Do I Have Dry Socket /

Do I have dry socket?

SOME IMPORTANT INFO. ON DRY SOCKET:
Summary
Dry socket is a condition characterized by severe pain after a tooth extraction. The pain generally begins a day or two following the extraction and can last for one to several weeks. It occurs when the blood clot that protects the tooth socket (alveolus) either does not form normally or is dislodged, leaving the bony socket open and exposed.

Dry socket is more likely to occur following the extraction of teeth on the lower jaw than the upper jaw and is most common after wisdom teeth are extracted. Dry socket occurs most commonly in people with diabetes, people who smoke and women, especially those taking oral contraceptives.

The severe pain of dry socket typically radiates out from the site of extraction and cannot be relieved by over-the-counter painkillers. If the extracted tooth was on the lower jaw, there is usually additional pain around the ear on the side of the extraction. Dry socket may also cause bad breath, a bad taste in the mouth and spasms in the jaw muscles.

Treatment of dry socket is generally very effective in reducing the pain while the tooth socket heals. X-rays may be performed to look for additional complications, such as fragments of the tooth that may remain in the socket. To treat dry socket, a dentist rinses the affected tooth socket to remove any debris. Then, a medicated dressing containing analgesics and antiseptics is lightly packed into the open socket. This helps to relieve pain, prevent bacterial or fungal infection or other forms of irritation, and prevent food particles from building up in the socket. The dressing will be replaced daily or more frequently if necessary.

One major aspect of prevention is risk assessment before tooth extraction. The dentist or oral surgeon will compile a thorough medical and dental history to evaluate the patient’s risk of developing dry socket. If the risk is high, a dentist may choose a method of tooth extraction designed to cause less trauma. Dentists also frequently recommend a professional dental cleaning before the tooth is extracted to ensure that plaque and tartar levels are at a minimum. Gentle tooth brushing and mouth rinses are typically recommended for seven days after the extraction. Patients are usually told to avoid rinsing their mouths vigorously for at least the first day.
THE BAD TASTE MAY INDEED BE FROM THE DRY SOCKET.

Do i have dry socket?

I am a dentist.

I also have had at least 2 dry sockets when I have had teeth extracted, so I am very sensitive to my patients who have had this post-surgical complication.

Dry sockets occur 3-5 days after surgery, most often on the mandibular surgical sites.

Believe me...you will know if you have a dry socket (alveolitis). The pain is severe and unrelenting. The surgical site throbs and nothing will stop the pain except to have the dentist re-pack the socket with medication.

Call your dentist immediately for an evaluation and treatment. Even If you follow the post-operative instructions precisely, you can still end up with a dry socket. Don't suffer with pain.

Call your dentist.

Do I have a dry socket?

I recently (Oct) had my 4 wisdom teeth removed and had a lot of pain in one area. I was so scared I had a dry socket and called my oral surgeon's office. They told me that around the 4th day is the worst for pain and to maybe wait another day or so before I came in. So I did, and the pain went away after a day or two. From what I read, dry sockets are SUPER painful and almost unbearable. It could very much just be normal pain! Good luck!

Do I have a dry socket?

Hi Kathy, from what you have explained, it seems that your are experiencing the normal healing process, please remember that you have had a lot of trauma to your mouth and it was only 4 days ago. You are also correct when you say a dry socket is painful, you would certainly know if you had one, it is very, very painful, it will keep you awake at night and it certainly is a constant throbbing dull ache. You can do may things to prevent this from happening, I say prevent as you could still get a dry socket but normally it happens 2/3 days after the extraction. I'm sure you were told to rinse with hot salty water, 1tsb salt to a small glass of hot water (not scalding, but hot enough to hold in your mouth), then rinse all four areas with this until you have finished the water, you might have to put your head to the side, for it to get to the back of the mouth, simple but it works. Always rinse your mouth after eating if you cannot brush. I wish you speedy healing and no problems. Hope this helps.

How to know if you have dry socket?

No, you don't have a dry socket.
Dry sockets.

One of the more common complications people experience after a tooth extraction is that of developing a "dry socket." It is thought that dry sockets occur when either a blood clot has failed to form in the tooth socket (the hole left after extracting the tooth), or else the blood clot that did form has been dislodged. Since the formation of a blood clot is an important part of the healing process, the normal healing of the extraction site is interrupted.

Dry sockets are most frequently associated with difficult tooth extractions or extractions that have been traumatic in nature. An extraction that has involved the removal of bone from around a tooth in order for the dentist to access it, which is often the case when lower impacted wisdom teeth are removed, would be considered to be more traumatic in nature than an extraction where this step was not required.

People who follow their dentist's post-extraction recommendations will reduce their chances of developing a dry socket. Dry sockets are found to occur more often with women (even more so with those taking oral contraceptives), people over the age of 30, and smokers.

Typically dry sockets manifest themselves as a dull throbbing pain which doesn't appear until three or four days after the tooth extraction. The pain can be moderate to severe in intensity and often seems to radiate from the area of the extraction site to the ear. Dry sockets typically create a foul odor or bad taste. Visually, if you can see down into the socket, the extraction site appears "dry," in the sense that you just see exposed bone. There is no formation of pus.

Dry sockets need to be treated by your dentist. And don't be hesitant to let them know that you need their help. Your dentist knows that there is no way to predict who will develop a dry socket, and if one occurs after your extraction they will be eager to assist you.

In most cases a dentist will place a medicated dressing into a dry socket as a treatment. This will help to soothe and moderate the pain. The dressing is usually removed and replaced every 24 hours until the dry socket's symptoms subside, which can, in some cases, take some number of days.

How do you know if you have dry socket?

hi, so i had my wisdom teeth out 2 days ago. ive followed every direction like not eating hard foods, not drinking with a straw, ice packs on my cheeks, etc. i dunno if i have dry socket right now. it kinda hurts on my left side when i swallow. today, the third day after my extraction, i had to go into work just to get my schedule for next week since my manager refuses to give it over the phone. i expected just to get the schedule and leave but 5 of my friends bumped into me there and i had to explain to everyone what happened! i shouldnt have talked a lot, but i admit i did. maybe thats why it hurts. its not too much of an intense pain, more of a funny feeling. how will i know if i have dry socket? you will be bleeding a lot?