Dry socket is a painful condition that can occur after tooth extraction. It happens when the blood clot that covers the wound becomes dislodged or doesn’t fully form. The exact cause of dry socket is still being studied, but researchers think that certain issues may be involved, such as bacteria that gets into the socket or injury at the surgical site when tooth removal is difficult. Risk factors that increase the chances of getting a dry socket include smoking, poor oral hygiene, wisdom teeth removal, greater-than-usual trauma during the tooth extraction surgery, use of birth control pills, and a history of dry socket after having teeth pulled.

Symptoms of dry socket may include severe pain within a few days after removing a tooth, loss of part or all of the blood clot at the tooth removal site, bone that you can see in the socket, and bad breath. If you have severe pain after a tooth extraction, see your dentist or oral surgeon. They will talk to you and examine you. You may need an x-ray to rule out other conditions such as osteomyelitis (a bone infection) .

To avoid dry socket after tooth removal, some tips and advice include avoiding using a straw for 24-48 hours after surgery, avoiding spitting vigorously after rinsing for 24-48 hours after extraction, avoiding smoking and using any kind of oral tobacco, and not brushing the extraction site directly for 3-4 days.