What Is Dry Socket? Symptoms to Watch for After Tooth Extraction
Getting a tooth pulled is rarely anyone's idea of a good time. But for most people, the real challenge starts after you leave the dental chair. If you've had a tooth removed recently and the pain is getting worse instead of better, you might be dealing with something called dry socket. Here's what it is, how to spot it, and what to do about it. What Is Dry Socket? Dry socket , known in dental terms as alveolar osteitis, is one of the most common complications after a tooth extraction. When a tooth comes out, a blood clot forms in the empty socket. That clot acts like a natural bandage. It protects the bone and nerve endings underneath and gives your gum tissue a foundation to heal. With dry socket, that clot gets dislodged, dissolves too early, or never forms properly. The bone and nerves are left exposed to air, food, and fluids, and that is where the trouble begins. It's most common after lower wisdom teeth removal, since those extractions tend to be more complex. Ov...