5 days post-op wisdom tooth extraction. healing perfectly, dentist said i'm doing great. how to keep food out of the hole/stitches without irrigation syringe. syringe may cause dry socket he said.

Thorough rinsing: By this time there should be a sufficient base of clot in the socket so thorough rinsing after meals and snacks is usually sufficient to keep the socket clean enough. For the next week try to eat as much as possible on the other side and avoid hard crumbly foods that might more easily get stuck or irritate the socket. You should be fine.

Rinse mouth: You can rinse your mouth each time you eat. When i had mine removed, i never had to use syringe to remove food. Of course, to minimize the discomfort, try to chew on the healthy side more until it heals.

Dry socket: After five days you are pretty much out of the danger zone for a dry socket as long as you do not forcefully blast the area with the syringe. You can gently swish water around your mouth to clear the food from extraction sites. Using salt water will help to get rid of bacteria on stiching material, and it will promote angiogenesis or the formation of new blood vessels which will speed healing.

Should be fine.: We give patients a syringe with instructions to use starting 7 days after surgery. Vigorous rinsing will help and try to chew more towards our front teeth.

Warm salt water : 5 days post surgery you should be fine to rinse with warm salt 4 - 5 times daily to help get the food particles out of the extraction sites until your dentist gives the ok to use an irrigating syringe. You may even want to ask your dentist to give you a prescription mouth wash - peridex (chlorhexidine gluconate). Also gently brush the areas around the extraction sites as well, but if you feel good now, you're fine!

Dry Socket: By this time you should be OK to use the syringe to rinse with. Getting a dry socket after 5 days would be very unusual. Try rinsing after each meal with warm salt water and this will alleviate your concerns