Dry socket is an infection in your tooth socket after a tooth is extracted.

The condition usually develops when a blood clot fails to form in the socket, or if the blood clot comes loose.

Dry socket occurs in approximately five percent of all tooth extractions. Normally, the blood clot that forms after a tooth is removed promotes healing, laying the foundation for the growth of new bone tissue.

When dry socket occurs, this blood clot is lost and the infected, inflamed socket appears empty – hence the name.

You may not have symptoms until three to five days after the extraction. Then, the condition will manifest itself as severe pain that doesn’t subside, often accompanied by what feels like an earache. You may also have an unpleasant taste in your mouth, and bad breath.

Call our practice right away if you notice any symptoms of dry socket and we can help you by placing a special pain relieving dressing in the socket, and giving you antibiotics.