Nobody wants to lose their apparent perfect smile; however, in some circumstances, like severe infection or tooth decay, plucking your tooth out might just be the best way out. It is actually a pretty common procedure and completely safe. Having said that, there can be a little hiccup, a grave complication known as a dry socket. So, what is it exactly, and how long should you be worried about a dry socket after your extraction? Let’s find out.
What is a Dry Socket?
Following aftercare instructions is crucial for the healing process, which involves the formation of a blood clot after a few days to seal the socket. If, because of any reason, that clot or blood scab fails to form or dislodges prematurely, that condition is known as a dry socket.
Do not consider a dry socket as something you can easily deal with. It is an excruciatingly painful condition that also elongates your healing process. The open socket is a breeding ground for bacteria leading to severe infection of the gum or jaw bone.
Other than that, food particles are easily trapped in the gum hole sending zaps of sensitivity shocks along with long-term bad breath and extreme pain.
When Can You Stop Worrying About Developing A Dry Socket?
As long you can feel that your extraction spot is red or jiggly, you have to take care of it since there are high chances of dry socket formation.
Usually, you can stop worrying about the dry socket formation after passing the span of 7-10 days. This is the standard healing time of hum tissues. However, it may be more or less for some people depending on age, oral health, etc.
Look out for these symptoms:
- severe throbbing tooth pain
- bitter or bad taste in the mouth
- inflammation
- Constant high temperature or fever after tooth removal
What Does Dry Socket Look Like Inside Your Mouth?
The site of extraction where there is a dry socket formation looks different than a normal socket; it looks red, inflamed, swollen, and irritated. It is not easy to distinguish just by looking at a non-specialist.
Dry Socket – Symptoms
Experiencing a dry socket is not a pleasant situation; in fact, it is something no one would wish to happen. It occurs mostly within the next couple of days, right after having a tooth extraction.
It starts off as a sudden worsening of pain. Usually, the extraction sites are tender, and dry sockets have heightened inflammation and intense pain. It is far more than just your typical discomfort.
Here are some symptoms that pinpoint the situation.
- Throbbing, pulsating, and aching tooth pain worsened all of a sudden.
- Pain radiating from mouth to head.
- Clear signs of Inflammation or swelling in that area.
- Bad breath
- Bad taste in the mouth
Closing Note
Contact Pearland Family Dentistry to learn more about this. Talk to our team at (832) 649-7344. You can also come to meet us at 11508 Pearland Pkwy Suite 600, Houston, TX 77089.