Normally, a blood clot forms at the site of a tooth extraction. This blood clot serves as a protective layer over the underlying bone and nerve endings in the empty tooth socket. The clot also provides the foundation for the growth of new bone and for the development of soft tissue over the clot.

Exposure of the underlying bone and nerves results in intense pain, not only in the socket but also along the nerves radiating to the side of your face. The socket becomes inflamed and may fill with food debris, adding to the pain. If you develop dry socket, the pain usually begins one to three days after your tooth is removed.

Risk factors

Factors that can increase your risk of developing dry socket include:

• Smoking and tobacco use. Chemicals in cigarettes or other forms of tobacco may prevent or slow healing and contaminate the wound site. The act of sucking on a cigarette may physically dislodge the blood clot prematurely.
• Oral contraceptives. High estrogen levels from oral contraceptives may disrupt normal healing processes and increase the risk of dry socket.
• Improper at-home care. Failure to follow home-care guidelines and poor oral hygiene may increase the risk of dry socket.
• Having dry socket in the past. If you’ve had dry socket in the past, you’re more likely to develop it after another extraction.
• Tooth or gum infection. Current or previous infections around the extracted tooth increase the risk of dry socket.

Symptoms

Factors that can increase your risk of developing dry socket include:

• Severe pain within a few days after a tooth extraction
• Partial or total loss of the blood clot at the tooth extraction site, which you may notice as an empty-looking (dry) socket
• Visible bone in the socket
• Pain that radiates from the socket to your ear, eye, temple or neck on the same side of your face as the extraction

When to see a dentist

If you develop new or worsening pain in the days after your tooth extraction, contact your dentist or oral surgeon immediately.

What your dentist may do

Your dentist 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:

• Antibacterial mouthwashes or gels immediately before and after surgery
• Oral antibiotics, particularly if you have a compromised immune system
• Antiseptic solutions applied to the wound
• Medicated dressings applied after surgery

What you can do after surgery

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:

Activity – After your surgery, plan to rest for the remainder of the day. Follow your dentist’s recommendations about when to resume normal activities and how long to avoid rigorous exercise and sports that might result in dislodging the blood clot in the socket.

Pain management – Put cold packs on the outside of your face on the first day after extraction and warm packs after that, to help decrease pain and swelling. Follow your dentist’s instructions on applying cold or heat to your face. Take pain medications as prescribed.

Beverages – Drink lots of water after the surgery. Avoid alcoholic, caffeinated, carbonated or hot beverages for as long as your dentist recommends. Don’t drink with a straw for at least a week because the sucking action may dislodge the blood clot in the socket.

Food – Eat only soft foods, such as yogurt or applesauce, for the first day. Be careful with hot and cold liquids or biting your cheek until the anaesthesia wears off. Start eating semi-soft foods when you can tolerate them. Avoid chewing on the surgery side of your mouth.

Cleaning your mouth – After surgery, you may gently rinse your mouth and brush your teeth, but avoid the extraction site for the first 24 hours. After the first 24 hours, gently rinse your mouth with warm salt several times a day for a week after your surgery. Mix 1/2 teaspoon of table salt in a glass of water. Follow the instructions of your dentist or oral surgeon.

Tobacco use – If you smoke or use tobacco, don’t do so for at least 48 hours after surgery and as long as you can after that. Any use of tobacco products after oral surgery can delay healing and increase the risk of complications.

For more information on dry socket, or if you would like to talk to our friendly dentists in Wagga Wagga, please call us on 69219500!

Disclaimer: Keep in mind that each patient is unique and your results may vary. Photos in our online gallery are of actual patients of our practice who have provided consent to display their pictures online. Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.