If tooth extraction recovery is not going correctly and the blood clot that forms in the socket is disturbed, a painful condition called “dry socket” might occur. In this article, we address a common question: Will a dry socket require treatment?

Will Dry Socket Require Treatment?

Dry socket can cause intense pain, and it also slows down healing, as it leaves the underlying bone and nerves exposed. This condition almost always requires treatment, and we recommend seeing your doctor as soon as possible if you notice that the blood clot has not formed correctly in the tooth socket or has been disturbed. In most cases, home care alone is insufficient, and professional attention is necessary to prevent complications.

Dry socket treatments are aimed at:

Pain relieve
Complications prevention
Healing promotion

What Procedures Are Used for Dry Socket Treatment?

You can expect your dentist to perform several of the following procedures for dry socket treatment:

Socket irrigation (cleaning the wound) involves your dentist gently rinsing the empty socket with sterile saline or an antibacterial solution to remove trapped food particles and debris that may irritate the exposed bone and gum tissue.
Using medicated dressings or pastes involves placing a small piece of medicated gauze or a special gel or paste in the socket. These medications typically contain anesthetic agents and antiseptics to provide fast pain relief and prevent infections. The dressings are usually replaced every 1–3 days until symptoms improve.
Prescription pain relievers may be given if over-the-counter medication isn’t enough.
Sometimes, if signs of infection are present, your dentist may recommend anti-inflammatory or antibacterial medication to help reduce infection, swelling, and discomfort.

What Are the Symptoms of Dry Socket?

Dry socket (alveolar osteitis) usually develops 1–3 days after a tooth extraction and has very distinct symptoms compared to routine post-extraction healing:

Severe throbbing pain at the extraction site. This type of pain is much stronger than the dull aching pain you can usually experience for several days after extraction.
The socket may appear empty, with exposed whitish bone visible.
Bad breath or unpleasant taste in the mouth can be caused by trapped food debris and bacterial buildup in the socket.
The extraction site does not seem to be closing or improving as expected.

How to Prevent Dry Socket After Tooth Extraction

As we mentioned earlier, dry socket occurs when the blood clot that forms in the socket for proper healing (which usually happens within the first few hours after extraction) is disturbed. Therefore, the primary goal in preventing dry socket is to maintain the blood clot in the socket. We recommend following these rules to ensure proper healing after tooth extraction:

Be very gentle when brushing your teeth around the extraction site. However, do not skip brushing and flossing your teeth twice a day, as removing plaque and food debris is essential for preventing infections.
Switch to liquid foods for the first 24 to 48 hours after extraction and then follow up with a soft diet for the next several days. Avoid crunchy and hard foods, as their particles can become lodged in the socket.
Do not chew your food on the extraction side of your mouth.
Do not use a straw for drinking, as the suction created in the mouth can disturb the clot.
Abstain from smoking to avoid creating suction in the mouth. Also, smoking can significantly slow down regeneration.
If you use mouth rinses (for example, chamomile or saltwater solutions), do not swish the rinse in the mouth, especially on the side of the extraction.

Get High-Quality Dental Care at My Dentist Upland

Experience stress-free tooth extraction and post-extraction care at My Dentist Upland. Do not hesitate to call our office today and make an appointment with a reliable dentist. We are looking forward to your visit.