Alveolar osteitis commonly known as dry socket happens after a permanent tooth has been extracted. Blood clots on the extraction area fail to develop, dislodges, or dissolves before the wound heals. Normally when blood clots on the area, it serves as a protective layer on top of the underlying bone and nerves in the empty socket, and a blood clot develops, this is the most common complication of tooth extraction of the third molar, pain may not be relieved by over the counter medications, it is strongly advised to see your dentist if these complications occur.
When the bone and nerves are exposed, this results in intense pain radiating to the face, the socket may be filled with food debris and inflammation occurs adding to the pain, this usually occurs 3 days after tooth extraction.
Signs and Symptoms of dry socket
- Severe pain a few days after the extraction
- Total loss of blood clot in the area, it appears like an empty socket
- Bone is visible on the area
- pain radiation to the eye, ear, temple, or neck area
- Foul odor or bad breath
- Bad taste
Dry socket can be caused by issues that may involve
- Bacterial contamination in the area after tooth extraction
- Unavoidable trauma caused by complicated extraction of the wisdom tooth
Factors that increase the risks to develop dry socket
- Smoking, chemicals in cigarettes, and tobacco cause slow healing and can contaminate the area. When sucking on the cigarette, the clot can be dislodged.
- Contraceptives increase estrogen levels and can interrupt wound healing.
- Poor oral hygiene increases the risk of dry sockets.
- If you had a dry socket in the past, you are most likely to have it again in future tooth extractions.
- Tooth and gum infection
- If the tooth and gums are having infections and other oral health concerns this increases the risk of dry socket.
How can dry socket be prevented?
- Go to an experienced dental surgeon
- Stop smoking before and after extraction
- Inform your dentist of the medications you are taking, some may contain anticoagulants
- Let your dentist know if you have any underlying diseases
- Your dental surgeon will give you antibacterial mouthwash and oral antibiotics
After the surgery strict instructions will be given to you by your dentists, this will highly contribute to the healing process, you may also want to know of the following precautions.
Physical Activity
Patients are required to rest for the whole day after surgery, avoid exercising and playing sports, resuming normal activities may cause the removal of the clot in the socket.
Pain
Use cold compress for the first day, then warm packs the following day, it reduces swelling and bruising take your prescribed pain medications as ordered.
Food and drinks
Avoid alcoholic drinks, hot drinks, carbonated and caffein, do not use a straw when drinking, sucking the drink can remove the clot from the socket. Eat soft food for a few days and avoid chewing on the surgery site when you start to eat semisolid food,
Oral hygiene
Gently rinse your mouth and brush your teeth lightly but avoid the surgery site. Follow your dentist recommendations and use the prescribed mouth wash
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