Dry sockets happen after extraction of a tooth. It is a painful dental condition and is the most common complication after a tooth extraction. In this Ask a Dentist post, we’ll tell you all about what you need to know about dry sockets, what they are, how you can tell if you have one and what to do to prevent getting it. 

Dry Sockets Are As Painful As It Sounds

After a tooth extraction like wisdom teeth removal, a blood clot forms in the hole where your teeth were before it was removed. This protects your bones and nerve endings and seals the area so it can heal. New bone and soft tissue will develop over the blood clot until it fully heals. 

Dry sockets happen when a blood clot fails to develop, or dislodges or dissolves. When this happens, your bones and nerves can get exposed which is extremely painful. Food can also get stuck inside the socket which will cause more pain. 

How To Know If You Have A Dry Socket

If you think you have these symptoms and have a dry socket, contact your dentist immediately. Schedule an appointment with one of our dentists at Dental Image Therapy Centres. We are a family-friendly clinic in Winnipeg, and our clinics are located at Garden City Mall and St. Vital Centre. 

Your dentist will rinse the socket and remove any food particles that may have gotten stuck in it, and will advise you how to properly care for your dry socket. The dentist may also prescribe an antibiotic and painkillers. 

Symptoms of dry sockets include: 

• Intense pain that radiates from your mouth to your ear, eye, temple or neck on the side of the face you had an extraction. 
• Partial or complete loss of blood clot
• Visible bone
• Bad breath, foul odor and an unpleasant taste in your mouth

How To Prevent Dry Sockets

Your dentist may recommend other practices to prevent dry sockets and will advise you of what is best for your situation. Each person and each extraction is different, and some people heal faster than others. Follow any recommendations given by your dentist. 

• Rest is an essential part of your healing process. It helps stop bleeding and helps you heal faster. Your dentist will advise you when it’s best to resume your normal activities such as exercise and sports. Ignoring this advice may dislodge the blood clot in the socket.  
• Do not rinse your mouth within the first 24 hours after your tooth extraction. 
• Put a cold compress on the swollen area on the first day after the surgery. Hold the cold compress against your face for 10 minutes and wait for another 10 minutes until you hold it to your face again. You can continue doing this within 24 hours after the surgery. You can start using a hot compress on the second day after the surgery. 
• Take medications prescribed by your dentist. Make sure to tell your dentist about any over-the-counter medications and supplements you are taking – these may interfere with the blood clotting development. 
• Drink lots of water. Avoid caffeinated, alcoholic, carbonated and hot beverages until when the dentist recommends. Do not drink from a straw as that may also dislodge the blood clot.
• Eat soft foods, until your dentist advises you to do so.

• Avoid alcohol and smoking for the first two weeks after your surgery. Drinking alcohol and smoking makes it harder for a blood clot to form, delays healing and can add further complications.