Dry sockets are a common complication following the removal of a tooth.Source: iStock
What is dry socket?
The typical scenario for a dry socket is the occurrence of throbbing pain about two to four days after the tooth is extracted. Dry socket pain is often accompanied by bad breath and a foul taste in the mouth. With this onset of pain, it is obvious that proper healing has been interrupted.
A dry socket is a condition in which there is inflammation of the jawbone (or alveolar bone) after tooth extraction. It is also referred to as "alveolar osteitis" and is one of the many complications that can occur from a tooth extraction. The occurrence of dry socket is relatively rare, occurring in about 2% of tooth extractions. However, that percentage rises to at least 20% when it involves the removal of mandibular impacted third molars (lower wisdom teeth).
Dry Socket and Tooth Extraction
What is the treatment for dry socket?
A dry socket is a condition that may result after a tooth extraction if the blood clot that normally fills the socket is lost. The dry socket leaves underlying nerves exposed, which is very painful. The condition is treated by a dentist who cleans the wound and places a special dressing into the socket. Over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications like ibuprofen may be used to treat pain and decrease swelling.
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Dry sockets can be caused by bacterial, chemical, mechanical, or physiological factors.Source: iStock
What causes dry socket?
A dry socket is caused by the partial or total loss of a blood clot in the tooth socket after tooth extraction. Normally, after a tooth is extracted, a blood clot will form as the first step in healing to cover and protect the underlying jawbone. If the blood clot is lost or does not form, the bone is exposed and healing is delayed.
In general, a dry socket is a result of bacterial, chemical, mechanical, and physiologic factors. Below are examples for each:
- Bacterial: Preexisting infection that is present in the mouth prior to a dental extraction such as periodontal disease (or periodontitis) can prevent the proper formation of a blood clot. Certain oral bacteria can cause the breakdown of the clot.
- Chemical: Nicotine used by smokers causes a decrease in the blood supply in the mouth. As a result, the blood clot may fail to form at the site of a recent tooth extraction.
- Mechanical: Sucking through a straw, aggressive rinsing, spitting, or dragging on a cigarette causes dislodgement and loss of the blood clot.
- Physiologic: Hormones, dense jawbone, or poor blood supply are factors that prevent blood clot formation.
In order to prevent dry sockets, you should not smoke. Prior to tooth extraction, risk factors for developing a dry socket include smoking.Source: iStock
What are risk factors for getting dry socket?
Prior to tooth extraction, risk factors for developing a dry socket include smoking, the presence of an impacted wisdom tooth, being female, and being above the age of 30.
Smoking is a risk factor for developing a dry socket due to the nicotine found in cigarettes. Exposure to nicotine reduces the blood supply available to the healing socket and can prevent the proper formation of a blood clot at the extraction site.
Extraction of impacted third molars (wisdom teeth) can be traumatic as some surrounding gum tissue and jawbone may need to be removed or may be adversely affected during surgery. Although the extraction is necessary, the resulting trauma can increase the chances of a dry socket.
Previous infections such as periodontal disease or pericoronitis at the site of the extraction can predispose an individual to a dry socket.
Women have been found to develop a dry socket more so than men. This may be related to hormonal factors such as the use of oral contraceptives or normal hormonal changes during a woman's cycle.
Patients older than 30 years of age with impacted third molars have an increased risk of dry sockets. With age, the jawbone becomes denser and has less blood supply available. A dense jawbone increases the risk of a traumatic extraction and less blood supply decreases the chances of blood clot formation and timely healing.
A tell-tale sign is a socket that has a partial or total loss of a blood clot. Symptoms of dry sockets are often painful.Source: Bigstock
What are dry socket symptoms and signs?
A tell-tale sign is a socket that has a partial or total loss of a blood clot. The jawbone may be visible in the socket and the surrounding tissue may appear gray due to poor healing.
Symptoms of a dry socket include the following:
- A throbbing steady pain presents a few days after tooth extraction.
- The pain may radiate to other parts of the head such as the ears and eyes on the same side of the face.
- Bad breath and a bad taste may also be present due to the accumulation of food debris and bacteria in the socket.
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Dry Socket
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A dentist can diagnose dry sockets based on a physical exam and symptoms.Source: Getty Images
How is dry socket diagnosed?
Diagnosis of a dry socket is based on the history of dental treatment, clinical examination, and the individual's symptoms. Timing of when symptoms begin may be an indicator for a dry socket. During normal healing, the discomfort of extraction should lessen over time. However, if the pain increases, this is an indication that healing is delayed and could possibly be due to a dry socket. Typically, symptoms for a dry socket develop two to four days after tooth extraction. Most dry sockets happen within the first week after tooth extraction.
What is the treatment for dry socket?
Treatment usually involves symptomatic support while the socket heals. Initially, the dentist will gently irrigate to clear the socket of food debris. Next, an analgesic medicated dressing or packing is placed within the socket to cover the exposed bone. This usually provides immediate relief. This dressing may need to be replaced every few days during the healing process. The dressing is often coated with "dry socket paste," which is made up of ingredients with pain-relieving properties, including eugenol (clove oil).
Additionally, medications can be prescribed to manage the pain. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (such as Advil or Aleve) or narcotics (such as hydrocodone/acetaminophen [Vicodin]) are often used to relieve pain.
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Over-the-counter pain medication can be used to treat a painful dry socket.Source: Getty Images
Are there home remedies for dry socket?
Home treatment for a dry socket usually involves temporary management of pain until a dental professional can be seen for treatment. Methods to provide some relief include use of over-the-counter pain medications for pain management, cold compress, or insulated ice pack on the affected side of the face (15 minutes on and 15 minutes off), rinsing with salt water to remove food debris, and use of clove oil (place a one to two drops of clove oil on a clean cotton swab and gently apply to the affected area). Again, these methods are only for temporary relief of pain. Delaying a follow-up visit with the dentist or surgeon could prolong the pain as well as the recovery time.
What is the average healing time for dry socket?
Average healing time is seven to 10 days, as this is the amount of time it takes for new tissue to grow to cover the exposed socket.
Do not use a straw when drinking after a tooth extraction to prevent dry sockets.Source: iStock
What is the prognosis for dry socket?
Prognosis is good as there usually are no long-term consequences. Once the tissue is able to cover the bone, the healing will progress normally.
Is it possible to prevent a dry socket?
The prevention of developing a dry socket may be influenced by the methods used by the dentist or surgeon performing the tooth extraction. Such preventive methods include (1) placement of packing at the surgery with or without antibiotic (for example, tetracycline) and/or (2) placement of sutures to protect the blood clot. These details can be discussed with the dentist or surgeon prior to the procedure to determine if these preventive methods would be recommended.
After extraction, there are a few day-to-day activities that should be avoided: smoking, drinking with a straw, and vigorous spitting or rinsing. Diet should be a soft food diet. The area should be kept as clean as possible with gentle rinsing with an antibacterial solution such as chlorhexidine rinse (Peridex). This oral rinse can be prescribed by your surgeon. It is important to follow any special instructions given by the dentist or surgeon in caring for the extraction site at home.
Lastly, recent studies have shown that the incidence of a dry socket in women is significantly decreased when tooth extractions are performed during their menstrual period (menses). When teeth extractions can be electively planned, the recommendation is to perform this procedure during the menstrual period. In this way, the risk of a dry socket due to cycle-related hormonal changes can be eliminated.