Protect Your Teeth from Dry Socket – But What is A Dry Socket?
Dry Socket, or alveolar osteitis, is a dental condition that affects the gums and bone after a tooth extraction. It occurs when the protective blood clot dislodges from the site of the extracted tooth, leaving the underlying bone exposed. This can lead to severe pain, prolonged healing and increased risk of infection.
What are the Symptoms of Dry Socket?
When a Dry Socket occurs, the patient may experience a range of symptoms, including throbbing pain, a foul taste or smell in the mouth, bad breath, and pain radiating to the ear or eye on the same side. Additionally, the Socket may have visible signs, such as exposed white bone, rather than a dark blood clot.
What Causes a Dry Socket?
If you suspect you have developed a dry socket, you must visit your dentist immediately. Treatment usually involves:
- Cleaning the Socket.
- Filling it with a dressing or medical paste.
- Prescribing antibiotics to prevent infection.
Over-the-counter pain relief medication may also be used at home if you cannot see a dentist. The pain should subside within a week, and new tissue will form to protect the Socket.
How to Prevent Dry Socket
The best way to avoid a Dry Socket is to practice good oral hygiene, avoid smoking and drinking through a straw, and be gentle when rinsing and spitting post-surgery. Additionally, it is essential to follow all instructions provided by your dentist regarding post-operative care.
Schedule an Appointment Today
We offer same-day visits and late opening hours that work around your schedule. Do you think that you might have a Dry Socket? Speak to our team today if you have post-surgery. Perhaps they’ve discoloured and need to be whitened? Contact our team today to discuss your teeth. We’re providers with Medibank, HCF and MDF. You can claim your health fund rebate on the spot with our HICAPS machine.
* Any invasive or surgical procedure may carry risks. Before moving forward, it is recommended that you seek a second opinion from an appropriately licensed medical professional.
Common Questions & Answers Related to Dry Sockets
What is Dry Socket?
Dry Socket, or alveolar osteitis, is one of many dental conditions that affect the gums and bone after tooth extraction. It occurs when the protective blood clot dislodges from the site of the extracted tooth, leaving the underlying bone exposed.
Do Dry Sockets Stink?
Bacteria will begin to digest the clot, and as they do, there will be a distinct odour and a taste that could be considered stinky and off-putting.
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What are the Symptoms of Dry Socket?
When a Dry Socket occurs, the patient may experience a range of dry socket symptoms, including throbbing pain, a foul taste or smell in the mouth, bad breath, and pain radiating to the ear or eye on the same side. Additionally, the Socket may have visible signs, such as exposed white bone, rather than a dark blood clot.
Do you often see patients with a Dry Socket?
Dry sockets are a condition that can occur following tooth extractions and are something we occasionally encounter here at Brighton Dental Suite. However, our primary objective is always to prevent dry sockets from developing in the first place. To achieve this, we employ several measures after an extraction to minimize the risk of dry sockets. Our team at Brighton Dental Suite takes great care to provide our patients with comprehensive guidance on the best practices to follow for a smooth and comfortable recovery after tooth extraction.
What Causes Dry Socket?
Several factors can increase a person’s risk of developing dry Socket. Pre-existing oral infections and dense jawbones can prevent proper blood clot formation while smoking cigarettes or using a straw following a tooth extraction can cause the clot to dislodge. People who take oral contraception pills have had wisdom teeth removed or have had a dry socket in the past are also at higher risk for this condition.
How Serious is a Dry Socket?
The worst case is if the Dry Socket exposes the nerves and bone in your gums; if this happens, we recommend that you seek a dental professional.
How Long do Dry Sockets Last?
You will find that most Dry Sockets are gone 3-5 days after tooth extraction. However, prolonged Dry Sockets have been recorded to last as long as seven days, leading to severe pain, an unpleasant taste, a fever, possibly a throbbing sensation and swollen glands.