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Dry Socket is an infection of a tooth socket condition following a tooth removal. Also known as Alveolar Osteitis.
How dry socket happens
1. After extraction, the socket does not have a healthy blot clot.
2 Blood clot breaks down leaving bone and nerve exposed.
3 It becomes a food trap leading to infection.
Signs and Symptoms:
1 It is extremely painful
2 dry or whitish socket seen
3 there may be pus discharge.
3 Bad breath and unpleasant taste
4 patient may feel feverish
5 typically happens about two days after extraction
Patients predisposed to dry socket
1 Pre-existing infection
2 Difficult or traumatic removal of tooth
3 Smoking- is known to reduce blood supply to site
4 Dense jaw bones
5 Female who take birth control pills. Certain hormones may increase risk.
6 poor oral hygiene
7 repeated rinsing and spitting may increase risk of dry socket formation.
Treatment
1 Contact the dentist so that the extraction site can be cleaned.
2 He or she would plug the socket with a medicated paste
3 Dentist would prescribe antibiotics and painkillers.
4 Patient to gently rinse with anti bacterial mouthwash or warm saline water.
