Wisdom Teeth Removal & Dry Socket: Understanding Risks & Recovery

According to the Mayo Clinic, a dry socket is a dental condition that occurs temporarily after a person has a tooth extraction. The medical name for dry sockets is called alveolar osteitis. Essentially, a dry socket is a dislodged blood clot. The blood clot helps keep the bone from being exposed to food and air. If the blood clot is dislodged it's considered a dry socket.

Considerations

• According to a Family Gentle Dental Care, certain individuals are at greater risk of experiencing a dry socket. These individuals include people who smoke, people who don't properly care for the extraction site, and women who take birth control pills.

Symptoms

• Dry sockets are a common complication and many people experience the condition after having their wisdom teeth removed. The problem does not appear immediately after the tooth removal; it usually happens a couple of days later. Symptoms of a dry socket include significant pain, bad breath, unpleasant taste in the mouth, and swollen lymph nodes. You may see visible bone in the socket.

Prevention/Solution

• If you experience a dry socket after having wisdom teeth removed you should call your dentist for a follow-up appointment. Take any pain medications prescribed and gently rinse the mouth with warm saltwater several times a day.