What are The First Signs of a Dry Socket? Ask a Charleston SC General Dentist
A dry socket is one of the most painful things that can happen after a dental surgery. If you suspect that you have a dry socket, here are some of the signs to watch out for, and what you can do.
How Do Dry Sockets Develop?
When your tooth is extracted, your body forms a blood clot over the empty hole to help heal the underlying tissue and bone. If a blood clot forms, but is dislodged through a high-risk activity like smoking or consuming beverages through a straw, the patient will experience a dry socket. Dry sockets can also occur if the blood clot never forms at all.
Do I Have a Dry Socket?
If you have a dry socket, you will probably know via an intense pain that can’t be eased with over-the-counter painkillers. The pain is the result of the bone and nerves being exposed to the surface. The socket will become inflamed and may even fill with food debris, making the condition worse. Pain from a dry socket will usually manifest one or three days after the tooth is removed, or one to three days after the blood clot is dislodged.
Aside from the pain, other dry socket symptoms include:
- Visible bone in the socket
- Pain that radiates from the socket to your ear, eye, temple or neck on the same side of your face as the extraction
- Bad breath or a foul odor coming from your mouth
- Unpleasant taste in your mouth
How to Take Care of a Dry Socket
Obviously, your first priority will be scheduling an appointment with a local dentist as soon as possible. A dry socket is considered an emergency, and most dentists will be willing to accommodate you after hours. If your provider does not offer emergency dentistry services, a hospital or urgent care clinic should be able to provide you prescription painkillers that can control the pain until your next appointment.
What Your Dentist or Oral Surgeon May Do
In order to treat your dry socket, your dentist or oral surgeon will likely prescribe one of the following:
- Antibacterial mouthwashes or gels
- Oral antibiotics
- Antiseptic solutions applied to the wound
- Medicated dressings
Need a Charleston Emergency Dentist? Call Lowcountry Dental Arts
If you are experiencing a dry socket or other emergency dental condition, please give us a call. We have served hundreds of customers in the Charleston and James Island areas and are able to fix the toughest dental issues. To receive our general dentistry, family dentistry, cosmetic dentistry, and emergency dentistry services, request and appointment here.
