After a tooth is pulled out (extraction) from the bone, a blood clot typically forms.  As with any other scar on the body, the blood clot is the first step to healing and serves as a framework for the replacement tissue (bone, etc).  But sometimes, this blood clot can be removed too early!  This condition, called alveolar osteitis, significantly delays healing and be an uncomfortable and painful condition.

Dry socket occurs in about 1-3% of extractions and 25-30% of surgical extractions (used if you had an impacted tooth).

Signs of Dry Socket

Most symptoms for dry socket occur a couple of days after the extraction and can last for up to 40 days if not treated.

Symptoms include:

• Severe pain in the area of the extraction
• Dull, aching pain that radiates to the ear
• Swelling around the tissues in the area
• Foul mouth odor (bad breath)
• Foul taste
• Swollen lymph nodes (only happens occasionally)

Causes of Dry Socket

• Most often unpredictable and not related to a specific cause
• Excessive trauma during the extraction
• Patients on birth control have a higher chance of dry socket
  • If you are on birth control, it’s best to have an extraction performed between days 23 to 28 of your menstrual cycle (days without estrogen supplementation)
• Smoking
• A history of dry socket in the past
• Not following the post-op instructions given to you by the dentist/staff

Treatment for Dry Socket

• Return to the dentist as soon as you experience this pain.  The following steps will be taken:
• The socket will be rinsed out to remove extra debris
• The dentist will insert medicated gauze into the opening.  The medicated gauze contains:
  • Eugenol
  • Topical anesthetic
• You will be advised to change the gauze every 24 hours for the next 3 days.
• Then change the gauze every 2-3 days until the clot forms and you do not experience anymore pain

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