“Doctor, how do I know I have dry socket?”

• The discomfort is a distinct pulsatile throbbing or deep ache
• It occurs 3-5 days after an extraction
• It occurs on lower teeth
• It does not permit the patient to sleep or get rest for more than 1-2 hours
• Pain medication will not help with the discomfort!
• Patients who smoke or take birth control medications are at significant higher risk for “dry socket”.

If you think you have a dry socket, please call the office to be seen.

“Doctor, since I’ve been home from my procedure, I have been really nauseous.  What do I do?”
Many factors contribute to post anesthesia nausea.  Some of these are:

• An empty stomach (most stomachs are empty for 6 hours prior to the procedure!)
• Swallowing too much blood
• Medications such as antibiotics or pain medications
• The Intravenous anesthesia medications 
• Eating/drinking too much too quickly after your procedure

You can help reduce the incidence of post anesthesia nausea by:

• Starting to drink modest amounts of clear fluids soon after your procedure.  Continue to sip clear fluids even if you have episodes of vomiting
• do not take pain medications or antibiotics on an empty stomach
• slowly increase your diet to include modest amounts of soft foods 2-4 hours after your procedure
• do not engage in physical activity more than walking and relaxing in the first 12 hours after your procedure
• do not drive for 24 hours after your procedure and ride in a vehicle as little as possible to avoid motion sickness

If you cannot hold down clear liquids for more than 8 hours please call the office.