When you have a tooth removed, your body forms a blood clot over the empty socket as part of its natural healing process. Although this clot should stay in place, there is always a slight risk that the clot could become dislodged. When this happens, you experience a painful complication called “dry socket,” which requires immediate attention from your dentist. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to avoid this situation. If you’re about to have a tooth extracted, use these tips.

Are you in need of a tooth extraction? This probably isn’t something that you’ve been looking forward to, but sometimes extractions are necessary to preserve the health of the rest of your smile. There is a ton of misinformation out there regarding tooth extractions, and it can be difficult to know what to ignore. Continue reading to learn about some of the most common myths out there and why they aren’t true.