Only a very small percentage about 2 to 5% of people develop a dry socket after a tooth extraction. The dry socket can be quite uncomfortable but it is easily treatable. The socket is the hole in the bone from where the tooth has been extracted. After the tooth is pulled out, a blood clot forms in the socket to protect the bone and tissues underneath. Sometimes that clot can become dislodged or dissolve a couple of days after the extraction. This leaves the denuded bone exposed to the fluids and anything else that enters the mouth. This can lead to infection and severe pain that can last for a week or so.
Who is likely to get a dry socket?
Some people may be more likely to get a dry socket after the extraction for example
- 1. People who smoke
- 2. Have poor oral hygiene
- 3. Have lower wisdom teeth pulled out.
- 4. Maybe had a difficult extraction than usual
- 5. Use birth control pills
- 6. Have a previous history of dry socket
- 7. Sometimes rinsing and spitting a lot or drinking through a straw after the tooth extraction can also raise your risk of getting a dry socket
Symptoms Of a dry socket
If you look into the site where the tooth was pulled you will see a dry looking opening.
Instead of the blood clot you will see whitish grayish slough/or denuded bone.
The pain typically starts about 2 to 3 days after the tooth extraction.
Over time it may become severe and can radiate to your ear. Other symptoms may include bad breath and an unpleasant smell and taste in your mouth.
How is dry socket treated.
You can take painkillers/anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen. To ease the discomfort sometimes these over the counter medications aren’t enough to relieve the pain, in that case a stronger drug will be prescribed to you.
We may prescribe antibiotics to prevent the socket from becoming infected.
To care for the dry socket at home you may be recommended to rinse with salt water everyday.
Sometimes we will need to clean the tooth socket removing any debris from the hole and then fill the socket with a medicated dressing or a special paste to promote healing.
