After a tooth extraction, the body creates inflammation. This causes mild swelling around the affected area. Platelets in the blood clump together to form a clot, which protects the wound by sealing it. If this clot disintegrates, becomes dislodged, or does not form, the empty tooth socket is unprotected. This increases the risk of intense pain due to the exposed nerves in the socket.
Treatment for a dry socket focuses on reducing pain. The American Dental Association advise going returning to the dentist to manage symptoms. A dentist will first flush out the socket with a medicated mouthwash or saline.
Then, they will fill in the socket with a medicated dressing to control the pain. Depending on how long the pain lasts, people may need to change this dressing after a couple of days. Adults can also take nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs , such as ibuprofen Advil. In most cases, the pain of dry socket improves within 24—72 hours , according to the Canadian Dental Association.
In some people, the pain may last up to 7 days. However, prompt treatment can reduce the pain faster. If the socket dressing is not effective, or the pain persists for longer than a few days, a dentist may reevaluate to see if another condition is responsible for the pain. For most people, the main symptom of dry socket is severe pain. However, pain tolerance and perceptions differ from person to person.
Your dental care team may recommend an antibiotic rinse to help promote healing. You need to follow all care instructions meticulously to help promote healing and avoid further complications. Dry socket is nothing to trifle with. If you have to have a tooth removed, be sure to follow care instructions, avoid tobacco, skip the straw, and give yourself time to heal completely.
Dry socket can arise at any point until the gum has healed, so keep all follow-up appointments and reach out for help if you experience any worrisome symptoms. Username or Email Address. Sign Up for an Account. You have requested to view the site. Call your doctor if:. If you think you have a dry socket, schedule an appointment with your dentist. Your doctor can help you best deal with the issue.
After your tooth extraction, follow the care instructions by your dentist , avoid smoking or drinking from the straw, and rest as much as you can. Automated page speed optimizations for fast site performance. Aug 15, What is a Dry Socket? If your gum tissue is swollen or infected before the tooth extraction, the chances of dry socket increase. Smoking creates a suction motion that can dislodge the blood clot, leading to a dry socket.
Chewing tobacco can expose the empty socket to bacteria that can cause infections. Over-the-counter medications alone won't be enough to treat dry socket pain. Your dentist or oral surgeon can offer treatments to relieve your pain. A certain degree of pain and discomfort is normal after a tooth extraction.
However, you should be able to manage normal pain with the pain reliever prescribed by your dentist or oral surgeon, and the pain should lessen with time. If you develop new or worsening pain in the days after your tooth extraction, contact your dentist or oral surgeon immediately. The precise cause of dry socket remains the subject of study.
Researchers suspect that certain issues may be involved, such as:. Painful, dry socket rarely results in infection or serious complications. However, potential complications may include delayed healing of or infection in the socket or progression to chronic bone infection osteomyelitis.
Your dentist or oral surgeon will take a number of steps to ensure proper healing of the socket and to prevent dry socket. These steps may include recommending one or more of these medications, which may help prevent dry socket:. You'll receive instructions about what to expect during the healing process after a tooth extraction and how to care for the wound. Proper at-home care after a tooth extraction helps promote healing and prevent damage to the wound.
These instructions will likely address the following issues, which can help prevent dry socket:. Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission.
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