Dry socket

Alveolar osteitis; Alveolitis; Septic socket

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Description

Dry socket is a complication of having a tooth pulled (tooth extraction). The socket is the hole in the bone where the tooth used to be. After a tooth is removed, a blood clot forms in the socket. This protects the bone and nerves underneath as it heals.

Dry socket occurs when the clot is lost or does not form well. The bone and nerves are exposed to the air. This causes pain and delays healing.

Risk Factors

You may be more at risk for dry socket if you:

Have poor oral health
Have a difficult tooth extraction
Use birth control pills, which may interfere with healing
Smoke or use tobacco, which slows healing
Do not take proper care of your mouth after having a tooth pulled
Have had dry socket in the past
Drink from a straw after the tooth is pulled, which can dislodge the clot
Rinse and spit a lot after the tooth is pulled, which can dislodge the clot

Symptoms

Symptoms of dry socket are:

Severe pain 1 to 3 days after the tooth is pulled
Pain that radiates from the socket to your ear, eye, temple, or neck on the same side that your tooth was pulled
An empty socket with a missing blood clot
Bad taste in your mouth
Bad breath or a terrible smell coming from your mouth
Slight fever

Treatment

Your dentist will treat the dry socket by:

Cleaning out the socket to flush out food or other materials
Filling the socket with a medicated dressing or paste
Having you come in often to have the dressing changed

Your dentist may also decide to:

Start you on antibiotics
Have you rinse with salt water or special mouthwash
Give you a prescription for pain medicine or irrigation solution

Self-Care for dry Socket

To care for the dry socket at home:

Take pain medicine and antibiotics as directed
Apply a cold pack to the outside of your jaw
Carefully rinse the dry socket as directed by your dentist
Take antibiotics as instructed
Do not smoke, use tobacco, or drink alcohol

How to Prevent dry Socket

To prevent dry socket, follow your dentist's instructions for mouth care after you have a tooth pulled.

When to Call the Doctor

Contact your dentist if you think you have:

Symptoms of dry socket
Increased pain or pain that does not respond to pain relievers
Worse breath or taste in your mouth (could be a sign of infection)

References

American Dental Association website. Dry socket. www.mouthhealthy.org/all-topics-a-z/dry-socket/. Published 2023. Accessed February 3, 2023.

Hupp JR. Postextraction patient management. In: Hupp JR, Ellis E, Tucker MR, eds. Contemporary Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2019:chap 11.

Review Date: 11/7/2022

Reviewed By: Michael Kapner, DDS, General Dentistry, Norwalk Medical Center, Norwalk CT. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

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