After the extraction, a socket is formed, which is a hole in the bone. Clotting takes place to protect both the bone and nerves. A dry socket occurs when that blood clot is disturbed. The nerves and bone will be exposed to elements in your mouth, including food. This exposure often leads to an infection called a dry socket.
Patients who have gone through a tooth extraction can have a dry socket, which appears within three to four days after the procedure. One symptom of a dry socket is pain radiating to your ear, which does not go away even after taking medication.