Dry sockets usually occur 3 to 5 days after the extraction and can take 7 to 10 days to heal. Taking antibiotics may not be a treatment for dry sockets, as dry sockets do not result from bacterial infection. Many dentists consider dry sockets an emergency. Therefore, seeing a dentist as soon as possible is better if your tooth socket does not start healing and you experience severe pain 3 to 4 days after tooth extraction.