OST Blog

You have probably heard of dry socket before, but have never investigated exactly what it involves. This is understandable, after all, nobody really wants to think about having complications when they have a tooth pulled. You may be surprised to learn that dry socket, medically known as alveolar osteitis, only happens to a tiny percentage (between two and five percent) of people having tooth extractions, and that it is quite easy to treat.

Dry Socket Symptoms

Dry socket symptoms generally begin with pain in the area where the tooth was pulled. Over time, untreated dry socket can result in pain that radiates to the ear area as well. Other typical symptoms include bad breath and having a consistently bad taste or smell in the mouth.

You may notice dry socket symptoms immediately after a tooth extraction, or it could take a few days. This all depends upon the formation of the protective blood clot that should exist over the area where the tooth used to be.

How Dry Socket Happens

After a tooth extraction, a small protective blood clot should form in the area where the tooth had been. The purpose of this blood clot is to cover, and thereby protect, the now-exposed bone and nerve network. Occasionally, this blood clot can dissolve prematurely or it can move away from the proper area, leaving the area fully exposed to everything that goes into the mouth. When air, food, beverages, mouthwash, and any other substances touch the delicate nerves and exposed bone, infection — and the pain that goes along with it — is often the result.

Help for Dry Socket

It is important to contact Dr. Ford and Dr. Guter to get help for dry socket as soon as you think there may be a problem. We can help by cleaning the socket, extracting any debris that has gotten into the area, and packing the area with a medicated paste or gauze. This medicated dressing will need to be changed regularly to promote the fastest healing.

Dr. Ford and Dr. Guter may also give you a prescription for antibiotics that will assist in faster healing, if necessary. Generally, you can use ibuprofen or acetaminophen for pain relief.

Our bodies are marvels of self-healing. White blood cells fight infection. Osteoblast cells work to restore broken bones. Skin cells regenerate to repair small injuries daily. So naturally, some of the most exciting innovations in medicine are ways to help our bodies do their repair work more quickly and efficiently. The use of Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) in dental surgeries is one such innovation.

Refresh my memory on platelets?

Our blood has four primary components, which we normally think of in terms of these traditional biological functions:

• Red blood cells deliver oxygen to the cells throughout the body
• White blood cells protect against and fight infection
• Platelets promote blood clotting after an injury
• Plasma, the liquid component of blood, moves all of these cells, along with nutrients and other substances, throughout the body.

But, of course, the science of our blood is more complex than these blood basics, and platelets do much more than help us reduce bleeding after an injury.

In fact, platelets are not really cells, but cell fragments. They have no nucleus and live only five to nine days. Yet, they play a crucial role in the healing process.

Components of platelets called alpha granules contain growth factors. These growth factors are vital in wound healing. When the body suffers an injury, platelets are rushed to the site, where the numerous proteins present in various growth factors are released into the wound. There, they stimulate stem cells to produce new tissue. There is even a growth factor called bone morphogenetic protein which specifically mobilizes cells to produce new bone tissue.

At this point, you might be thinking, “Wait! No need to refresh my memory quite so thoroughly!” In that case, let’s look at how Dr. Ford and Dr. Guter can use a concentration of your own platelets to enhance the healing process after oral surgery.

It’s clear how important platelets are for dental patients: not only do they reduce bleeding, but they promote soft tissue healing and even bone regeneration. Moving more platelets to the surgical site would provide more growth factors to recovering cells more quickly, leading to accelerated healing and regeneration. This is the function of Platelet-Rich Plasma.

Creating PRP

After a small amount of your blood is collected, it is centrifuged in order to concentrate a large number of platelets in a small amount of plasma. This process takes only about 15 minutes, and can be done in our Virginia Beach, VA oral surgery office. It is then ready for immediate use, usually mixed with a bone grafting material.

Which oral surgeries can benefit from PRP?

Studies have shown beneficial results in bone regeneration and density, as well as accelerated soft tissue healing, when PRP is used in procedures such as:

• Dental implant surgery
• Sinus lifts
• Ridge augmentation
• Treating bone loss after tooth extraction
• Periodontal surgery

In fact, Dr. Ford and Dr. Guter might recommend PRP for any surgery where more rapid bone regeneration and enhanced soft tissue healing are desirable.

PRP is a safe addition to oral surgery procedures

The platelets are furnished by your own body, so there is no danger of rejection, reaction, or disease transmission. Aging patients, in particular, might benefit from the regenerative and healing properties of Platelet-Rich Plasma.

If you are planning on oral surgery in the near future, you’ve probably made a wish list: a skilled surgeon, the most effective surgical procedure for your needs, and a quick, healthy recovery.

By choosing an oral and maxillofacial surgeon, you have already made sure of the first two items on your list.

As for your recovery time? If you are scheduled for any surgery that would benefit from bone or tissue regeneration, ask Dr. Ford and Dr. Guter about Platelet-Rich Plasma therapy. Using your own platelets to accelerate healing? That’s a true marvel!

Whether it’s a broken tooth or injured gums, a dental emergency can interfere with eating, speaking, or other day-to-day activities. According to the American Dental Association , you can sometimes prevent dental emergencies like these by avoiding the use of your teeth as tools or by giving up hard foods and candies.

Even if you take excellent care of your mouth, however, unexpected dental problems can still arise. Our team at Oral Surgery of Tidewater is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to assess and resolve your individual situation. When an emergency arises, you should immediately make an appointment with our office so we can put you at ease, give you the best possible care, and help you return quickly to your regular routine.

Damaged Teeth

For tooth damage in particular, don’t hesitate to call and schedule an emergency dental appointment. You should come in as soon as possible. However, if you have some time before your appointment there are a few things you can do to avoid further injury. If you break your tooth, clean the area well by rinsing it with warm water. To ease any discomfort, put a cold compress against your skin near the area with the affected tooth.

A dislodged tooth should be handled carefully in order to keep it in the best possible condition. Gently rinse off the tooth without scrubbing it and try to place it back into the socket of your gums. If it won’t stay in your mouth, put the tooth in a container of milk and bring it along to your dental appointment.

Injured Soft Tissues

For other problems, such as bleeding gums or an injured tongue, cheek, or lip, the Cleveland Clinic recommends gently rinsing your mouth with salt water and applying pressure to the site with a moist strip of gauze or a tea bag. If you’re also experiencing some discomfort, you can put a cold compress on your cheek near the area of the bleeding. If the bleeding continues, don’t hesitate to contact our office so you can receive further help.

A dental emergency may catch you off guard, but Dr. Ford and Dr. Guter can provide fast, pain-free treatment. Follow the advice above and set up an appointment with us as soon as possible so you can put your teeth and mouth on the road to recovery.

Convertible or sedan? Downtown or suburbs? Electric or manual toothbrush? As life decisions go, it’s certainly not choosing your next car, or deciding where you want to live. But, even when you are selecting a toothbrush, it helps to make a list of the pros and cons of the contenders before you make that final selection.

• Efficiency

The most important factor in choosing a toothbrush is finding out which model works best to eliminate bacteria and plaque. And studies have shown that, used properly, both electric and manual toothbrushes do a great job of removing plaque. Some electric models can reach the backs of teeth and the gumline more easily, some manual head designs work better for your individual mouth and teeth, so your particular needs should dictate which style of toothbrush you use. Talk to us about the best methods to brush with your preferred toothbrush, and we’ll let you know if one type of toothbrush or the other might work better for you.

• Health Considerations

Brushing too energetically can actually harm teeth and gums, causing sensitivity and damage to the enamel and gum tissue. An electric toothbrush should provide a continuous brushing motion without needing any pressure from the brusher. This might be the model for you if you have a too-vigorous approach to brushing, or sensitive teeth and gums.

An electric toothbrush can also be more efficient for older and younger brushers, those with limited mobility, and those with health conditions or injuries that make brushing with a regular toothbrush more difficult.

• Cost

An electric toothbrush is not a one-time investment. You should change the removable head as often as you change your manual toothbrush (every three to four months, please). But this cost is offset if an electric toothbrush is more efficient in removing your plaque, easier to use, or even if you just prefer it to manual brushing. If you find that you brush better and more often with an electric toothbrush, the added expense is well worth it.

Whichever brush you decide on, the most important part of the brush is the person holding it! A regular appointment with your toothbrush for two minutes of thorough brushing in the morning and two in the evening, daily flossing, and regular visits to our office for checkups and cleanings will keep your teeth healthy and strong no matter which toothbrush you choose.

Questions about your toothbrush choices? Don’t hesitate to ask Dr. Ford and Dr. Guter at our Virginia Beach, VA office.