What is a dry socket?

Dry socket is not an infection, but a common cause of pain after extraction. It is associated with the partialy or completely lost blood clot inside the tooth socket and the exposure of the bone socket, which is extremely sensitive causing a dull, aching and sometimes throbbing pain (which might radiate to the ear). In most cases dry socket is associated with bad odor and bad taste in the mouth.

How to Prevent Dry Socket

• Do not rinse mouth the same day of extraction, start the next day, using one teaspoon of salt to one glass of water or using antimicrobiale mouth rinse.
• Do not spit or use a straw on the same day of extraction.
• Do not smoke.
• Minimizing trauma and placing of suture helps in reducing the possibility of dry socket.

   

Treatment:

The treatment of dry socket is to relieve the pain during the healing process, which can be achieve by packing dry socket dressing inside the extraction site by the dentist. The dressings main ingredients are a combination of eugenol and topical anesthetic.