Are you suffering from a dry socket?

A socket is basically a hole in the bone where a tooth has been pulled. Once the tooth has been extracted, a clot of blood forms in the socket to secure the nerves and the bone underneath. Unfortunately, sometimes this blood clot may dissolve or dislodge a few days after the extraction. This leaves the nerve and bone exposed to food, air, fluid, and everything else that comes in contact with the mouth. This may lead to infection or severe pain that may last for a week.

About 2% to 5% of the patients who undergo extraction develop a dry socket. The problem can be very uncomfortable for those who suffer from it. Fortunately, dry socket is easily treatable.

Symptoms of a dry socket:

Some patients who suffer from a dry socket experience pain that travels from the neck to the ear or eye to side of the face where the extraction was done. Apart from this, some people with a dry socket also suffer from swollen lymph nodes or slight fevers. Even though the exact reason of a dry socket is unknown, experts suspect that small bone particles in the wound area could be a cause. Contamination of dental socket by bacteria or bone or tissue trauma from a complex tooth removal procedure may all cause a dry socket.

Anti-inflammatory drugs help to ease the pain. When ibuprofen or aspirin does not alleviate the discomfort, some affordable dental care providers may numb the area or advise stronger pain medicines.

Treatment:

A dry socket is normally treated by an oral surgeon or a dental expert, who places medicated gauze within the socket and recommends an antibiotic. The expert may also recommend consuming pain medication.

The problem can be prevented by not using straws or smoking, and avoiding activities such as rinsing the mouth for a minimum of 24 hours. In addition, it is important to change the gauze regularly.

Female patients are more prone to dry sockets. Women who use birth control pills are susceptible to dry sockets, a condition connected to the estrogen in these pills. Those under birth control pills must schedule dental extractions during last days of their periods, as there is less likelihood of such problem during that time.

How to prevent dry sockets?

Preventing dry socket requires good dental hygiene and awareness. Patients with wisdom tooth extraction should not touch the wound, consume carbonated beverages, or smoke for 2 days after the dental treatment.