What is Dry Socket?
Dry socket is a painful condition that sometimes occurs after a tooth is extracted.
Your dentist will ask about symptoms and examine your mouth to see if you have a blood clot in your tooth socket and whether you have exposed bone or nerves.
You may need to have x-rays taken of your mouth and teeth to rule out other conditions, such as a bone infection or small fragments of root or bone remaining in the wound after surgery.
Treatment
Treatment of dry socket focuses on reducing symptoms, particularly pain. Dry socket treatment may include:
- Flushing Out the Socket. Flushing out the socket can remove any food particles or other debris that may contribute to pain or possible infection.
- Medicated Dressings. Your dentist may pack the socket with medicated gel or paste and medicated dressings. These can provide relatively fast pain relief. The severity of your pain and other symptoms will determine whether you need dressing changes and how often or if you need other treatment.
- Pain Medication. Ask your dentist which pain medication is best for your situation.
- Self-Care. Once the dressing is removed, you may need to flush the socket at home to promote healing and eliminate debris or do warm salt water rinses.
Once treatment is started, you may soon begin to feel some pain relief. Pain and other symptoms should continue to improve and will likely be gone within a few days. However, keep scheduled appointments with your dentist for dressing changes and other oral care.
Lifestyle and Home Remedies
You can help promote healing and reduce symptoms during treatment of dry socket by following your dentist’s instructions for self-care. You’ll likely be told:
- Take pain medication as prescribed
- Avoid smoking or using tobacco products
- Drink plenty of clear liquids to remain hydrated
- Rinse your mouth gently with warm salt water several times a day
- Brush your teeth gently around the dry socket area
- Use caution when eating or drinking, avoid carbonated beverages
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