How to Remove Food Debris from a Recently Extracted Wisdom Tooth Socket

After a wisdom tooth is removed, large cavities may remain in the gums and bone beneath. These cavities are where the tooth's roots once were, and sometimes the holes can be quite large. Most surgeons will use stitches to close up the socket, but in some cases, the socket may be left open, which could lead to complications. Food particles often get trapped in these wisdom tooth sockets, and simply rinsing with salt water may not be sufficient to clean it. Learning how to properly clean and care for the wound in the gums can help prevent infections and complications during the healing process.

Ask if the surgeon stitched up the wound. If the wound is closed with stitches, food won't be able to enter the socket. You may notice small grey, black, blue, green, or yellow particles near the socket. This is a normal discoloration and part of the healing process.

Avoid touching the wound. It's important to brush your teeth and floss, but be sure to steer clear of the teeth near the wound.

Gently rinse with saltwater for the first 48 hours. You can start rinsing as early as the first day, but be cautious.

• Mix 1/4 teaspoon of salt with a cup of warm water. Stir thoroughly until the salt dissolves completely.
• Avoid vigorously swishing or spitting out the saltwater. Gently shake your head or use your tongue to move the saltwater around your mouth.
• After holding the saltwater, lean over the sink and open your mouth to let the saltwater drain out instead of spitting it out.
• Your doctor may provide you with a chlorhexidine gluconate solution (Peridex, Periogard) for rinsing. This antiseptic kills bacteria. You may dilute the solution with water in a 1:1 ratio to reduce any negative effects of chlorhexidine.

Do not use your fingers or any tools to remove food particles. Avoid poking the socket with your tongue as well. This could introduce bacteria into the wound and disrupt the healing tissue. Stick to saltwater to remove food debris.

Avoid smoking and using straws. Any suction movements in your mouth could dislodge blood clots, leaving the socket dry and painful, increasing the risk of infection.

Prepare saltwater for rinsing. Rinsing with saltwater is an effective method to clean the wound in your mouth, remove food debris, and alleviate pain and swelling.

• Mix 1/4 teaspoon of salt with 240 ml of water.
• Stir thoroughly until the salt completely dissolves.

Gently rinse with saltwater until the solution is used up. Focus on the area that needs treatment in your mouth to improve food particle removal and reduce inflammation.

Repeat this process every two hours and after each meal. Be sure to rinse thoroughly before going to bed. This will help reduce swelling and keep the wound clean for proper healing.

Use a syringe if instructed. Using a syringe can help you control the flow of water, allowing for more effective cleaning of the wound. However, if not used properly, the syringe technique could dislodge the blood clot that aids in tissue healing. Ask your dentist if using a syringe is suitable for you.

• Fill the syringe with warm water, or use the saltwater solution described above.
• Position the syringe tip as close to the wound as possible without touching it.
• Gently squirt the water into the wound from the necessary angles to clean it thoroughly and prevent infection. Do not use excessive pressure – strong streams of water can harm the socket.

Stay calm. Having food stuck in the socket of your wisdom tooth can be uncomfortable, but this alone won't lead to an infection. The wound can still heal even if food gets lodged in the socket. What's crucial is to avoid touching or disturbing the wound.

Don't mistake blood clots for food particles. The blood clots in your gums usually appear gray and may have a fibrous texture similar to food. Cleaning too aggressively in this situation can dislodge the clot and cause complications.

Eat soft foods. This is especially important during the first 24 hours after surgery. Gradually switch from soft foods to slightly firmer ones as the wound heals. In general, you should avoid hard, chewy, crunchy, and spicy foods, as they can fall into the socket and cause irritation or infection.

• Chew on the side opposite the tooth that was extracted.
• Avoid foods that are too hot or too cold. Stick to cooler foods during the first two days.

Avoid contamination sources and wash your hands frequently with soap and water. Refrain from shaking hands with others for about a week. Do not share your toothbrush or other personal items. It's important to prevent any secondary infection that could strain your immune system.

Know when to seek medical attention. Bleeding within the first few days after a tooth extraction is common. However, you should contact your dentist or surgeon immediately if any of the following symptoms occur:

• Excessive bleeding (more than slow oozing)
• Pus in the wound
• Difficulty swallowing or breathing
• Fever
• Swelling increases after two or three days
• Blood or pus in nasal discharge
• Sharp, throbbing pain or lingering discomfort after 48 hours
• Bad breath after three days
• Pain that persists despite pain medication

• Carefully rinse each socket by spraying for a few extra seconds to ensure all food particles are removed. The sockets may be deeper than you expect.
• You can replace the syringe with a spray bottle and switch the nozzle to direct the spray straight into the socket.
• This method is particularly helpful when the wisdom tooth hasn't erupted and requires an incision to be removed, but it can also be useful in other extraction scenarios.

• Only use this method if you can comfortably open your mouth.
• Do not use this method as a substitute for any procedure prescribed by your surgeon. Follow your surgeon's advice and contact them if any complications arise.
• If you experience pain while cleaning the socket, consult your surgeon before continuing the procedure.
• Ensure that all cleaning tools are sterile and for single use only.

• Warm water
• Salt
• Syringe (sterile)