DRY SOCKET PAIN
INDOOROOPILLY EMERGENCY DENTIST
What is dry socket (Alveolar Osteitis)?
Dry socket is a common complication of tooth extraction. It can be a quiet painful experience, but it can be easily treated by your dentist. Usually, dry socket happens when the blood clot at the site of the tooth extraction fails to develop, or it dislodges or dissolves before the wound has healed. It leaves the bone exposed to air, food, and fluids. The blood clot limits the bleeding in the area after tooth extraction and lays a foundation for new bone and tissue in the area. Dry sockets can often delay the healing process.
How to identify dry socket?
Symptoms of dry socket
- Throbbing aching pain – If you are experiencing throbbing aching pain in the socket. Pain is normal after dental extraction and should start reducing after 24-48 hours. Dry socket pain develops within three days of tooth extraction but can occur any time.
- Bad Smell – Dry socket often produces bad smell in the mouth.
- Bad Taste – you may experience a bad taste in your mouth.
- Pain – Pain near the ear, eye, temple, and the neck
If you are experiencing any of the above symptoms, please see your dentist immediately.
What causes dry socket?
If a protective blood clot does not form in the tooth extraction site, there are higher chances of getting a dry socket.
- If you smoke or chew tobacco – smoking can affect the blood supply to the blood clot and the toxins in your cigarette can affect the healing process. It is more likely to increase your chances of developing a dry socket.
- If you don’t follow all the care instructions given to you by your dentist after dental extraction, can often cause problems like dry socket, infection and delayed healing. These instruction will include recovery and general guidelines for care.
- Some contraceptive pills contain high levels of estrogen which may disrupt the healing process.
- Poor oral hygiene can cause dry socket or infection.
Is dry socket common?
Dry socket is not very common, the percentage of people who develop a dry socket is rare (2%-5% people).
How to prevent a dry socket?
- Avoid Smoking – Avoid smoking or using tobacco products for few days as recommended by your dentist.
- Do Not Rinse Vigorously – Do not rinse you mouth excessively as it can interfere with natural clotting process.
- Do not use Straw – Avoid using straw as it can build pressure in your mouth, dislodging blood clot leading to dry socket.
- Eat and Chew food carefully – Try to eat and chew food on the other side of the mouth for few days to avoid injury.
- Rinse gently – Gently rinse your mouth with warm salty water after a day.
- Good oral hygiene – Brush your teeth gently around the dry socket area.
How to treat or diagnose dry socket?
- Your dentist will wash and dress your socket with medicated dressing as required. May be book a follow-up appointment to check the healing process.
- You can take pain medication as prescribed by the dentist.
- Always follow the recovery instructions given by your dentist. If any questions or concerns, call the dental practice straightaway.
- Gently rinsing your mouth with warm salty water as suggested by your dentist.
You should start feeling relief shortly after your dry socket treatment from your dentist. Your symptoms should be gone within few hours. If you are still experiencing pain or discomfort after 1-2 days, please see the dentist asap.
Our team at Heritage Dental Group Indooroopilly always encourage our patients to contact us immediately if they are in doubt or have any concerns after the tooth extraction. Please contact our team on 38783384.
WE PROMISE, ‘A GENTLE CARING DENTAL EXPERIENCE.’