Dry socket is a common complication which emerges after a tooth extraction. In this condition, the blood clot which normally forms after a tooth is removed either does not form, or is dislodged. As a result, the bone and nerves at the extraction site are exposed, causing considerable pain to the patient. This condition sometimes appears spontaneously, and in other cases it may emerge because a patient fails to follow aftercare directions. In either case, the treatment for dry socket is very straightforward.
A typical tooth extraction is quite painful on the day of the extraction, with pain levels which decrease over the following days. The decrease in pain is the result of a formation of a blood clot over the area of the jaw exposed by the extraction. The blood clot promotes the formation of new tissue which will eventually cover the area, protecting the delicate nerves and bone. Dry socket usually emerges one to three days after an extraction, and it manifests in the form of extreme pain which may radiate from the jaw.
Activities like smoking, spitting, and drinking from straws appear to increase the risk of developing dry socket. Failing to follow the recommendations of the dentist is another risk factor, as is a history of dry socket, and women who take oral contraceptives appear to be at greater risk as well. Even with the best care, however, sometimes a dry socket simply happens. In addition to pain, the condition can be accompanied with an unpleasant taste in the mouth or bad breath.
It is important to go to a dentist to treat dry socket. The dentist will flush the exposed socket with an antiseptic solution, and then pack it with a medicated dressing to prevent infection and promote healing. The patient may be given oral pain medications and sometimes antibiotics if the site appears infected. Patients may also be given self care directions for flushing and packing the dry socket at home.
The formal name for this condition is alveolar osteitis. Whatever one calls it, dry socket is extremely common, and the pain is usually intense enough to send people back to the dentist for followup treatment. If the condition is not treated, someone can develop a severe infection in the socket, which could potentially lead to sepsis. Untreated dry socket can also lead to lost time at work, as many people have trouble working when they are experiencing oral pain.
Signs and symptoms of dry socket may include:
Severe pain within a few days after a tooth extraction
Partial or total loss of the blood clot at the tooth extraction site, which you may notice as an empty-looking (dry) socket
Visible bone in the socket
Pain that radiates from the socket to your ear, eye, temple or neck on the same side of your face as the extraction
Bad breath or a foul odor coming from your mouth
Unpleasant taste in your mouth
Swollen lymph nodes around your jaw or neck
A certain degree of pain and discomfort is normal after a tooth extraction. However, you should be able to manage normal pain with the pain reliever prescribed by your dentist or oral surgeon, and the pain should lessen with time. If you develop new or worsening pain in the days after your tooth extraction, contact your dentist or oral surgeon immediately.
Ice pack is known to be the best way of treating toothache after extraction. You can apply an ice pack on the affected area and get relief.
Keeping the dry socket clean is very essential. You can use a syringe with a curved tip to squirt water into this area. This will help remove the debris and keep it clean. You can also use salted water instead of plain water.
Use a cold tea bag for the treatment of dry socket. You can press it over the wound by teeth. The tannic acid in tea helps in providing dry socket relief.
Clove oil is also popularly used for dry socket treatment. You can dab a cotton ball in clove oil and apply it over the dry socket. Clove oil has antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties which will help in giving you relief. Directly chewing a clove is also a good option but make sure you do not chew from the wounded side.
Gargle many times throughout the day with warm salted water. This will also help a lot in dry socket treatment.
Turmeric is also known to be used as a treatment for dry socket. You can add turmeric in warm water and gargle several times to get rid of dry socket. The antiseptic properties of turmeric will help in healing the wound.
You can also soak a damp cotton ball in turmeric and directly apply it over the extracted tooth area. A pinch of turmeric powder and common salt can be used to massage your gums, this is one of the best dry socket home remedies.
Drinking plenty of water is a much essential part of the treatment. This will also help you to stay hydrated. Remember not to drink water or any other fluids using straw.
Also remember not to touch the extraction site with your fingers or tongue; it may hurt the sensitive area.
If the aforementioned dry socket treatments do not work, it is best to have a second visit to your dentist who extracted the tooth. He will diagnose the problem and give the right treatment accordingly. Your dentist will probably prescribe a strong analgesic for dry socket treatment. He/ she will also clean the area thoroughly. This will be followed by applying a medicated dressing, which is lightly packed in the dry socket area. This dressing contains analgesics and antiseptics to help relieve pain and prevent any infection. This will also ensure that any food particles or debris is not collected there which might lead to infection and pain. Dentist might also prescribe some topical medication and painkillers to maintain the dental health. Following proper tooth extraction aftercare as mentioned by your dentist will help prevent the problem of dry socket.