If a few days have passed and you are experiencing intense pain or pain that gradually increases, then you may have a dry socket. After your teeth is pulled, a blood clot will form in the remaining socket to protect the jaw bone and underlying nerves. Dry sockets occur when this blood clot gets dislodged and exposes the bone and nerves to air, food, and fluid. Dry sockets are extremely rare and only a very small fraction of people experience dry sockets after wisdom teeth removal.
If you smoke, have poor oral hygiene, experience great trauma during the extraction, use birth control pills, or have a previous history of dry sockets, then you may have an increased risk of developing a dry socket. Drinking through a straw after your extraction or violent rinsing and spitting can also cause a dry socket to occur.
If a dry socket were to occur, our dentists will clean out the socket and then fill it with special medicine to prevent infection, reduce pain, and promote healing. Depending on your individual case, you may have to come back to our office every few days so we can monitor your progress and change the medication as needed.