(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....
This usually occurs within the first few hours or first few days after a tooth extraction. If you see blood whenever you spit out saliva, it is a pretty strong indication that the blood clot has fallen out of the tooth socket.