Severe pain after tooth extraction can be a dry socket. After a tooth is an extraction a blood clot forms that seals the wound at the extraction site. Alveolar osteitis, commonly known as “dry socket” occurs if the formation of the blood clot is disturbed or lost from the wound before it becomes stabilized by the ingrowth of the healing tissues.

A dry socket can be painful because the underlying bone and nerves are exposed to air and food debris, leading to inflammation or infection of the socket. If you are experiencing a dry socket, make an appointment with an emergency dentist in Brisbane or with the dentist who did the extraction if they have available appointments. Dry socket pain can be treated by a dentist.

A dry socket is usually signalled through severe pain after tooth extraction. If you have recently had one of your teeth extracted, chances are you experience a dry socket. After tooth extraction, a blood clot begins to form in the tooth socket within minutes. A dry socket occurs if the blood clot is lost and the socket becomes inflamed. Dry socket pain is notorious for its severity.

A dry socket is characterised by:

• Throbbing pain following a tooth extraction
• Severe pain that radiates to other parts of your face, such as your ear or neck 2 or 3 days after you had your tooth pulled
• Experiencing bad breath and unpleasant taste in your mouth
• Visible, exposed bone in the socket
• A missing blood clot at the tooth extraction site

Your pain and discomfort may start right after the extraction or two or three days after having your tooth extracted and can continue for several days.

Dry socket is painful but treatable; visit a dentist so they can treat the dry socket so that the normal healing process can continue.

While dry socket is a common dental complication, it does not necessarily happen to anyone who has their tooth extracted, and it only occurs to almost 2% to 5% of people.

You will be at a higher risk of getting a dry socket after wisdom tooth extraction.

Some people have an increased risk of developing dry sockets; therefore, the dry socket will most probably occur to those with one or all of the following factors.

• Smoking: Chemical toxins of cigarettes can be pretty harmful to you, especially after tooth extraction. It may delay the healing process and lead to severe complications such as dry socket and infection. Besides, inhaling and exhaling air can interfere with blood clot formation.
• Not having proper: Poor at-home care and improper oral hygiene can also lead to dry sockets. Food particles or debris may get stuck in the socket and cause infection and severe pain.
• Taking birth control pills: High estrogen levels in some contraceptive pills may increase the risk of getting a dry socket.
• Using a straw: Drinking from a straw may result in the blood clot dislodging and lead to dry socket formation.
• Having had a dry socket before: If you have experienced a dry socket in the past, you might develop a dry socket again.
• A traumatic tooth extraction surgery: Complications during the surgery can sometimes lead to getting dry sockets after tooth extraction.

You may also be more prone to getting dry sockets if you have underlying bone issues, clotting problems, or gum disease.

Here are some tips to prevent dry socket formation after you have a tooth extracted.

• Try to avoid smoking before and after the tooth extraction to lower your risk of developing this painful dental condition.
• Maintain proper oral hygiene at home; ask your dentist for necessary oral care instructions to avoid dry sockets as much as possible.
• Avoid drinking out of a straw as the suction action may interfere with blood clot formation, or it may cause the clot to partially or entirely dislodge.
• Choose an expert in the area of tooth extraction, especially when it comes to wisdom teeth removal.
• Some over-the-counter medications or supplements disrupt blood clot formation; inform your dentist if you’re taking such medications before the procedure begins.
• Do not rinse or spit after you have your tooth pulled, as they may increase the risk of getting a dry socket.

Warm saltwater

dissolve ½ teaspoon of salt into a cup of warm water. Swish this around in your mouth for a minute, or use it to flush out the dry socket with a syringe provided by your dentist. Repeat this at least three times per day or after food.

Cold and heat therapy

After removing the tooth, to reduce swelling, use cold packs against your face for fifteen minutes at a time within the first 24 hours. After this time, use heat in the form of warm washcloths to manage the pain.

Heat may help with soothing the dry socket pain. And cold temperature can help numb your nerves. Test both cold and hot to find out which temperature works best for you. Use warm (not hot) and place it against the cheek where you’re feeling the dry socket pain.

Clove oil

Clove oil contains eugenol and has anesthetic, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial properties. Clove oil can soothe dry socket pain and prevent the spread of infections. It may be used in commercial dry socket treatment pastes. Clove oil may have side effects, do not use it without medical consultation. The side effects of clove oil may include:

• Skin irritation skin or rash
• sore or swollen gums

if you are not allergic to clove oil, you may apply it to sterile gauze and apply it directly to the affected area. Keep the gauze on for less than 20 minutes at a time to make sure you won’t experience side effects.

Honey

Honey dressings for dry sockets can result in a reduction in pain, inflammation, edema and discomfort. Honey may also prevent further infection.

To use honey for dry sockets, put raw honey on a clean sterile gauze and place it on the affected area. You can change the gauze every few hours and repeat it if it is helping.

Black tea bags

Black tea contains tannic acid. Tannic acid possesses antiviral, antimicrobial, and antibacterial properties. It may reduce both swelling and pain.

To use black tea, put a teabag in a cup of boiling water for five (5) minutes. Remove it from water and squeeze the excess water out after it’s cooled. The teabag should be cooled or it may not be effective. Pop the tea bag in the refrigerator (not the freezer), and use it like a cold compress.

Bite down on the tea bag gently and keep it in place for about 15 minutes. Rinse your mouth with the remaining cool tea after 15 minutes.

Tea tree oil

Tea tree oil has antiseptic, antibacterial, and analgesic characteristics. Tea tree oil is available from COLES supermarkets. Use pure tea tree oil (not products containing tea tree oil). Add pure tea tree oil to a clean sterile gauze and place it over the dry socket.

Pure teat tree oil is strong. You can mix a drop or two of tea tree oil with honey or black tea and apply the gauze to reduce the possibility of irritation.

Oregano oil

Oregano oil also has antibacterial properties. You can apply it directly to the painful area, or put some of it on sterile gauze and put the gauze over the dry socket several times a day.

Chamomile tea

Chamomile is an antioxidant and has anti-inflammatory properties. It can help soothe swelling and dry socket pain. Use chamomile tea bags like black tea. Place the teabag in boiling water for five minutes then let it cool down and apply the tea bag to the affected area for 15 minutes. You can also sip on the tea when it has cooled.

Your dentist oral surgeon may also ask you to follow these steps to lower the risks of developing a dry socket:

1. Take oral antibiotics.
2. Apply antiseptic solutions to the wound.
3. Use anti-bacterial mouthwash both before and after the surgery.
4. Take a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug like ibuprofen or aspirin.
5. Avoid cigarettes or other tobacco products.

Warm saltwater

dissolve ½ teaspoon of salt into a cup of warm water. Swish this around in your mouth for a minute, or use it to flush out the dry socket with a syringe provided by your dentist. Repeat this at least three times per day or after food.

Cold and heat therapy

After removing the tooth, to reduce swelling, use cold packs against your face for fifteen minutes at a time within the first 24 hours. After this time, use heat in the form of warm washcloths to manage the pain.

Heat may help with soothing the dry socket pain. And cold temperature can help numb your nerves. Test both cold and hot to find out which temperature works best for you. Use warm (not hot) and place it against the cheek where you’re feeling the dry socket pain.

Clove oil

Clove oil contains eugenol and has anesthetic, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial properties. Clove oil can soothe dry socket pain and prevent the spread of infections. It may be used in commercial dry socket treatment pastes. Clove oil may have side effects, do not use it without medical consultation. The side effects of clove oil may include:

• Skin irritation skin or rash
• sore or swollen gums

if you are not allergic to clove oil, you may apply it to sterile gauze and apply it directly to the affected area. Keep the gauze on for less than 20 minutes at a time to make sure you won’t experience side effects.

Honey

Honey dressings for dry sockets can result in a reduction in pain, inflammation, edema and discomfort. Honey may also prevent further infection.

To use honey for dry sockets, put raw honey on a clean sterile gauze and place it on the affected area. You can change the gauze every few hours and repeat it if it is helping.

Black tea bags

Black tea contains tannic acid. Tannic acid possesses antiviral, antimicrobial, and antibacterial properties. It may reduce both swelling and pain.

To use black tea, put a teabag in a cup of boiling water for five (5) minutes. Remove it from water and squeeze the excess water out after it’s cooled. The teabag should be cooled or it may not be effective. Pop the tea bag in the refrigerator (not the freezer), and use it like a cold compress.

Bite down on the tea bag gently and keep it in place for about 15 minutes. Rinse your mouth with the remaining cool tea after 15 minutes.

Tea tree oil

Tea tree oil has antiseptic, antibacterial, and analgesic characteristics. Tea tree oil is available from COLES supermarkets. Use pure tea tree oil (not products containing tea tree oil). Add pure tea tree oil to a clean sterile gauze and place it over the dry socket.

Pure teat tree oil is strong. You can mix a drop or two of tea tree oil with honey or black tea and apply the gauze to reduce the possibility of irritation.

Oregano oil

Oregano oil also has antibacterial properties. You can apply it directly to the painful area, or put some of it on sterile gauze and put the gauze over the dry socket several times a day.

Chamomile tea

Chamomile is an antioxidant and has anti-inflammatory properties. It can help soothe swelling and dry socket pain. Use chamomile tea bags like black tea. Place the teabag in boiling water for five minutes then let it cool down and apply the tea bag to the affected area for 15 minutes. You can also sip on the tea when it has cooled.

Your dentist oral surgeon may also ask you to follow these steps to lower the risks of developing a dry socket:

1. Take oral antibiotics.
2. Apply antiseptic solutions to the wound.
3. Use anti-bacterial mouthwash both before and after the surgery.
4. Take a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug like ibuprofen or aspirin.
5. Avoid cigarettes or other tobacco products.