Dry Socket: Symptoms & Signs

Dry socketis a condition of inflammation of the jawbone (or alveolar bone) after a tooth extraction. Medically, dry socket is referred to asalveolar osteitis. Dry socket occurs in about 2% of tooth extractions but is much more common afterwisdom tooth(third molar) removal than for other teeth. The characteristic symptom of dry socket is throbbingpainat the site at which a tooth has been pulled. Thepainusually occurs two to four days after the tooth extraction. Other symptoms can includebad breathand a foul orbad taste in the mouth. The pain may also be felt in the face, eye, or ear on the affected side. In some cases, it is possible to see the exposed jawbone through an open socket.

Causes of dry socket

The cause of dry socket is the partial or total loss of theblood clotthat remains in the tooth socket after a tooth is pulled. Normally, ablood clotwill form in the tooth socket after removal to aid healing and to protect the underlying jawbone. If the blood clot is disrupted or missing, the bone is exposed and healing is delayed. A number of factors can increase the likelihood of the blood clot not forming properly or being lost, including drinking from a straw, vigorous rinsing or irrigation of the site,tobacco smoking, or infection.

Other dry socket symptoms and signs

• Bad Breath
• Bad Taste in the Mouth
• Ear Pain
• Eye Pain
• Headache
• Jaw Pain
• Neck Pain
• Open Tooth Socket on the Gum Through Which White Bone Is Visible
• Pain in the Face
• Pain When Chewing
• 悸动的Tooth Pain
• Toothache
• Unpleasant Smell

QUESTION

What causes tooth decay?See Answer