How To Tell if You Have A Dry Socket After Wisdom Tooth Removal

Reviewed by Dr. Thao Le, DDS, MD

Reading time: four minutes.

After wisdom tooth removal, it’s natural to feel concerned about complications. A common complication that you have probably heard of is a dry socket. 

This painful condition can hinder the healing process, so understanding the signs and how to prevent it is important for a smooth recovery.

In this blog, we will explore the indicators of this condition, how it differs from normal healing, and the best preventative measures.

Table of Contents

• What Is A Dry Socket?
• Signs of Dry Socket
• Dry Socket vs. Normal Healing
  • Healthy Healing
  • Dry Socket
• How to Prevent Dry Socket
• Foley & Le: Your Oral Surgeons in Boulder, CO
• FAQ About Dry Socket

What Is A Dry Socket?

Dry socket, also known as alveolar osteitis, occurs when the blood clot that forms after tooth extraction is dislodged or dissolves too early. This leaves the underlying bone and nerve endings exposed, leading to intense pain and potential infection.

Signs of Dry Socket

If you have a dry socket, it’s important that you let your dentist or oral surgeon know right away. Here’s what to watch for:

• Severe pain: Usually starting a few days after surgery, the pain can radiate to your ear, eye, temple, or neck on the same side as the extraction.
• Unpleasant taste and smell: A bad taste or smell coming from the extraction site is another indication.

Dry Socket vs. Normal Healing

It’s normal to experience mild pain and swelling after a wisdom tooth removal. Here are some symptoms to watch out for that could indicate a problem. 

Healthy Healing

• Mild to moderate pain that gradually improves in the days after surgery
• Swelling that subsides within a few days
• Blood clot forms and fills the socket
• No bad taste or foul odor

Dry Socket

• Intense pain that usually starts a few days after surgery (typically 3-4 days)
• Pain that radiates to your ear, jaw, or neck
• Visible bone in the socket
• Empty or partially empty socket
• Unpleasant taste or bad breath

How to Prevent Dry Socket

Though this complication can’t always be avoided, you can significantly reduce your risk by following these tips:

1. Follow post-operative instructions: Carefully follow your oral surgeon’s instructions. This includes guidelines on pain relief, oral hygiene, and dietary restrictions.
2. Don’t smoke: Tobacco products increase the risk of complications.
3. Protect the blood clot: Avoid spitting, using straws, or rinsing your mouth vigorously for the first few days after surgery. These actions can dislodge the blood clot.
4. Choose soft foods: Stick to soft foods like yogurt, applesauce, and mashed potatoes for the first few days. Avoid crunchy foods, food particles, or anything that could irritate the sockets after wisdom tooth removal.
5. Avoid carbonated drinks: The bubbles in carbonated drinks can disturb the blood clot and dislodge it.
6. Practice gentle oral hygiene: The evening of surgery, start gently rinsing your mouth with warm salt water several times a day. This helps keep the area clean and promotes healing.
7. Limit strenuous activity: Avoid strenuous activities like weightlifting or high-intensity interval training that could increase blood flow to the area and dislodge the blood clot.

Foley & Le: Your Oral Surgeons in Boulder, CO

If you had your wisdom teeth removed by one of our surgeons at Foley & Le Oral Surgery and suspect that you have a dry socket, contact our office. We will provide instructions on how to manage the pain and prevent further complications.

If you are searching for wisdom tooth removal or other surgical procedures in Boulder, CO, we can help! Call (303) 444-2255 to book an appointment or complete the online inquiry form.

FAQ About Dry Socket