Dry Socket ‘Alveolar Osteitis’
The experts at Smile Artistry can help you understand and deal with ‘dry sockets’ effectively. Here is what you need to know about the condition.
What is a dry socket?
The medical term for a dry socket is alveolar osteitis. The name is based on the fact that the condition is caused due to pain or sensitivity in the alveolar bone, the bone in which each tooth has its roots.
It is a common complication that occurs after a tooth has been pulled out by its roots. A blood clot ideally forms in the space created in the bone of the roots of the extracted tooth. If the clot fails to form, or is partially or totally dislodged from the area, it exposes the raw bone and causes pain as well as sensitivity.
What causes alveolar osteitis?
There are a number of reasons why you might experience the condition after a tooth has been extracted.
• Smokers experience the condition often due to the nicotine present in cigarettes
• Excessive trauma while extracting a tooth
• Poor oral and dental hygiene
• Use of birth control pills
• Extraction of wisdom teeth
Rinsing your mouth too often or using a straw to drink right after a tooth extraction can also lead to dry socket. As you can see, almost all the causes can be easily done away with or minimised by changing or altering a few habits.
Symptoms of Dry Socket include:
• Appearance of a whitish bone instead of a dark red clot where the tooth was removed
• Excessive pain after tooth extraction that does not subside in 2-3 days
• Pain can extend to the ears
• Bad breath
• Constant bad taste in the mouth
If you experience any of these symptoms, you should check with a dentist immediately, before it gets worse.
Treatment of dry socket
Treatment mainly includes:
• Gentle cleaning of the empty socket by the dentist to prevent infections
• The socket is filled with a healing medical paste to block the issue and speed up the healing process
• Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID)
• Mild aesthetics to numb the throbbing pain
It is extremely important that you seek treatment and follow-up with your dentist to ensure healing.
Visit Smile Artistry to treat alveolar osteitis
Dental experts can help you deal with dry socket effectively with accurate diagnosis, treatment and guidance. Doctors are experienced and you can rest assured that you are in able hands for solving your dental issues.
