Dry socket

Dry socket is one of the most common complications of a tooth extraction. It occurs in around 5% of tooth extractions and can be quite painful. Fortunately, it is easily treated.

Symptoms

A dry socket is a socket in which a patient is experiencing pain. This happens due to the loss of the blood clot, which leaves the bone exposed to air, food and fluids. Dry socket also often produces a bad smell which often occurs a couple of days following an extraction and may last up to a week. Although it's normal to experience discomfort and pain following an extraction, by the second day this should be reducing. The loss of a blood clot occurs when it is somehow dislodged from the site of surgery leaving the bone and nerve endings exposed. The blood clot serves several functions including limiting the bleeding in the area and laying a foundation for the new bone and tissue to develop in the area. Dry sockets are much more common wisdom teeth and teeth in the back of your mouth, as the circulation in this area is poor. Dry socket can often extend the healing process.

Risk factors

There's a number of factors likely to increase your chances of developing a dry socket. If you smoke before the time your dentist recommended after extraction then this can also affect the healing process. Smoking affects the blood supply to the blood clot and also brings several toxic products contained in your cigarette to the area.

This can cause injuries to the gum tissue and the pressure difference of your sucking on the cigarette can loosen the blood clot from the surgery area. If you don't carefully follow all after care instructions that your dentist has given you this can often cause problems. Women patients who are also taking oral contraceptives have been shown to be at a greater risk of developing the condition.

Prevention

There's a number of ways in which you can protect against developing a dry socket. For instance, women patients who are using oral contraceptives or are having their teeth extracted within the first 22 days of the menstrual cycle are two times more likely to develop the condition following an extraction. Therefore it's commonly recommended that you schedule your extraction during the last week of the menstrual cycle to ensure low levels of estrogen. You should also avoid smoking before the time your dentist recommends as this can cause several problems with the site of extraction. Rinsing your mouth excessively can interfere with the bloods natural clotting process. Similarly avoid drinking through a straw as this can cause problems with pressure in your mouth leading to a dry socket developing. It's usually advised to chew on the other side of your mouth to avoid injury from food and to gently rinse your mouth out using warm salt water after a day.