Your dental problems do not end after tooth extractions. Sometimes, if the blood clot becomes dislodged, you can find yourself dealing with a dry socket. This painful condition can delay your recovery and give way to complications. Therefore, it is important to be familiar with the dry socket symptoms.
In this blog, we will mention how to know if you have a dry socket and what to do about it. If you notice the signs of a dry socket, do not hesitate to consult your dentist.
What is a Dry Socket?
A number of complications can arise after tooth extraction, and a dry socket is one of them. To put it simply: the healing process inside the empty hole is delayed due to dislodged blood clots. For safe recovery, you have to ensure that the blood clot forms inside the socket. However, factors such as drinking from a straw, brushing, and more can disturb the blood clot. As a result, there is a hollow socket with bone exposure left behind.
If you develop a dry socket, it can allow food particles and bacteria to build up inside, which could hinder the formation of a new clot. Usually, symptoms become better after three days of tooth extraction. In case a dry socket forms, however, you might start to notice more prominent signs and discomfort.
Dry Socket Symptoms
A few indications will help you know if you have a dry socket. Therefore, keep an eye out for dry socket symptoms and visit your oral surgeon immediately if they occur. Here is how to tell if you have a dry socket:
- You will experience severe pain in a few days following tooth extraction.
- The tooth socket would start looking empty, which results from partial or total loss of the blood clot.
- You can clearly spot the bone in the empty tooth socket.
- Pain will radiate from the socket to the same side of your face where the extraction was performed. Hence, you may feel pain in your ear, eye, neck, or even temple.
- You will notice a bad taste in your mouth.
- A bad odor on your breath will lead to an unpleasant smell in your mouth.
If you experience these dry socket symptoms after your tooth extraction procedure, you will need to see a dentist right away for prompt treatment.
Dry Socket Treatment
Your dentist will know how to get rid of a dry socket. The treatment will depend on the severity and condition of your dry socket. Therefore, the treatment could include oral antibiotics, pain reliever medications, and a locally placed medication that is placed inside the dry socket. Moreover, you will need to follow proper aftercare instructions and give yourself time to recover.
With proper care, your dry socket will go away within 10 to 14 days. However, only a dental specialist can treat dry sockets. This is why you should not ignore the signs of a dry socket.
What’s Next?
If you recently had a tooth extraction procedure, you will need to follow the aftercare instructions to avoid problems such as dry sockets. A few signs of a dry socket will let you know if you have developed it — visit your dentist if you suspect a dry socket. Our Hermosa Dental team is always available for more information. Schedule an appointment at:
- (713) 695-3400 — E. Little York
- (832) 427-1797 — Highway 6
- (281) 747-7004 — Porter
- (832) 328-5651 — Tomball