After we wrap up your tooth extraction, we’ll provide you with thorough aftercare instructions to ensure you make a complete recovery. If you experience pain or discomfort following tooth extraction, the odds are good that the culprit is dry socket. While dry socket can be painful and lead to a lengthier recovery period, our team can provide the help you need. As always, if you have concerns or if you’re experiencing pain, please don’t hesitate to contact us right away; we’re here to help!
What Is Dry Socket?
Dry socket is a common complication following tooth extraction surgeries. While any type of tooth extraction can lead to dry socket, it most often occurs in lower jaw wisdom tooth extractions. After a tooth is removed, the area should form a blood clot as it heals. When this clot is disturbed or lost, or if it doesn’t form, it can significantly impede the healing process and cause severe pain. When a clot is in place, the nerve and bone below the gum line are protected – without the clot, the exposed nerve will cause intense pain.
Causes & Risk Factors for Dry Socket
Some of the most common risk factors for developing dry socket include:
- Tobacco usage, including both cigarettes and chewing tobacco.
- Poor aftercare and oral hygiene following the procedure.
- Infection of the gums (periodontal disease) or supportive bone surrounding the extraction site.
- Having had a dry socket in the past.
- Not seeking treatment for swelling or serious inflammation following the extraction.
- Using a straw, rinsing, spitting, or smoking too soon after the extraction.
Signs & Symptoms of Dry Socket
In several cases, dry socket develops two to four days after the tooth extraction, and the first symptom is usually pain. Other signs to keep an eye out for include:
- After the blood clot is disrupted, the underlying bone and nerve tissue are exposed, which is what causes intense pain and temperature sensitivity. Some pain is normal, but lingering or increasing pain can indicate dry socket. Severe facial swelling may also occur.
- Sometimes the jawbone can be seen with the naked eye after dry socket forms. You might also simply see an opening in the soft tissue.
- Patients may also note bad breath with a foul smell concentrated in the surgical area, as well as a bad taste in the mouth.
Preventing Dry Socket
Be sure to follow any instructions that we give you following your oral surgery. However, a few additional tips you can keep in mind to reduce your risk of dry socket include:
- Avoid using drinking straws as they can dislodge your blood clot(s).
- Do not smoke or use tobacco products.
- Stick to a diet consisting of soft foods and liquids.
- You may have to wait a day or so before brushing; when you do resume, be extremely careful around the affected area.
Treatment for Dry Socket
If you’re unable to prevent dry socket, don’t fret – while it won’t go away on its own, our team can help! Standard treatment for dry socket involves washing out the socket with a saline solution that removes food particles and bacterial buildup. From there, we can place a special dressing to protect the socket and soothe the pain in the affected area. Pain medications might also be prescribed, as well as a medicated mouth rinse. If all goes well, you can expect to recover from dry socket in about a week or so.
