What Is a Dry Socket? Causes, Symptoms and Treatment After Extraction
Having a tooth out is usually straightforward, and most people heal without a hitch. But if the pain gets worse a few days later instead of easing, you might be dealing with a dry socket. So, what is dry socket , and what should you do about it? What Is a Dry Socket? Dry socket (known in dentistry as alveolar osteitis) is a painful condition that can develop after a tooth extraction. When a tooth is removed, a blood clot forms in the empty tooth socket. This clot acts like a natural bandage, protecting the bone and nerves underneath while new tissue grows. If that clot is dislodged, dissolves too early or never forms properly, the bone and nerves are left exposed. That's the dry socket meaning in simple terms: a tooth socket that has lost its protective covering. If you've been wondering what a dry socket is after a tooth extraction, think of it as healing that has stalled, and it's often quite painful. How Common Is It? Dry socket affects roughly 2 to 5 per cent of all ...