15 Signs To Be Aware Of: Dry Socket Symptoms (List)

Dental conditions are typically among the most stressful due to the pain involved. For example, a dry socket, also known as alveolar osteitis, is a condition that can sometimes occur when a permanent tooth is extracted. A dry socket occurs when the blood clot that’s responsible for rebuilding the tissue and healing the wound fails to develop fully or falls off. The result is a socket exposed to the elements, resulting in extreme pain. A dry socket is more likely to occur after an upper tooth extraction due to gravity pulling the blood clot down. As the clot serves as a protective layer for the socket, having it removed before the wound can heal is a harrowing experience. Anyone who’s suffered through dry socket symptoms will tell you just how stressful of a condition it can be.

After all, it doesn’t just affect the inside of the socket, as the nerve endings there can radiate around the face. As such, it’s in your best interest to avoid a dry socket as much as possible. If you need more information regarding a dry socket, here are the most common symptoms associated with the dental condition.

Starts Two to Three Days After Extraction

The first thing to note when it comes to dry socket symptoms is that they usually start around two or three days after the extraction. During the first few days, the blood clot will still be there to act as a protective layer for your socket. At first, everything will be expected as the blood is still pooling around the wound. However, bad habits (or bad luck) will eventually dissolve the clot. Even with the blood clot dissolving early on, it will still take a little bit of time for actual dry socket symptoms to rise. The reason why it’s a good idea to understand the timing before a dry socket is because you understand what to expect. Knowing that the other symptoms of a dry socket can be harrowing can help you prepare yourself and to contact your dentist. Of course, expecting the pain to start could cause your body to feel specific symptoms earlier than usual.

At the very least, understanding the timing of a dry socket will help you make better preparations, especially with the following symptom on the list providing a crucial clue.