Hi dental fans in today's video I’m going to explain what a dry socket is, some of the
reasons why it happens, ways to avoid it, and how to treat it.
Hi, I’m Dr. Rich, a general dentist with over twenty years of experience. On this channel
I’m helping you learn about dentistry and teeth so that you can have a very nice smile.
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In simple terms dry socket means that the extraction socket after you have a tooth pulled
is empty. There is no blood clot and you can see the jawbone. The technical term for dry
socket is alveolar osteitis. Without the blood clot to protect the jawbone, the bone will
become very painful. The pain usually starts about three days after having a tooth removed.
It’s not a serious condition since it’s not an infection, but it really hurts and
it takes longer to heal than normal. So why does dry socket happen? Well there
are various theories about that and researchers don’t think there is just one answer. One
possibility is that the blood clot falls out of the socket before it has a chance to secure
itself. That’s the reason why you’re told not to rinse, spit, drink through a straw,
or smoke after you have a tooth pulled. All those things can cause the blood clot to dislodge.
So you’re probably thinking, no problem, I’ll follow the instructions for after an
extraction to a Tee and I won’t get a dry socket.
Well….., it's not that simple. Another possible cause of dry socket is your body dissolving
the blood clot on it’s own too early. Now why would that happen?
Well, here are some possible causes. If it was a difficult tooth extraction, especially
if it was a surgical extraction, you are more likely to develop dry socket.
If your dentist is inexperienced in extracting teeth, you are more likely to get a dry socket.
If you had an impacted lower wisdom tooth removed, you are more likely to get a dry
socket. If you are a woman you are more likely to
get a dry socket. If you are a woman taking birth control pills,
you are more likely to get a dry socket. If you are a smoker, you are more likely to
get a dry socket. If you have a pre-existing infection, like
an abscessed tooth or gum disease, you are more likely to get a dry socket.
If you are over the age of twenty four you are more likely to get a dry socket.
So now you’re probably thinking, I’m doomed, I’m going to get a dry socket if I get a
tooth pulled. Well, it’s not so bad. You only have a five
percent chance of getting a dry socket after having a tooth pulled. The chance does go
up to thirty seven percent if it’s a lower wisdom tooth.
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So what can you do to decrease your chances of getting a dry socket?
Well one way to reduce your chance of getting dry socket is to rinse with chlorhexidine
the day you get your tooth pulled and for several days afterwards. Chlorhexidine is
a prescription strength mouthwash also called Peridex. Studies have shown that using it
can reduce the chance of getting a dry socket by fifty percent. The downside is that you
need a prescription from your dentist for it, and it will stain your teeth. But don’t worry,
the stain cleans up easily at your next dental cleaning.
Lastly, let's talk about how to treat dry socket. Unfortunately there is no great cure
for dry socket other than time. If you do get a dry socket, your dentist will most likely
have you come into the office and they will rinse out the socket, either with saline solution or
chlorhexidine. They may put a medicated dressing into the socket such as dry socket paste or
Alvogyl. The medicated dressing doesn’t help the dry socket heal faster, but it usually
helps to deaden the pain from it. They will most likely give a prescription for a strong
pain killer as well so that you can get to sleep at night. I know some dentists will
try to get a new blood clot to form in the socket, hoping that will make it heal faster.
The downside is that it makes the socket hurt even more, and it’s debatable if it heals
faster. Usually, whatever way a dry socket is treated or not treated, it takes about
a week to heal. It’s best to try and avoid getting a dry socket.
So tell me, have you ever had a dry socket? What was it like? What did you have done to
have it treated? Let me know in the comments down below.
Thank you very much for watching and I’ll see you in the next video.