What Does Dry Socket Look Like: Signs, Symptoms, and Healing Tips

You may be asking yourself what is dry socket and how to know when you have it, especially after undergoing a tooth extraction. Dry socket, also medically referred to as alveolar osteitis, is a painful dental condition, which develops because of the dislodging of the blood clot that protects your extraction site or the inability to form normally. Knowing what a dry socket looks like may assist you in seeking immediate treatment and prevent complications.

Recognizing What a Dry Socket Looks Like

A dry socket looks significantly different to normal healing when you look at the extraction site. Rather than a dark blood clot that covers the socket, you will see exposed bone, which appears whitish or grayish. The socket is either empty or partially clotted. In some cases, the food debris may be stuck in the opening and the place usually smells or tastes foul.

Early Stage Dry Socket: Warning Signs

Early stage dry socket normally emerges two to four days following extraction. At first you may experience relief because the pain after extraction disappears but then suddenly pain strikes intensely. This is usually the initial sign that something is not right. The pain spreads around the place of extraction to your ear, eye, temple, or neck on the same side of your face.

Key Signs of Dry Socket

Early detection of the symptoms of dry socket is very important to treat the condition in time:

Common Symptoms Include:

•        Intense throbbing pains which start 2-3 days after extraction of the tooth.

•        Visible bone in the extraction socket without blood clot coverage.

•        Stinky breath or nasty taste which does not resolve with rinsing.

•        Radiating pain in your ear, eye or neck.

•        Lumps in your lymphs around the neck or jaw.

•        Mild fever in some cases

•        Hypersensitivity to temperature and touch.

Healing Tips and Prevention

Should you suspect dry socket, then you should not rinse vigorously, take drinks through straws, or smoke because this may aggravate the situation. Wash under warm salt water and take painkillers. Healing is facilitated by soft food and fluid intake. Do not ever clean up the socket yourself, as it may only do more harm and make recovery slow.

Post-operative instructions are important to avoid the occurrence of dry socket following extraction. Do not smoke at least 72 hours, because you are at a considerable risk because of tobacco use. Rest well and hold your head high to reduce bleeding. Use ice packs to reduce swelling and ensure good oral hygiene but be careful around the extraction site.

Bottom Line

Waiting is not an option when you are showing symptoms of dry socket or have some doubts regarding your healing extraction site. Springvale Dental Clinic specializes in the treatment of dry socket and any complications following the extraction. Our caring dental team will provide medicated dressings, pain management options and follow-up care to make sure that the healing is comfortable. We also give out elaborate pre-extraction instructions to assist in avoiding occurrence of dry socket. Call Contact Springvale Dental Clinic today to get the professional dental care you deserve.