating
• Are you unable to eat without experiencing pain? Do you have trouble swallowing? Do your teeth no longer touch when you bite, making it difficult to chew? Are you less able to tear food with your front teeth
• You grind your teeth at night or clench your teeth during the day
• Do you wake up with pain or soreness in your jaw? Do you notice tooth indentations on your tongue? 
• Your jaw function is impeded
• Does your jaw pop or click when you open your mouth? Does your jaw have limited movement? Are you able to open and close your mouth without discomfort? 
• You commonly have headaches
• Do you have unexplainable pain in your temples, at the back of head, or even in your neck and shoulders? 
• Do you have ringing in the ears or dizziness
• These symptoms are less common than many, but may be caused by TMJ. Take note if either of them is paired with one of the other symptoms listed above.                                                                                                                                     

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms on a regular basis, you may be suffering from TMJ. But there’s hope! You can schedule an checkup with Implants & Oral Surgery of Chattanooga for a professional diagnosis and treatment plan.

How is TMJ Treated?

Often, TMJ symptoms are mild or go away after time. Home remedies can help ease many of the symptoms. These readily-available remedies include gentle massage, ice packs, anti-inflammatory medication, and avoiding chewing gum and foods that are hard to chew. Since jaw grinding and stress often go hand in hand, stress relief in other areas of your life can help to relieve your TMJ symptoms.

Your doctor may also recommend a stabilization splint or bite guard. This is a device that can be worn at night to prevent grinding. They’re not advised in all cases, however, so you should ask your doctor first.

What If You Need Further Treatment?

Home remedies may not always work. Your TMJ symptoms may persist – or even get worse. And, if TMJ is present alongside other conditions such as fibromyalgia or arthritis, you should contact your oral surgeon for further help. In special cases, your doctor may recommend physical therapy, prescription medication, or even surgery.

Many people are able to self-manage TMJ. And sometimes symptoms go away on their own. But if you are experiencing any of the above symptoms and they aren’t going away – or are affecting your quality of life – you can find help. Call us today for a caring, professional consultation.

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How to Take Care of Your Dental Implants

They need to be kept clean and plaque-free. Brushing after every meal goes a long way. You need to use a gentle brush stroke, taking care to clean all sides of the implant.

Depending on your preference, you can use either a soft-bristle toothbrush or an electric brush. Stay away from abrasive toothpaste, since your implant isn’t made of the hard enamel your natural teeth boast.

After brushing, at least twice a day, use dental floss to clean around the implant abutments. In addition, you may choose to use a water pic to flush out even more plaque.

Helpful Dental Implant Cleaning Tools

• Antimicrobial mouth rinses
• Interdental brushes or tufted brushes
• Disclosing tablets that stain plaque for easier visibility

Your dental implants will serve you well for a long time – provided you take care of them daily. You should see your dentist every 3-6 months for a thorough cleaning.

To check on your implant health, it’s important that you get x-rays done every year. They’ll help you make sure the implants are still seated in solid, healthy bone.

What If I Don’t Take Care of My Dental Implants?

Without daily care, your implants will suffer problems. Some problems are treatable if caught soon enough. But peri-implantitis, or bone loss, is not reversible. If your implants aren’t kept clean, they’ll eventually have to be removed due to bone loss – and your jaw will be less structurally sound.

Properly caring for your dental implants sounds important, right? It is – and with the cleaning tools we have today, you can do it.

If you have any questions or need advice about cleaning your dental implants, give us a call. We’re happy to help!

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But first, a quick definition.

Partial dentures are replacement teeth fastened to natural-colored plastic bases. It may connect to your teeth with a metal framework and clasps. Some have more natural-looking connections.

Dental implants, on the other hand, function more like real teeth. They’re screwed into your jawbone, fusing with it. They’re a much more permanent – and natural-looking – option.

Here’s what makes dental implants better than dentures:

1. Dental Implants Keep Your Look

Dentures don’t look natural. At least as far as teeth replacement goes. If you value your looks – or just want the self-confidence that comes with natural teeth – remember that dental implants aren’t easily spotted. They blend in with your natural teeth much more easily than dentures.

2. Dental Implants Maintain Your Health

Dental implants preserve bone. Because they’re inserted in the jawbone, they stimulate continued bone health. However, folks with dentures end up with loss of bone in their jaw where teeth have been removed. It changes their appearance. And every so often their dentures don’t fit right – so they need to buy new ones.

3. Dental Implants Save Your Money

Dentures can be more expensive long-term. They aren’t as long-lasting as dental implants are. You end up buying new ones every 3-4 years. Dental implants, on the other hand, are a one-time investment. Occasionally, they need replacing – but only after years (even decades) of use.

4. Dental Implants Are More Convenient

Dental implants can be cleaned while still in your mouth. And you don’t have to take them out at night. Contrast them with dentures, which must be taken out for cleaning and have to be soaked overnight.

5. Dental Implants Help Your Confidence

Dentures click, slip, and don’t look natural. This just might be the number one reason people avoid dentures. And there’s always the chance that they’ll fall out by accident…. Dental implants, though, are part of your mouth. They’ve got nowhere to move, and no one ever need know your tooth has been replaced.

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What would be your number one reason to choose dental implants? Are they the best choice for you?

Remember: when you decide to get dental implants, you need to select a true dental implant expert. There are many dentists and oral surgeons out there. But few have the amount of experience you can trust.

Each of our oral surgeons is professionally trained and educated in all current dental implant procedures. Best of all – each of them has done thousands of implants.

Give our friendly staff a call! We’d love to help you walk through this huge decision and outline all the reasons dental implants are better than dentures.

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1) Toothbrush/Tufted Brush

Brushing thoroughly is essential for tooth (and implant) health. There are 3 different toothbrush types you may use to clean your dental implants.

• Angled neck brushes make cleaning the implant abutments from the inside easier. They have slim brush heads and can reach into narrow spaces. Soft filaments won’t scratch your implants.
• Regular implant brushes have the narrow heads and soft filaments of angled neck brushes. This type is better for cleaning your implants from the outside.
• Tufted brushes have a round head shape. This type is perfect for focusing on the spot where your implants meet your gums.

2) Interdental Brush

Interdental brushes clean the sides of your dental implants quickly and easily. Ask your hygienist or dentist which brush size is best for you. Because your regular toothbrush can’t reach every part of your implant, this is an indispensable tool. It’s a small brush that’s exclusively designed to clean between your teeth.

3) Floss

For single-tooth dental implants, you may use regular floss, wrap it around the base of the implant, and pull the ends back and forth. This action should clean it well.

If you have a bar-type implant, you can use special implant floss. It has thin, stiff ends, and a thick, flexible section in the middle for effective cleaning between the implant and your gums. Just use the stiff thread to insert the floss, then pull it back and forth.

4) Water Pic

We recommend that you use a water pic (or oral irrigator) to reduce plaque, inflammation, and clean your implant thoroughly. Water pics have proven to prevent infection, and that’s what you want.

This tool also reduces bleeding. Normal flossing can irritate while it cleans. Water irrigation is much more gentle, and daily use can help ensure the success of your dental implant.

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True, they need special attention. Implants are made of materials that can be scratched. Since scratches can harbor bacteria, and bacteria leads to infection, your dental hygienist will use plastic cleaning tools on your implant.

Even so, implants have a high success rate – right around 95%. In order to prevent infection, gum disease, and bone loss, use these 4 tools to clean your dental implants daily. You’ll be glad you did!

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