We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Health

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What Are the Symptoms of Dry Socket?

By Natalie M. Smith
Updated: May 17, 2024
Views: 11,562
Share

Symptoms of dry socket include visible or tactile signs, such as an exposed hole in the mouth or swollen lymph nodes. Some patients also experience an unpleasant taste in their mouths or bad breath. As with many other health ailments, dry sockets might also cause severe pain at the site, which can radiate to nearby areas of the body.

A dental extraction, such as wisdom tooth removal, causes a blood clot to form over the extraction site. Dry socket, or alveolar osteitis, is a condition caused when the blood clot is removed, whether inadvertently or naturally, before the site has healed. Recognizing dry socket can be relatively easy, as the look of the condition often matches its namesake. The socket, or hole left in the bone after the extraction, might be dry and exposed, with the blood clot partially intact or missing altogether. Additionally, bone is sometimes visible in the socket.

Swollen lymph nodes might also be symptoms of dry socket. Lymph nodes swell in response to certain health conditions, and those around the jaw and neck might swell as a result of an infection in the mouth. Anything that enters the mouth can come in contact with or even become lodged in an exposed socket, making it prone to infection. An infection is often the cause of another symptom — severe pain.

After a tooth extraction, dental patients should expect to feel a certain amount of discomfort and pain for a few days. Pain that is severe, does not respond to prescribed medications, or lasts longer than a few days might be symptoms of dry socket. Dry sockets can also cause pain to spread to nearby areas, such as the ear, eye, and neck on the same side of the face as the extraction site.

Patients might also taste and smell symptoms of dry socket. The condition can cause a strange or unpleasant taste in the mouth. It might also emit a foul odor or cause bad breath.

Dry socket is the most common adverse side effect of tooth removal. Dentists recommend that patients follow their dentists' prescribed regimen after an extraction to prevent dry socket and other complications. They also recommend that patients who experience symptoms of dry socket seek professional attention, as at-home treatments do not resolve the issue. Fortunately, only a small percentage of dental patients develop the condition, and the process of treating dry socket is relatively short-term and mild.

Share
WiseGeek is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.

Editors' Picks

Discussion Comments
Share
https://www.wisegeek.net/what-are-the-symptoms-of-dry-socket.htm
Copy this link
WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.