How To Prevent Dry Socket: Methods, Symptoms, And Seeking Help

Maybe your like

Medical News TodaySubscribeHow to prevent dry socket after a tooth extraction

Medically reviewed by Jennifer Archibald, DDS — Written by Hana Ames and Tom Rush — Updated on June 3, 2024

What is it?
Prevention
Symptoms
Treatment
Seeing a dentist
Summary

Dry socket is the common name for alveolar osteitis, inflammation within an empty tooth socket. To prevent it after a tooth extraction, people should avoid smoking, alcohol, and suction.

In this article, we explain what causes dry socket and how a person can prevent it. We also cover how to care for the mouth after a tooth extraction and when to see a dentist.

What is a dry socket?

Female Orthodontist Working Carefully On Mid Adult Patient And Sculpting Dentures. Ambient Electric Light — Elena Popova/Getty Images

After a tooth extraction, a blood clot usually forms over the tooth socket. This blood clot protects the nerve endings in the bone and is a normal part of the healing process.

However, in some cases, the blood clot either fails to form or becomes dislodged. As a result, the bone and nerves in the socket become exposed. Dry socket is delayed healing, and it can be very painful.

According to a 2018 article, dry socket occurs in about 1–5% of all tooth extractions and 38% of wisdom tooth extractions.

»MORE:Get care for dental pain in as little as 15 minutes with Optum Now Online Care.

Optum Now is operated by RVO Health. By clicking on this link, we may receive a commission. Learn more.

How to prevent dry sockets

A person should avoid doing anything that might disturb the blood clot after the tooth extraction. People should avoid the following:

Creating suction: Smoking and drinking through a straw can create suction. These activities could loosen the clot and delay healing.
Smoking: Smoking delays healing and also increases blood pressure, which can lead to more bleeding.
Vigorous mouth rinsing: People should take care not to rinse their mouth too vigorously. Rinsing the mouth is possible after a tooth extraction, but it is important to do it gently to avoid disturbing the blood clot.
Alcohol: A person should avoid alcoholic beverages or mouthwash containing alcohol for at least 24 hours to reduce the likelihood of the clot becoming dislodged. Alcohol can encourage extra bleeding and delay healing.
Physical activity: People should limit strenuous activity for the first 24 hours after the extraction to reduce bleeding and help the blood clot form.

Tooth extraction aftercare

It is important to follow the dentist’s aftercare instructions regarding how to take care of the extraction site, as this will lead to a better outcome.

If a person has any questions that the instructions do not cover, they should ask the dentist. The specific instructions may vary among dentists, but they are likely to include the following:

Do not spit or use a straw for 24 hours following a tooth extraction.
Avoid chewing on the side of the mouth where the extraction took place to minimize the chance of dislodging the blood clot.
Do not smoke for at least 24 hours, ideally 48 hours, after an extraction.
Choose soft foods rather than hard or crunchy foods, as this can reduce the risk of damaging the socket and getting food stuck in it.
Refrain from drinking carbonated or hot drinks, as both of these could cause displacement of the blood clot from the socket.

Learn more about tooth extraction aftercare here.

How to clean the mouth

To maintain good oral hygiene following a tooth extraction, people should continue to clean their other teeth as usual.

After the initial healing period, a warm water rinse can help to keep the tooth extraction site clean without direct physical impaction.

Symptoms of a dry socket

A person who has had a tooth extraction will feel discomfort, such as swelling and soreness. However, if the pain worsens or improves but returns a few days later, it may be due to a dry socket.

Other possible symptoms include:

blood clot missing from the socket
an aching or throbbing pain in a person’s gum or jaw, which can be intense and resemble that of severe toothache
an unpleasant smell from the empty socket
a bad taste coming from the socket
pain that radiates to the rest of a person’s face

Additionally, there could be exposed bone at the site of the extraction.

Treatment for dry sockets

Potential treatment options may include:

irrigating the extraction site to remove food and debris
taking medication to help with the pain, such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), which include ibuprofen
dentists can pack the extraction site with zinc oxide-eugenol paste to help reduce pain
dentists can also place a medicated dressing over the socket to protect it until it heals

When to see a dentist

If a person thinks that they may have a dry socket, they should make an appointment with their dentist. Treatment will help relieve pain and promote faster healing.

The dentist can also ensure the pain is not due to an infection instead of dry socket. An infection can lead to more serious issues, and it may spread into the bone, causing severe swelling. If this occurs, a person will require oral or even intravenous antibiotics to tackle the infection.

A person should see a dentist if they experience any of the following after a tooth removal:

fever
nausea
vomiting
pus from the extraction site
ongoing severe pain
persistent bleeding
ongoing swelling

Summary

Dry socket is a painful condition that can occur after a tooth extraction.

People should follow their dentist’s aftercare instructions to minimize the risk of developing dry socket.

The dentist is likely to advise the person to avoid smoking, using straws, eating hard foods, and rinsing the mouth too vigorously.

If pain around the extraction site worsens or does not improve in time, a person should see a dentist for treatment.

Dentistry
Pain / Anesthetics

How we reviewed this article:

SourcesMedical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We only use quality, credible sources to ensure content accuracy and integrity. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.

Alsaleh MK, et al. (2018). Alveolar osteitis: Patient's compliance with post-extraction instructions following permanent teeth extraction.https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30713183/?from_term=alveolar+osteitis&from_pos=5
Extractions. (n.d.).https://www.mouthhealthy.org/en/az-topics/e/extractions
Mamoun, J. (2018). Dry socket etiology, diagnosis, and clinical treatment techniques.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5932271/
Wisdom tooth removal. (2021).https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/wisdom-tooth-removal/

Share this article

Medically reviewed by Jennifer Archibald, DDS — Written by Hana Ames and Tom Rush — Updated on June 3, 2024

Latest news

5 healthy habits may help keep the brain younger, even with chronic pain
A 1-week social media break could boost your mental health
Certain changes in driving patterns may point to cognitive decline, dementia
Eating takeout food too often may increase cardiovascular disease risk
Between sleep and exercise, choose sleep, research suggests

Related Coverage

The duration of dry socketMedically reviewed by Christine Frank, DDS
Dry socket can last up to 7 days. It can occur after tooth extraction and causes symptoms, including intense pain. Learn more here.
READ MORE
How to get fast relief from dry socketMedically reviewed by Christine Frank, DDS
Dry socket occurs when a blood clot falls out of the extraction site of a recently pulled tooth. It can be very painful, but some home remedies can…
READ MORE
Tooth extraction aftercare and healing guide
Caring for the mouth and empty socket after a tooth extraction is vital to prevent painful complications. Learn about tooth extraction aftercare in…
READ MORE
What foods can I eat after wisdom tooth extraction?Medically reviewed by Jennifer Archibald, DDS
People should aim to eat soft or liquid foods after having a wisdom tooth removed. Learn about the best foods to eat after having this type of surgery…
READ MORE
Timeline and healing for wisdom tooth recoveryMedically reviewed by Jennifer Archibald, DDS
After wisdom teeth removal surgery, a person may take between a few days and a couple of weeks to recover fully. Learn more.
READ MORE

Tag » How To Avoid Dry Sockets

How To Prevent Dry Socket: Methods, Symptoms, And Seeking Help

Health Conditions

Health Products

News

Original Series

Podcasts

General Health

Health Tools

Quizzes

About Medical News Today

Find Community

Follow Us

What is a dry socket?

How to prevent dry sockets

Tooth extraction aftercare

How to clean the mouth

Symptoms of a dry socket

Treatment for dry sockets

When to see a dentist

Summary

How we reviewed this article:

Latest news

Related Coverage

How To Avoid Dry Socket After Tooth Removal – Our Tips & Advice

How To Prevent Dry Socket After Tooth Extraction: 6 Tips - Healthline

Dodging The Dreaded Dry Socket: Tips On Preventing This Painful ...

Dry Socket - Symptoms And Causes - Mayo Clinic

Dry Socket - Diagnosis And Treatment - Mayo Clinic

How To Avoid Dry Sockets After Your Wisdom Tooth Removal

Dry Socket: What It Is, Symptoms & Treatment - Cleveland Clinic

Tooth Pulled? Follow These 5 Tips To Avoid Dry Socket

7 Tips On How To Prevent Dry Socket [Tips For Fast Recovery)

An Overview Of Dry Socket - WebMD

6 Tips To Avoid Dry Socket After Teeth Extraction | Dental Blog

How To Reduce The Chance Of Dry Sockets

Avoiding Dry Socket After Wisdom Teeth Extraction

How To Prevent Dry Socket After Wisdom Teeth Removal - Sol Dental

Contact