What Is a Dry Socket Tooth? Everything You Need to Know
Getting a tooth extracted is something many of us will encounter at some point, be it a matter of severe decay, infection, dental trauma, or impacted wisdom teeth. In most cases, the extraction sites heal normally without complications. However, some patients will develop a painful condition called dry socket. As such, knowing what a dry socket is and how it can affect tooth extraction healing can help you spot the signs early and get the care you need. What Is a Dry Socket? You may be asking yourself, if you just had a tooth extraction, what is dry socket and why do dentists pound the aftercare instructions into your brain? Dry sockets happen when the blood clot that is supposed to form in an extraction site disappears prematurely or does not form at all. This blood clot is important in the healing of the tooth extraction area because it protects nerve endings and bone underneath while new tissue grows. The clot is often absent, allowing air, food particles, and bacteria to reac...