What is a dry socket? A dry socket is a problem that happens only after a tooth has been pulled. It is very painful and is most common after the extraction of premolar or molar teeth. After a tooth has been extracted a blood clot forms in the socket that serves as a protective layer over the bone and nerve endings that lie beneath in the empty tooth socket. If the blood clot is washed away, bone and nerve endings are exposed to air and food which results in great pain.
Dry socket pain does not present itself immediately after tooth extraction. Pain usually begins on the third or fourth day after extraction and can spread out from the site. It is possible to have ear pain if teeth are removed from the lower back part of the mouth. A dry socket can last from one to several weeks.
Unfortunately dry socket pain cannot be relieved with over-the-counter medications. The best course of action to take is to call your dentist for treatment. Your dentist will rinse the socket with an antiseptic or saline solution to remove any debris in the socket. If discomfort is too unbearable then anesthesia will be administered. After the socket is rinsed, it will be packed with a medicated dressing. Dressings may melt away on their own or may need to be removed and changed, and pain relievers may also be prescribed. Most patients only need one or two dressings. Dry socket pain subsides quickly once treatment has begun and typically heals completely within a few weeks.
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