If you’ve recently had a tooth removed, you’re at risk for dry socket. Dry socket, medically known as alveolar osteitis, is when a blood clot at the site of the tooth extraction fails to develop, or it dislodges or dissolves before the wound has healed. The dislodging can leave the bone and nerve exposed to air, food, fluid, and anything else that enters the mouth. This can lead to infection and severe pain that can last for 5 or 6 days. What Causes Dry Socket?
Apart from these causes, several other risk factors may increase the chances of getting a dry socket. If you consume tobacco, drink alcohol, take oral contraceptives, or have gum problems like gum infection around the extraction site, then you are at a higher risk of getting a dry socket. How to Identify Dry SocketHere are the most obvious symptoms of a dry socket that you can identify.
If your throbbing pain stays for 10-30 days, it can be a red flag for dry socket. Dry socket rarely results in infection or serious complications. However, potential complications may include delayed healing or infection in the socket or progression to chronic bone infection. Hence, it is suggested to take good care of the wound created after tooth extraction and even after other surgical oral treatments. You can try home remedies for the dry socket for relief. But the best way to get rid of the discomfort and problems associated with the dry socket is to visit your dentist at the earliest. Your dentist will examine your mouth and suggest the best solution for your problem like cleaning the socket thoroughly and applying a gauze with medicated gel to promote healing. Comments are closed.
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