When should I remove my dressing after extraction?

Question

Hello doctor,

I had a tooth extracted yesterday from the upper right side. Last night the blood clot fell out, so I was worried about getting a dry socket. I went back to the dentist this morning, and he said I did not have a dry socket and packed it with a nasty tasting dressing. I do not know what it is, so am I supposed to remove it after a while?

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

1. The dressing packed in the socket should be a medicated one containing Zinc oxide eugenol.

2. This has to be wisely removed by the dentist in three days. And by fact, it is the dressing placed for dry sockets.

3. I advise you to continue with the antibiotics and pain killers if prescribed and revisit the dentist to get the medicated cotton pellet removed. This is also to ensure that the socket is healing well. Meanwhile, if the cotton pellet gets removed with your routine oral hygiene procedures, please do not worry. You will be completely alright.

4. Also, please follow the post-extraction instructions as well.