I'm having my wisdom teeth taken out Friday, how can I keep from getting a dry-socket?

http://www.calweb.com/~goldman/dry_sockets.html
Go to this site.It will tell you most of what you need to know about it. I am going to have mine pulled also.

hmmm.....when you have your wisdom teeth removed - - does that make you less smart?

Seriously though....the main thing that they do in order to prevent dry socket is to pack the "hole(s)" after they are removed. The reason why dry socket occurs is because the blood clot either hasn't had the chance to form or is washed away. So - when you do remove the packing, just be careful not to pull hard - if it doesn't seem to want to come out - don't force it. Also - when you begin washing the area (they'll usually give you a plastic syringe to clean the area with) - - just don't swish it too hard.

Very few patients actually get dry socket - I think I read the percentage is less than 20% with the majority forming on the lower teeth, not the upper. Also - if you are on birth control, it tends to up the chance of developing it - something to do with the levels of estrogen...

Good luck - - it's not as bad as it sounds...I had mine out (just the top - - I didn't even have bottom wisdom teeth - does that make me a half-wit??)..anyway - - I didn't get the bruising, puffiness or anything - so hopefull yours will be as uneventful as mine...

Thanks for the advice! And for the dry-socket info. When my bro had them done, he was ready to go out that same night! So hopefully mine won't be too bad. The doc said this was the best time for me to get them done b/c they're not all that attatched, the roots haven't formed completely..sooo...pray for me!

To help prevent dry socket do not smoke and do not drink from a straw.

Oh and BTW... your gonna look like a chipmunk for about a week. Your face swells up when you get your wisdom teeth out.

I had mine pulled when I was 22. I didn't have much really bad pain, and my face did not swell up. I had 2 done at a time.
My dentist told me in order to prevent dry sockets, not to drink alcohol for 24-48 hours. And if I had any bleeding, to apply a tea bag. And be careful about things with seeds, including buns, until the holes heal up.

See how purty I look now?

When I was young I had all 4 of mine pulled with a local. They were going to put me asleep but they changed their mines when they found out I had asthma. I had no problems at all. I remember no drinking from a straw because it causes you to purse you mouth and it could make you bleed. I was better the next day. Good Luck1