Your surgeon will provide you with post-operative instructions. You will be advised to eat soft foods for a few days and clean out the extraction site after each meal. A syringe will be provided for you to fill with water and flush out any food particles stuck at the extraction site. This is the best way to prevent alveolar osteitis, also known as a dry socket. Blood clots form when a tooth is removed from a healthy socket, and the healing process begins. Dry sockets happen when the healing process is hindered in some way. You may have developed a dry socket if you notice any extreme pain or sensitivity after your procedure. This condition requires immediate treatment by your dentist.