What is a Dry Socket? Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment

Having your natural tooth removed is a challenging experience. Most people are worried about experiencing significant pain, swelling, and bleeding once the tooth is extracted. Even worse, about 2-5% of people develop a dry socket known as alveolar osteitis. While easily treatable, a dry socket can be quite uncomfortable and often results in intense and severe pain. Please keep reading to learn what a dry socket is and how to treat it.

What is a Dry Socket?

The tooth socket is the hole in the bone left after tooth extraction. After removing a tooth, a blood clot forms in the socket to protect the nerves and bone underneath. A dry socket occurs when a clot doesn’t form or dislodges before the socket heals.

The bone and nerves are exposed to air, fluid, foods, bacteria, and other external factors. If not treated promptly, a dry socket can lead to severe pain and infection in the socket and significantly delay healing in the extraction site.

Risk Factors for Dry Socket

While anyone can develop a dry socket, some factors can increase your risk of developing one. These include:

• Being a woman (may be due to estrogen-the hormone can dissolve blood clots)
• Removing a tooth on the lower jaw
• Poor oral hygiene
• Smoking and alcohol consumption
• Removing a wisdom tooth
• Use of oral contraceptives
• Extreme trauma during extraction
• A history of dry socket
• Sucking or rinsing or spitting harshly
• Vigorous physical activity like heavy lifting

Symptoms of Dry Sockets

After the blood clot has formed, the socket should have a dark appearance, and you should feel only minimal discomfort. However, if you see a whitish-dry opening in the extraction site, you may have a dry socket. Severe pain develops after about two days and worsens over time. Sometimes the pain can radiate to the head, ear, or neck. Other symptoms can include:

• Bad breath or taste
• Tenderness in the extraction site
• Slight fever
• Swelling
• Pus from the extraction site

See your dentist immediately if you suspect that you may have a dry socket. The dentist can confirm the diagnosis by looking at the extraction site. In some cases, the dentist can take dental x-rays.

How to Treat a Dry Socket

You must see a dentist right away if you have a dry socket. In the meantime, you can try the following remedies to minimize pain and promote healing:

• Take pain and anti-inflammatory medications.
• Avoid tobacco products and alcohol.
• Drink plenty of water to keep hydrated.
• Rinse with warm salt water.
• Brush gently while avoiding the extraction site.
• Avoid hot, acidic, and spicy foods. Chew carefully while avoiding the extraction site.
• Avoid sucking, spitting, or rinsing vigorously.
• Place a soft medicated gauze in the socket.
• Apply ice to the cheek to reduce pain and swelling.

While sometimes a dry socket can heal independently, seeing a dentist is best to ease the pain and prevent infections and other complications. The dentist often cleans the socket and fills it with a medicated paste or dressing to alleviate pain and promote a faster healing process of tooth extraction.

The dentist near you can schedule follow-up appointments for dressing changes and provide oral care after tooth extraction. You might also get some medication to ease the discomfort and prevent infections. After treatment, pain and other symptoms often improve and fade away within a few days. If you’re looking for tooth extractions near you, visit our office.

How to Prevent Dry Socket After Tooth Removal

In most cases, you can prevent a dry socket. Keep in mind the following tooth extraction recovery tips:

• Rest adequately: Avoid strenuous physical activities like heavy lifting or exercising.
• Keep your head elevated when lying down.
• Avoid tobacco and alcohol.
• Consult your dentist about taking birth control pills and other medications that can affect normal blood clotting.
• Drink enough to stay hydrated.
• Avoid rinsing, sucking, or spitting.
• Avoid very hot or cold items.
• Take medication as directed by your dentist.
• Use a cold compress to ease pain and swelling.
• Eat soft and cool foods.
• Wait until the anesthetic wears off to eat or drink anything.

Are You Interested in Tooth Extractions in Lexington, MA?

For more information about tooth extractions and managing pain after a tooth extraction, contact and book a dentist appointment at Lexington Dental Group to book your appointment today.