Tooth extraction pain and dry socket
Following a tooth extraction, you may experience some discomfort or pain for a few days. This is a normal part of the healing process, but if your pain worsens or lasts more than a few days, there could be cause for further treatment.
What causes pain after a tooth extraction?
When your tooth is extracted, the surrounding bone and gum is disturbed, causing some trauma. The site of extraction will typically become inflamed (swollen) as it heals. While this is normal, it may be uncomfortable or painful.
Often, the worst of the pain will pass over the first three days following the procedure. Aftercare should continue for at least five days, or as prescribed by your dentist.
In order to heal properly, the site of extraction will need to develop a blood clot. This will happen naturally over the first 24 hours, however it’s crucial you avoid dislodging the clot, as this will reopen the wound and cause what’s known as “dry socket”.
Headaches, a sore throat, or pain around the temples, jaw or neck, may be a result of tension or swelling following your dental extraction and should pass in 1-3 days.
If pain worsens or lasts more than three days, contact the team at Kowhai Dental to discuss pain management or further treatment.
What is dry socket?
Dry socket is a painful condition that can happen following a tooth extraction. It occurs when a blood clot fails to develop, dislodges or dissolves before the extraction wound is healed.
A blood clot is necessary for healing following extraction, because it protects the underlying bone and nerve endings in the empty tooth socket. When the clot fails, the exposed nerve endings can cause severe pain not just in the socket, but radiating across the side of your face.
If dry socket occurs, you’ll usually feel worsening pain within a few days of the extraction.
Key symptoms of dry socket include:
Intense pain radiating from the socket to your ear, eye, temple or neck
A visible socket (partial or total loss of blood clot)
A deeply unpleasant taste in your mouth
Food or debris accumulating in the empty socket
Acute swelling around the socket
Slight fever.
Dry socket must be treated by a dentist, as you will typically need the site cleaned, medicated and dressed. Your dentist may also prescribe pain relief relative to the severity of your pain.
What level of pain is normal after a tooth extraction?
While it’s normal to experience pain after an extraction, your dentist will prescribe pain relief to help you through your recovery process with minimal discomfort.
Some throbbing, as well as sensitivity in and around the socket, is normal following extraction.
The amount of pain and length of recovery time can differ depending on the tooth extracted. For example, an impacted wisdom tooth is likely to require a complicated extraction, which might cause more intense, lasting pain.
If your pain is severe or worsens, it’s a good idea to let your dentist know as soon as possible.
Treating dry socket at home
While dry socket needs to be addressed by your dentist, you can manage pain at home with over-the-counter medication such as ibuprofen, which will reduce swelling and inflammation.
For further help with swelling, press a cold compress, such as an ice pack wrapped in a towel, to the side of your face.
To speed up your recovery, be sure to follow your dentist’s aftercare instructions carefully and don’t overexert yourself.
When to see a dentist
Following a tooth extraction, it’s normal to feel some discomfort. However, if you experience any of the following symptoms, it’s time to see a dentist:
Severe, worsening or sudden pain
Continued pain after three days
You can see the exposed (dry) socket
Noticeable bad breath
Pain spreading to your temple, neck, eye or ear.
Call Kowhai Dental on 09 430 0707 or book an appointment online and we’ll help you manage post-extraction pain as quickly as possible.
What to expect during the consultation
When you come to Kowhai Dental for pain or dry socket following a dental extraction, we’ll examine the wound for signs of a blood clot, infection or debris.
If dry socket has occurred, your dentist will usually irrigate the wound to remove debris and apply a medicated dressing. This dressing often provides immediate relief and will likely need replacing every fews days until recovery is complete.
Where dry socket hasn’t occurred, we may provide stronger pain relief to assist your comfortable recovery, or investigate further if we have cause for concern.
