Learn More about the Symptoms and Treatment for Dry Socket
Nobody likes the thought of having a tooth extracted but if it is necessary then modern techniques and anaesthetics can be relied upon to make it a painless experience. Once the tooth is gone then the focus is on avoiding a dry socket after extraction.
Dry socket is a painful complication where a blood clot doesn’t form after extraction or the clot becomes dislodged exposing bone and nerves.
The blood clot serves to protect the underlying tissues, bone and nerves as the extraction site heals. Dry socket is only a temporary complication that resolves easily with the necessary treatment.
The following factors increase the risk of dry socket:
Notable symptoms of dry socket include:
Your dentist will most likely diagnose dry socket if you have severe pain after extraction. An x-ray will be required to rule out bone infection and to check if fragments of bone or root remained at the site.
Treatment for Dry Socket
Treatment will basically revolve around pain management. The dentist will begin by flushing the extraction site to get rid of any food debris. The socket will then be packed with medicated dressings before giving a prescription for pain medication. There will be follow-up appointments with the dentist to ensure proper healing of the socket.
Free Consultation
To download a voucher for a consultation to discuss any of the issues covered; click below.
Free Consultation
Dr Ashley Davenport BDS MFGDP(UK)
I qualified as a dentist in 1995 and can honestly say that I have been doing a job that I love for the past 20 plus years. Most people who know me well know that dentistry is a passion for me and that if I won the lottery I would still want to have some dentistry in my life. I get huge satisfaction from treating patients and making a difference to ...
Dr Catherine Myatt BDS MFGDP(UK)
Cath joined the practice as a dentist in 2002. She and Ashley met on their postgraduate Vocational Training course in Birmingham when they ended up working at the same practice in West Bromwich. When Ashley was looking for an associate at Balsall Common Dental Practice, Cath came to take the role and she has been here ever since. In 2017 Cath...
![](data:image/svg+xml;utf8,<svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 448 512"><path d="M34.9 289.5l-22.2-22.2c-9.4-9.4-9.4-24.6 0-33.9L207 39c9.4-9.4 24.6-9.4 33.9 0l194.3 194.3c9.4 9.4 9.4 24.6 0 33.9L413 289.4c-9.5 9.5-25 9.3-34.3-.4L264 168.6V456c0 13.3-10.7 24-24 24h-32c-13.3 0-24-10.7-24-24V168.6L69.2 289.1c-9.3 9.8-24.8 10-34.3.4z" fill="white"/></svg>)