Dry socket

Dry socket is a painful dental condition that occurs after tooth extraction, particularly wisdom teeth. The condition occurs when the blood clot that normally forms after extraction is lost too early, exposing the bone and nerves. This can lead to intense pain not only in the socket but also along the nerves radiating to the side of your face.

Causes

The precise cause of dry socket remains the subject of study. However, researchers believe that the following factors may increase the risk of developing dry socket:

• Bacterial contamination of the socket
• Trauma at the surgical site, including a difficult or traumatic tooth extraction
• Previous history of dry socket
• Use of medications, such as oral contraceptives, that can interfere with clotting

Symptoms

The most common symptoms of dry socket include:

• Severe pain within a few days after a tooth extraction
• Partial or total loss of the blood clot at the tooth extraction site, which you may notice as an empty-looking (dry) socket
• Visible bone in the socket
• Pain that radiates from the socket to your ear, eye, temple or neck on the same side of your face as the extraction
• Bad breath or a foul odor coming from your mouth
• Unpleasant taste in your mouth

Treatment

Treatment for dry socket focuses on reducing symptoms, particularly pain. This may include:

• Flushing out the socket to remove any food particles or other debris that may contribute to pain or infection
• Medicated dressings, which may provide relatively fast pain relief
• Pain medications, either over-the-counter or prescription
• Self-care, such as warm salt water rinses and proper oral hygiene

Prevention

Prevention strategies can significantly reduce the risk of developing dry socket. These include:

• Avoiding smoking or tobacco use, which can interfere with healing
• Following post-extraction instructions, including proper oral hygiene and avoiding disturbing the extraction site
• Using an antimicrobial mouth rinse or gel immediately before and after surgery

See also

• Tooth extraction
• Oral hygiene
• Dental surgery

Dry socket Resources
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