Dry Socket

Dry socket (alveolar osteitis) is a condition where you experience intense pain due to the exposure of underlying bone and nerve in an empty tooth socket where a tooth used to be. Although uncommon, dry mouth can be experienced a few days after a tooth extraction, such as after the removal of an impacted wisdom tooth. This condition usually develops because the normal formation of a blood clot at the site of a tooth extraction, which protects the bone and nerves underneath, has become dislodged or has dissolved before the wound has cleared. Thus, the exposure of inner bones and nerves can cause you severe pain, not only in the empty socket but also along the sides of your face and to your ears as the pain radiates. This pain will probably not subside with over-the-counter medication so we therefore advise you to see your dentist or oral surgeon who would be able to suggest proper medication to relieve your pain and treatment to help healing. Fortunately, dry mouth is easily treatable, and the distinguished doctors at the Teeth & Skin Service Line at The Aga Khan University Hospital will be able to tend to your dental worries with great professionalism and ease.​

When to seek expert advise

It is normal to experience a certain amount of pain and discomfort after you have had a tooth extracted, and this can be treated with over-the-counter medication. However excessive pain that does not subside, is unresponsive to medication, and worsens with time should be addressed quickly. Contact your doctor or oral surgeon as soon as possible if you experience such pain after an extraction.​​

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