Dry socket is a very painful dental condition that you won’t have to worry about until you get a tooth extracted. In fact, wisdom teeth extraction is one of the most common procedures associated with dry socket. While you will certainly be given a list of instructions for avoiding dry socket after tooth removal, it is important to understand exactly what the condition entails and the risks involved.

While most extraction procedures involve a simple oral surgery and smooth recovery, they do pose the risk of dry socket. Dry socket, also called alveolar osteitis, is a condition that can develop if the blood clot after tooth removal does not form or gets disturbed. This can create significant pain for the patient. Fortunately, there are ways to prevent this as well as treat dry socket if the condition occurs. (more…)