Symptoms and treatment of Dry socket

Description

Dry socket is a painful dental condition that sometimes happens after you have a tooth removed. Having a tooth removed is called an extraction. Dry socket occurs when a blood clot at the site where the tooth was removed is not formed, is out or dissolves before the wound has healed.

Usually a blood clot forms at the site where a tooth was extracted. This blood clot is a protective layer over the underlying bone and nerve endings in the empty tooth socket. Also, the clot contains cells that are necessary for the proper healing of the site.

The intense pain that occurs when the underlying bone and nerves are exposed. The pain occurs in the socket and along the nerves to one side of the face. The socket becomes swollen and irritated. You can fill in with pieces of food, making the pain worse. If you get a dry socket, the pain usually begins 1 to 3 days after the extraction of the tooth.

Dry socket is the most common complication following tooth removals, such as the removal of third molars, also called wisdom teeth. Medicines you can buy without a prescription, usually will not be sufficient for the treatment of dry socket pain. Your dentist or oral surgeon can offer treatments to relieve the pain.

Symptoms

The symptoms of dry socket may include:

Severe pain within a couple of days after the extraction of a tooth.
The loss of all or part of the blood clot at the tooth extraction site. The socket may look empty.
Bone that you can see in the socket.
The pain that extends from the socket to your ear, eye, temple or neck on the same side of the face as the extraction of a tooth.
Having bad breath or a bad smell coming from her mouth.
Bad taste in the mouth.

When to see a doctor

A certain amount of pain and discomfort is typical after a tooth extraction. But you should be able to handle the pain with the pain reliever to your dentist or oral surgeon prescribed. The pain should decrease with time.

If you develop a new pain or the pain gets worse in the days after a tooth extraction, please contact your dentist or oral surgeon immediately.

Causes

The exact cause of dry socket is still the object of study. The researchers believe that some issues may be involved, such as:

The bacteria that is present in the socket.
The lesion at the site of the surgery when a tooth extraction is difficult. This can happen with irregular wisdom tooth development or the position, called impacted wisdom teeth.

Risk factors

Factors that may increase your risk of developing dry socket include:

Smoking and tobacco use. The chemicals in the cigarettes or use other forms of tobacco can prevent or slow the healing. These chemicals can enter the wound site. Also, the act of sucking on a cigarette smoking can cause the blood clot to come out too soon.
Birth control pills. High levels of estrogen in birth control pills can cause problems with healing and increase the risk of dry socket.
Inadequate care in the home. Not following care instructions and poor, care of the mouth may increase the risk of dry socket.
Tooth or gum infection. Current or previous infection around the area where the tooth was removed to increase the risk of dry socket.

Complications

Although a dry socket can be painful, it rarely causes an infection or serious complications. But the healing of the socket may be delayed. The pain may last longer than usual after an extraction of a tooth. Dry socket can cause an infection in the socket.

Prevention

What you can do before surgery

You can take these steps to help prevent the drying of the cavity:

Find a dentist or oral surgeon with expertise in extraction of teeth.
The practice of good oral care by brushing your teeth twice a day and flossing once a day. A good oral care before the surgery keeps the teeth and gums clean and eliminates bacteria.
If you smoke or use other tobacco products, try to stop smoking before the tooth is removed. Smoking and use of other tobacco products increase the risk of dry socket. Talk with your doctor or other health care professional about a program to help you quit smoking for good.
Talk with your dentist or oral surgeon about any medications, prescription medications that you can buy off the shelf, herbs, or other supplements you are taking. Some can cause problems with blood clotting.

What your dentist or oral surgeon can do

Your dentist or oral surgeon can take steps to help with the healing of the outlet and avoid dry socket. These steps may include recommending one or more of these medications, which can help to prevent dryness of the cavity and infections:

The dressing with the medicine to put on the wound after the surgery.
Antibacterial mouth rinses or gels immediately before and after the surgery.
Antiseptic solutions to put over the wound.
Antibiotics by mouth, usually only if you have a weakened immune system.

What you can do after surgery

Your dentist or oral surgeon can give you instructions about what to expect during the healing process after a tooth extraction how to take care of the site. Proper at-home care after tooth removal to help with healing and prevent the damage to the wound. To help prevent the drying of the cavity, instructions will likely include:

Activity. After the surgery, the plan for the rest of that day. Follow the instructions of your dentist or oral surgeon about when you can return to your usual activities. Also follow the instructions on how much time you should avoid vigorous exercise and sports that may cause the blood clot to come out of the socket.
The management of pain. Put cold compresses on the outside of your face on the first day after the extraction of a tooth. After the first day, the hot packs can help. Cold and hot packs can help to reduce pain and swelling. Follow the instructions of your dentist or oral surgeon about to put the cold or the heat in his face. Take pain medications as prescribed.
Drinks. Drink plenty of water after the surgery. Avoid alcoholic, caffeinated, carbonated or hot beverages for the recommended time. Do not drink with a straw for at least a week. The suction action may cause the blood clot to come out of the socket.
Food. Eat only soft foods, such as yogurt or applesauce, for the first day. Be careful with cold water and hot liquids, or biting the cheek until the numbness wears off. When you feel ready, start eating foods that do not need a lot of chewing. Avoid chewing on the surgery side of his mouth.
The cleanliness of your mouth. After the surgery, you can gently rinse your mouth and brush your teeth, but avoid the site where the tooth was removed during the first 24 hours. After the first 24 hours, gently rinse your mouth with warm salt water several times a day for a week after the surgery. Mix 1/2 teaspoon (2.5 ml) of table salt in 8 ounces (237 milliliters) of water. Follow the instructions of your dentist or oral surgeon.
The consumption of tobacco. If you smoke or use tobacco, do not do so for at least 48 hours after the surgery and the time that can after that. The use of tobacco products after oral surgery may delay healing and increase the risk of complications.

Diagnosis

Severe pain after a tooth extraction is often enough for your dentist or oral surgeon to suspect dry socket. It is likely that it will ask if you have any other symptoms. Your dentist or oral surgeon can check their mouth to see if you have a blood clot in the tooth socket or if you have lost the clot and have exposed the bone.

You may need x-rays of the mouth and teeth to rule out other conditions, such as infection in the bone. X-rays can also show if you have small pieces of the root of the tooth or bone remaining at the site after the surgery.

Treatment

The treatment of dry socket focuses on the reduction of symptoms, especially pain. Treatment may include:

The washing of the cavity. Your dentist or oral surgeon can clean the socket to remove any food bits or other loose materials that can add a pain or a possible infection.
The dressing with the medicine. Your dentist or oral surgeon may pack the socket with a medicated gel or paste and a dressing room. These can provide a quick relief from pain. If you need dressing changes and how often, and if you need other treatment depends on the severity of your pain and other symptoms.
Medication for pain. Request that the pain is the best medicine for you. It is likely that you need a prescription for pain medication.
Self-care. Once your dentist or oral surgeon carries out the preparation, you may need to empty the socket in the home to keep it clean and improve healing. Your dentist or oral surgeon can give you instructions. You can get a plastic syringe with a curved tip to the stream of water, salt water, or a prescription rinse in the socket.

Once treatment begins, you may begin to feel some relief from the pain. The pain and other symptoms should continue to improve and will probably be gone in a couple of days. Even when you feel better, do not miss your appointments with your dentist or oral surgeon for wound dressing changes and other care.

Lifestyle and home remedies

You can help promote healing and reduce symptoms during the treatment of dry socket following the instructions for self-care. It is likely that it was said:

Take pain medications as prescribed.
Do not smoke or use tobacco products.
Drink plenty of fluids. This can also prevent the nausea caused by some medications for pain.
Rinse your mouth gently with warm salt water several times a day.
Brush your teeth gently around the dry socket of the area.
Be careful with eating or drinking. To prevent the clot comes out, avoid carbonated beverages and do not use a straw.

Preparing for your appointment

See your dentist or oral surgeon as soon as possible if you have new pain or pain that gets worse after a tooth extraction.

What you can do

To prepare for your appointment, make a list of:

The symptoms you have, including those that do not seem to be related to the reason for your appointment.
Key personal information,such as any medical conditions that you have.
All the medicines you take, including vitamins, herbs, or other supplements, and dosage.
Questions to ask your dentist or oral surgeon to make the most of your time together.

Some questions may include:

What are the likely causes of my pain?
Do I need any tests?
What kind of treatment will I need to improve my symptoms?
What can I take for the pain?
Is there a generic option for the medicine you're prescribing?
How soon will I feel better?
How long should I wait to eat or drink after this treatment?
Are there any restrictions I need to follow?
Are there brochures or other printed material I can have?
There are web sites that you recommend?

Feel free to ask questions during your appointment.

What to expect from your doctor

Your dentist or oral surgeon will likely ask you these questions:

When did the pain start?
Does the pain occur on its own? Or what happens when you drink or touch the area?
How would you rate the pain on a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being the most severe?
Where do you feel the pain?
Have you taken medication for the pain? How much and how often?
Has the pain medicine helped?
Do you have other symptoms that don't seem to be related to their dental pain?
Have you had a fever?

Be prepared to answer questions, so that you'll have time to talk about what's most important to you.