The initial healing process of a tooth extraction takes roughly one to two weeks. In this time, new gum tissue and bone will grow to cover the hole. A successful tooth extraction will result in some pain, swelling and residual bleeding for up to 24 to 48 hours. Within 2 to 3 days you should be back on your feet and able to resume normal daily activities. Sometimes, however, there can be complications in the healing process. One common complication is a condition called dry socket.
What is Dry Socket?
After a tooth extraction, proper healing of the site requires a blood clot to form. This clot will protect the site and aid in the process of new gum tissue and bone growth. Before you leave the dentist’s office after your extraction, you’ll be given a list of instructions to follow that will help ensure the extraction site heals properly. Following those aftercare instructions is extremely important, particularly when it comes to the formation of a blood clot. That’s because dry socket occurs when a blood clot fails to form or becomes dislodged from the extraction site. Without the blood clot, sensitive nerves and bone are exposed, resulting in pain and difficulty in healing.
Reasons Dry Socket Might Occur
Certain risk factors can increase the chance of dry socket occurring. Some of those factors include:
- Smoking and tobacco use
- Using oral contraceptives or estrogen
- Using a straw for consuming beverages or liquid meals
- Brushing your teeth near the extraction site
- Infection of the gums or teeth around the extraction site
- Having had dry socket in the past
Symptoms of Dry Socket
Whether you are recovering from having your wisdom teeth removed or from any other tooth extraction, if severe bleeding, pain or swelling continue for more than 24 to 48 hours, you should always contact your dentist. You’ll also want to speak with your dentist if you suspect you’ve developed dry socket. The symptoms of dry socket usually occur around 3 to 4 days after a tooth extraction and are fairly easy to identify:
- Sustained or heightened pain around the extraction site
- A foul smell emanating from the extraction site
- A bad taste in your mouth
- Bone visible at the extraction site
Treatment for Dry Socket
Unfortunately, once a blood clot is lost it cannot be replaced. Therefore, treatment for dry socket mostly involves pain management and keeping the extraction site clean. When you visit the dentist they will generally flush the site with a saline solution, pack it with gauze and prescribe a pain reliever. At home, you will be instructed to regularly flush the socket to keep debris away.
With the exception of wisdom teeth, the absence of a tooth for very long can cause the remaining teeth to shift, which can impact your bite and ability to chew properly. At Country Club Dental in Flagstaff, we always recommend replacing the missing tooth or teeth with an implant, fixed bridge, or denture.
Images used under creative commons license – commercial use. Image by engin akyurt from Pixabay (7/29/2019)
