(This phrase acts like a noun. It is the direct object of the verb stopped. This phrase is a gerund phrase.) I stopped believing in Santa Claus when my mother took me to see him in a department store, and he asked for my autograph. (This phrase acts like a noun. It is the subject of the adverbial clause when my mother took me to see him in a department store.) I stopped believing in Santa Claus when my mother took me to see him in a department store, and he asked for my autograph.  It is the object of the preposition for.)
I recently had a tooth extraction on tooth #31. ...I developed a blood clot that currently has a whitish in color appearance. ...Isn't a dry socket a painful condition caused when you lose your blood clot....
The blood clot that forms after tooth extraction is essential for optimal healing of the underlying tissue. Destruction or loss of the blood clot prevents normal healing and causes alveolar osteitis. There are a variety of reasons why the initial blood clot could be lost or destroyed prematurely.