Dry Socket (osteitis)
By DR Mark Dohald | Principle Dental Officer
5 minute read |
Published 23 September 2024
Dry socket is a painful dental condition occurring after an adult tooth is removed. Its full name is osteitis, which means the bone lining of the socket is inflamed, this does not mean it’s infected.
Dry socket can occur during the three to four days after an adult tooth is removed. The blood clot that should form after the tooth is removed dislodges before the wound heals, exposing underlying bone.
In the days following a tooth removal, the main symptom is pain. When you have dry socket, you may notice that the pain improves initially after having an extraction but then starts to increase. This condition may be accompanied by bad breath, so keep an eye out for that side effect.
You will need to see your dentist to have the socket cleaned out and get a prescription for painkillers.
Symptoms
- Severe pain 1 to 3 days after the tooth is extracted.
- Pain that radiates from the socket to your ear, eye, temple, or neck on the same side.
- Bad breath or a noticeable odour coming from your mouth.
- Slight fever.
How can you treat a dry socket?
- Follow the postoperative instructions provided by your dentist.
- Take pain medication as prescribed.
- Do not smoke/vape or use tobacco products.
- Drink plenty of clear liquids.
- Rinse your mouth gently with warm salt water several times a day – it is recommended to hold the water in your mouth without swishing, as swishing may dislodge a clot in the first place.
- Brush your teeth gently around the extraction site.
- Be careful eating or drinking, and do not use a straw.
How can the dentist help?
After flushing the socket to remove food and debris, your dentist will pack it with a medicated dressing in the form of a paste.
One of the ingredients in dry socket paste is eugenol, which is present in clove oil and acts as an anaesthetic. Eugenol also has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties and helps to soothe the area.
It is unlikely that you will need antibiotics specifically for this condition but check-in with your dentist, so they can monitor your recovery.
