<h3 data-start="261" data-end="286">What Is Dry Socket?</h3>
<p data-start="287" data-end="599">Dry socket, also known as <strong data-start="313" data-end="334">alveolar osteitis, is a painful complication that can occur after a tooth extraction&mdash;most often involving wisdom teeth. It happens when the protective blood clot that forms in the empty tooth socket becomes dislodged or dissolves too soon, exposing the underlying bone and nerves.

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<h3 data-start="606" data-end="625">Common Causes</h3>
<ul data-start="626" data-end="884">
<li data-start="626" data-end="726">
<p data-start="628" data-end="726"><strong data-start="628" data-end="651">Premature clot loss due to rinsing too hard, spitting forcefully, or sucking through a straw

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<li data-start="727" data-end="788">
<p data-start="729" data-end="788"><strong data-start="729" data-end="755">Smoking or tobacco use, which interferes with healing

</li>
<li data-start="789" data-end="839">
<p data-start="791" data-end="839"><strong data-start="791" data-end="812">Poor oral hygiene following the extraction

</li>
<li data-start="840" data-end="884">
<p data-start="842" data-end="884"><strong data-start="842" data-end="856">Infections or trauma during recovery

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</ul>
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<h3 data-start="891" data-end="918">Symptoms to Watch For</h3>
<ul data-start="919" data-end="1140">
<li data-start="919" data-end="1018">
<p data-start="921" data-end="1018">Intense pain that starts a few days after extraction and may radiate to the ear, jaw, or temple

</li>
<li data-start="1019" data-end="1049">
<p data-start="1021" data-end="1049">Visible bone in the socket

</li>
<li data-start="1050" data-end="1085">
<p data-start="1052" data-end="1085">Foul taste or odor in the mouth

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<li data-start="1086" data-end="1140">
<p data-start="1088" data-end="1140">Swelling and tenderness around the extraction site

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</ul>
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<h3 data-start="1147" data-end="1178">How to Prevent Dry Socket </h3>
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<li data-start="1179" data-end="1249">
<p data-start="1181" data-end="1249">Follow all <strong data-start="1192" data-end="1229">post-extraction care instructions from your dentist

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<li data-start="1250" data-end="1330">
<p data-start="1252" data-end="1330">Avoid smoking, spitting forcefully, or using straws for at least 48&ndash;72 hours

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<li data-start="1331" data-end="1395">
<p data-start="1333" data-end="1395">Keep the mouth clean with gentle rinsing after the first day

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<li data-start="1396" data-end="1454">
<p data-start="1398" data-end="1454">Maintain a soft-food diet until initial healing begins

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</ul>
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<h3 data-start="1461" data-end="1484">Treatment Options</h3>
<p data-start="1485" data-end="1531">If you develop dry socket, your dentist may:

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<li data-start="1532" data-end="1559">
<p data-start="1534" data-end="1559">Clean the affected area

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<li data-start="1560" data-end="1626">
<p data-start="1562" data-end="1626">Apply a medicated dressing to soothe pain and protect the bone

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<li data-start="1627" data-end="1663">
<p data-start="1629" data-end="1663">Recommend pain relief medication

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<li data-start="1664" data-end="1700">
<p data-start="1666" data-end="1700">Monitor healing progress closely

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</ul>
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<h3 data-start="1707" data-end="1727">Final Thoughts</h3>
<p data-start="1728" data-end="1931">Dry socket can be extremely uncomfortable, but with the right care and preventive steps, it&rsquo;s often avoidable. If you experience severe pain after a tooth extraction, seek dental attention immediately.



<p data-start="1933" data-end="2073">Learn more at <strong data-start="1947" data-end="1971">Oral Health Insights:<br data-start="1972" data-end="1975" />https://www.oralhealthinsights.com/dry-socket/