Tooth extraction is really the end of all painful evils, but is it, though? While you might think getting your tooth removed will stop pain and discomfort, it can, however, give rise to complications that cause more issues, one of such is a dry socket formation. You must be thinking, how is a normal socket any different from this after tooth extraction; let’s find out.
You are bound to have a hole – (normal socket) after getting your tooth pulled out, but it is soon replaced with a blood scab that protects the nerves underneath. However, a dry socket after tooth extraction vs. a normal one will cause intense pain.
What Causes A Dry Socket To Form?
The body’s normal response to the site of extraction is platelet clumping, with red blood cells forming a scab or clot to fill the hole. However, as far as a dry socket vs. normal is concerned, the former means that the body did not recover correctly.
But what does a dry socket look like? It looks more like a hollow area in the jaw with white boney protrusions sticking out. Moreover, the condition presents itself with intense pain that gets worse with time.
Some of the factors that can make you prone to develop a dry socket are:
- Clot dislodging by sucking action
- Smoking cigarettes
- Pre-existing infection
- Using straws for drinking
- Brushing at the site of action right away
Normal Vs. Dry Socket After Tooth Extraction
Here’s what a normal socket feels like:
- Pain is getting better with the passage of time.
- Blood clot/scab retains its place in the area where the tooth used to be.
- No appearance of bone sticking out.
- There is no trace of blood in the mouth.
- The mouth does not taste metallic or salty.
- No sign of halitosis – bad mouth odor.
Dry socket:
- Intense throbbing pain that gets better in episodes and then worsens.
- Dislodging of blood clot due to suction action.
- Presence of white-colored bone coming out from the jaw area.
- Bad taste in mouth.
- Halitosis.
Can A dry Socket Heal Itself?
The good news is that a dry socket can heal on its own. However, since the pain is unbearable, patients often resort to professional help, which is why we urge you not to take the situation lightly.
If you can’t get in touch with a dentist immediately, follow these steps to deal with the pain.
Salt water rinse
Salt and water solution is a holy grail for the oral cavity. It is an antibacterial and anti-inflammatory agent that helps ease the pain to a great extent.
Use of Ice Packs
Using ice packs on the outer side of the extraction site can help ease the pain.
Clove Oil For relief
The buds are useful in quenching out essential oil that is more potent in showing antibacterial and anti-inflammatory responses.
Honey
It soothes the pain and fast-tracks healing by forming a layer of protection for the contents inside the socket.
OTC painkillers
Medicines like Tylenol cannot heal a dry socket but can help a great deal when it comes to managing pain caused by it.
Summing Up
If you feel that the pain in your mouth is not getting better or the healing process is going slower than you should contact the dentists from Lone Star Dental if you live in the vicinity of Humble, Texas. Our experts will be more than happy to help.