Having an adult tooth extracted is not particularly an enjoyable experience. Especially due to the discomfort afterwards. You may think you can endure it, and it is possible to endure. But what if the pain worsens or becomes too intense to endure after a few days? 

You are likely to be experiencing a dental condition called Dry Socket.

Dry socket is a condition that rarely happens after extracting a permanent adult tooth. Generally, a dry socket occurs if the blood clot fails to develop at the place of the extraction, or the blood clot dislodges or dissolves before the wound has healed properly. 

After an extraction, a clot of blood forms on the extracted tooth socket to serve as a protective layer over the nerve endings and the underlying bone. Exposure of the nerve endings and the underlying bone may result in intense pain. The socket may get filled with food debris, inflame and cause more pain over time.

Identifying dry socket

If you are able to look at the socket of the extracted tooth in a mirror and see a bone where your tooth used to be, you are probably experiencing the dry socket condition. Another symptom of dry socket is experiencing throbbing pain in your jaw. This pain may spread from your jaw, where the extracted tooth was, to your ear, neck, or eye on the same side of your face as the extracted tooth. You may also experience bad breath coming from your mouth.

Causes of dry socket

Researchers are yet to identify the precise cause of the dry socket condition. However, it’s suspected that bacterial contamination, from food or other things that enter your mouth, can provoke this condition. Trauma at the extraction site may also lead to dry socket. For example, accidentally poking the extracted tooth socket with your floss or brush may disrupt the socket. Spitting or rinsing your mouth in the first 24 hours after extraction may cause dry socket as it can dislodge the blood clot.

Smoking, having a dry socket in the past, tooth or gum infection can increase your risk of getting a dry socket.

Prevention

  • Get help from an experienced dentist, like Dr. Salim Kapadia, to extract your tooth.
  • Try to stop smoking before extraction or ask your dentist for recommendations.
  • Inform your dentist about your current medications along with any health condition you have.
  • Follow your dentist’s recommendation after an extraction.
  • Take pain medications as prescribed.
  • Avoid spitting or rinsing your mouth for the first 24 hours after a tooth extraction.
  • Drink lots of water after surgery. Avoid consuming alcoholic, caffeinated, carbonated, or hot beverages as per your dentist’s recommendation.
  • If you experience new or worsening pain, a few days after having your tooth extracted, contact your dentist or oral surgeon immediately. 

If you are looking for successful tooth extraction, including wisdom tooth in the Greater Toronto Area at an affordable cost, book an appointment with Dr. Salim Kapadia today!

Published On: 14 November 2020Categories: Extraction

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