Safest Teeth Whiteners
The safest ways to whiten your teeth explained
In this article
A dry socket (alveolar osteitis) is a painful condition that can develop after a tooth extraction. This is a common complication that occurs after wisdom tooth removal.
After tooth extraction, a blood clot forms to allow for proper healing. The blood clot creates a protective layer over the nerve endings and bone under the removed tooth. It also forms a base for new bone and soft tissue to grow around.
However, when this blood clot dislodges or forms incorrectly, the bone and nerves become exposed. As a result, you will experience intense pain and inflammation inside the socket.
Dry sockets usually form when:
Risk factors associated with dry sockets include:
If you develop a dry socket, visit your dentist as soon as possible for treatment. Your dentist will clean out the socket, speeding up the healing process. Antibiotics are only prescribed when there is a verifiable infection at the surgery site.
Dry socket treatment consists of five steps, including:
First, your dentist or oral surgeon will numb you. They will then clean out the dry socket and flush out any food, debris, and bacteria around the extraction site. Lastly, they will curette the site to help a blood clot form.
They will fill the socket with a medicated dressing or special paste. This provides additional pain relief.
If you have a non-resorbable dressing placed, you may need to visit your dentist regularly. They will change it out for you during the healing process.
Post-surgery, your dentist may prescribe antibiotics, pain medications, and/or solutions to irrigate the site to assist with healing. You can also take over-the-counter pain relievers, such as Ibuprofen.
Rinse your mouth with salt water a few times daily to flush out bacteria and food particles. Most mouthwashes are too harsh for extraction sites and contain alcohol, which increases the risk of dry socket formation.
Call your dentist immediately if the pain does not improve with pain relievers or you develop swelling or pus in the area. This can be a sign of a more serious infection.
If you experience any of the following symptoms a few days after a tooth extraction, you likely have a dry socket:
Here are some ways to prevent dry sockets:
If a dry socket is not treated immediately, it can lead to the following:
Another serious complication of dry sockets is osteomyelitis. This is a chronic bone infection that may require surgical intervention. It is caused by infection spreading to the bone.
Dry sockets can result from different causes, including trauma, poor oral hygiene, smoking, and other medication.
It's important to treat this condition early to prevent complications. You should also follow your doctor's advice regarding post-extraction care to prevent a dry socket.
In this article