Dry Socket is a very painful condition which is a result of dislodgement of the blood clot 2-3 days after the extraction and looking at Dry Socket pictures gives you an idea of whether it is really a Dry Socket or just a healing Socket after extraction. This leads to exposure of the bone which is the cause of the pain. Dry socket leads to radiating pain which can be felt at the site, extra orally as well with pain in the ears and the side of the head. Dry socket after wisdom tooth removal is seen more commonly as compared to other teeth due to the surgical procedure which is followed such as removal of bone etc.
In the Normal healing process, the Blood clot is present in the socket which gives the bone a chance to fill in the empty socket space overtime. With the loss of clot, the socket and bone are exposed delaying healing which leads to the excruciating pain felt by the patients. You can check here the complete details about – “Dry Socket or Alveolar Osteitis“
Dry Socket Tooth Extraction Symptoms:
Severe Radiating Pain to the Ear or other parts of the face.
The socket is devoid of clot or contains brown, friable clot which is easily washed out.
Foul smell: Due to Food debris accumulated in the socket which starts disintegrating.
On washing away of the food debris the bare pocket floor can be seen which is extremely sensitive to touch.
Regional Lymph nodes: Tender and enlarged.
Occasionally Pyrexia is seen.
dry socket formation
With the main reason for Dry Socket being loss of Blood clot it is important that the main emphasis on treating Dry socket be restoring the Blood clot in the extraction site which will help in starting the healing process. If you are a Dental Student looking for how a dry socket looks or a patient suffering from dry socket, the set of images listed below is how a dry socket looks clinically. Normal socket after a tooth extraction should be without any food particles being stuck in it along with a healthy blood clot.
Dry Socket With Necrotic Bone
In the Images shown above and below, it is clearly visible that there is a loss of Blood clot from the extraction site as the necrotic bone is clearly visible which is a typical appearance of Dry Socket. Clinically we can also see that there is a foul smell being emitted from the site another typical sign of Dry Socket.
Dry socket with unhealed Socket
The image shown below shows the presence of slough or necrotic substance in the extraction site which is a sign that the extraction site is not healing and it is infected. This infection leads to loss of normal healing tissue and in turn loss of blood clot and exposure of bone. So treatment in such cases required copious irrigation of the extraction site and the use of a ZOE pack after the site is cleaned and bleeding is instigated to help in future blood clot formation.
Necrotic tissue or Slough formation in extraction site of Dry Socket
Who are more likely to get Dry Socket?
Here are some of the habits of things when done is likely to result in Dry Socket. So it is important to note that the things mentioned below are to be avoided at any cost to help in proper healing and prevent Dry Socket formation after extraction.
Smoking – It is a strict “NO” after Tooth extraction, it is seen that the major percent of Dry socket patients are known to be smoking after extraction. It is best to avoid smoking for a couple of days after extraction.
Poor Oral Hygiene: This is also one of the major causes of Dry socket, it is important to maintain good oral hygiene after tooth extraction.
History of Dry Socket: Patients who have earlier faced Dry socket are more likely to get dry socket.
Oral Contraceptive Pills: Patients on Contraceptive pills are seen to get Dry Socket.
Increased Bone cutting and Trauma during Wisdom tooth removal:
Aggressive rinsing immediately after extraction, drinking with a straw: These are two things which result in dislodgement of the Blood clot in the Socket and exposure of the bone which is one of the causes of Dry Socket.
It is important to note that the above mentioned points are to be avoided at any cost the make sure that you do not get Dry Socket.
Dry Socket with Slough formation – The slough seen is the cause of the Foul smell and Foul taste which you experience in Dry Socket.
Dry Socket in the upper left 2nd molar
It is very important for a Dentist to keep regular followups with the patients after extraction to make sure that any initial signs of Dry socket formation are detected and treated. The patient needs to follow all the post-extraction instructions given by the Dentist to the point and make sure that no instruction is taken for granted which might lead to a Dry Socket formation.
Hi I got my bottom left wisdom tooth pulled and the tooth beside it filled 36 hours ago,it was fine until yesterday it started to hurt now today I have a thropping pain but its not to painful.Could this be the start of dry socket
Hi Sharon,
Are still on your medication (pain killers)? If the pain is mild it is quite normal as it has just been 36 hours after the extraction and it takes a few days for the socket to heal. If there is any increase in pain, make sure you get it checked.
Hi Dr. Varun,
I had my two bottom wisdom teeth extracted 4 days ago. I had minimal pain on days 1 and 2, but on day 3 I woke up with very bad pain on just my right side, And pain killers did not help to ease it. It is now day four and my left side does not hurt at all but my right side is still very painful with no help from painkillers. I sneaked a peak and noticed that my left side was a dark red colour, but my right side looked like a big hole that I could see down into. Is this normal to have increased pain on days 3 and 4? And when should I expect the pain to start getting better? Thank you so much for your time
Hi i just got tooth pulled yesterday at 3pm and well i looked in mirror saw no blood cot and i see pure white bone and it looks like my jaw bone and holes on each side of it today it looks more tan i swear yesterday it looked like my jaw bone but today it looks darker Ian freaking out cause my dentist told me NOTHING he can do about dry socket nothing so ugggh
Hey Nikki,
There is nothing to worry about until you follow the precautions which are told by the Dentist. Do not smoke, Drink hot stuff or gargle for 24 hours after extraction. You will be feeling a little bit of pain for 2 days but if you feel severe pain, radiating to the head or ear on the affected side you can visit your dentist immediately.
Help…
Hi I had one of my upper back teeth taken out and had a dry socket. A week later they had to cut out the scar tissue as it was infected which didn’t help the pain. Which I am still in 4 weeks later. But two weeks after the first tooth taken out I had to have another on taken out thearly other side same place. Guess what another dry socket. So 4 weeks on on lots of pain and nothing is helping.
What can I do
Tina
Recurrence in patients with history of Dry socket is 70-75%, all you can do is make sure you follow all the post extraction precautions given by the Doctor and take medication for pain to subside. Your Dentist will clean the socket and apply a ZOE pack to ease the pain.
I had a tooth cut out last Thursday,it’s Tuesday now,I have no dry socket,but my gums hurt very bad,and my left side tongue is still numb,my ear hurts and no rest,is this normal
Is only your tongue numb or the whole of left side ? If that is the case then it might be parathesia of the lingual nerve.
Hi,
I had one of my upper left molars removed eight days ago. I’ve had some pain here and there but pain meds have taken them away. Today however while I was drinking I felt something come away from the site and I’ve noticed the whitish cover I had covering there has gone. Have I removed the blood clot? Looking in my mouth now I have a hole and it is dark, nearer a black colour with a bit of white/grey covering part of it. I can’t see other holes in the main hole where the tooth roots would be. Would it have healed enough at this point to mean I’m not likely to get dry socket?
Thank you in advance for any advice you’re able to give me.
Hi,
I had one of my upper left molars removed eight days ago. I’ve had some pain here and there but pain meds have taken them away. Today however while I was drinking I felt something come away from the site and I’ve noticed the whitish cover I had covering there has gone. Have I removed the blood clot? Looking in my mouth now I have a hole and it is dark, nearer a black colour with a bit of white/grey covering part of it. I can’t see other holes in the main hole where the tooth roots would be. Would it have healed enough at this point to mean I’m not likely to get dry socket.
Thank you in advance for any advice you’re able to give me.
Hi Amy,
As it has been eight days there is nothing to worry about, the whitish cover which you have seen is not blood clot, there is no need to worry as the healing process has crossed the stage where it would turn into Dry Socket. Just make sure that there is no foul smell and pain from the extraction site and make sure to gargle swiftly with water after eating anything so that it does not get stuck in the socket site.
Do visit your dentist if you experience any pain or foul smell emitting from the extraction socket.
Hi Doctor Varun, I had an extraction last Thursday, I am still taking Panadol every four hours as I have throbbing where the extraction was and in the jaw and ear. I tried looking at the site but I see only pale loose grey, white skin around site. It seems to be covering the actual hole. Public holiday time here and no dentist are open, how ever I can get to a doctor. Would the doctor be able to help me?
Hi Judy, is it this thursday or last thursday ? Throbbing pain is a bit common for 3-4 days if not severe there is nothing to worry. But if it was last thursday it is important to get it checked. Check for any emergency dentist online near your place who might be open.
From the description of the extraction site it appears like it is healing properly. Is the pain subsiding on taking Panadol or is it the same ?
I just had my tooth pulled 3 hours ago. It was clotting up a bit but I could taste blood in my mouth so I put another gauze in and when I took it out there is NO CLOT. I can see a white square-ish shape in the middle where the tooth was. Maybe bone? I think I bit down on the last gauze and the clot stuck to it and pulled it out. Is this dry socket???
As it is just 3 hours back, there is nothing to worry about. The clot will form again in a freshly extracted socket. Make sure that you do not gargle, do not consume hot food or liquids, do not smoke or drink with a straw all of these will lead to lose of the vlot being formed.
I had the 3rd molar pulled this past wensday and I’m having sum soreness on the gums is their any thing to worry about.
If it’s last Wednesday, you might be off your meds so the soreness in your gums is quite common. Make sure you rinse your mouth thoroughly after every meal. You should be concerned when there is continuous pain and foul smell from your mouth.
I had my bottom 2 wisdom teeth removed 2 weeks ago! now i have holes where they were with no pain no swelling.. when will these holes fill in because its so annoying having food stuck in there all the time.
It takes a total of 4-6 weeks for the extraction socket to fill up with bone and tissue to cover it to the desired height. So you are stuck with the duty to keep the socket clean till it fills up to an extent where food is not stuck.
Make sure to gargle with water every time you eat something. That should be sufficient to keep the socket free of any food.
My dentist sent me home with drips of gauze to place in my socket, but there is no hole in which to place it. I’m having pain, but not sure I even have a dry socket.
I am in such pain with an infected dry socket. Even with numbing up it is agony for the dentist to clean it out and pack it. It is over a week since the extraction. I still have the infection and my breath stinks as pointed out by those around me. The taste in my mouth makes me gag at times. Have rinsed after eatin*. Dentist 2ont give me antibiotics but I fail to comprehend how the healing process can begin until the infection clears up. Apart from the constant throbbing , swollen face, earache, head ache, depression, lack of sleep etc every step I take is like 4000 volts going through my head. Feeling like I can’t go on, this pain started 18 months ago.
These are typical signs of Dry Socket, it is best to visit and dentist or Oral surgeon and explain the symptoms and start with the treatment. The relief will not be immediate as it takes time after the ZOE pack to start with the healing process.
Dry Socket is nothing but exposed bone in the Socket which us not covered by any blood or soft tissue, bleeding is induced and ZOE pack placed to start the healing process and exposed bone is covered to decrease pain.
Hope you get rid of your pain soon, it is terrible pain to bear for such a long time.
Do not worry if it has been just a couple of days after extraction as little pain is common in cases of surgical extraction. If your Dr has placed sutures you will not be seeing a hole in particular but just a small slit like opening which needs to be covered with the gauze piece.
As its been 8 days you have nothing to worry about, the blood clot if dislodged in 2-4 days can lead to dry Socket. As its been 8 days you have nothing to worry about until you feel any pain.
I just had a front bottom root canal gone bad extracted. Sitting here at home 4 1/2 hrs after extraction, I don’t even feel any pain in the hoke. However, the tooth rt aside of the one he pulled is so seductive!!! It’s like a toothache! Did he ruin something when he pulled that tooth or is this common. Im so upset. I don’t want another one pulled.
I donot think there is anything to worry about, some times you feel pain in the adjacent teeth as there is foce applied on it while being extracted. It will subside on its own in a couple of days.
If you are seeing severe pain even after couple of days you ned to get it checked.
Hi : I had a tooth extracted last Wed at noon. So I am on day 5. I have not seen a blood clot for a few days. All I see it a white bone sticking out of the hole. I have a bit of pain in my ear( on and off) and a bit of throbbing at the tooth( on and off) I can handle it now but will the pain get worse? paranoid
Hi, I had my bottom left molar removed on Monday. Since the anaesthetic wore off I’ve had a bad taste in my mouth and some pain which I’m controlling with paracetamol and ibrufen. I was drinking through a straw after I had it done as I went back to work. I have slight swelling but not much. Do I need to see my dentist or will it heal on its own and will the bad taste go away?
I had a molar pulled about 36 hours ago. I haven’t been having any pain, but there is a horrible taste and smell coming from the extraction. I managed to look at it with a flash light and it doesn’t looked inflamed but at the site there is what looks like Lucas, maybe pus. I’m freaking out cause I know that the tooth was an abscess and he did not prescribe my antibiotics.
It looks like there is food impaction in the extraction site which can be the case of the taste and smell you are referring to. Make sure that you gargle using salt water slowly and without exerting much force.
Hi Dr Varun I’ve had my top molar pulled 3days ago (24 of feb) today is 26 Feb and yesterday and today i have some pain it’s not something I can’t handle but it’s still a dhall pain I’ve done the smoking drinking and straw sucking I’m now worried could this be dry socket I looked inside and it looks whitish blackish I’m so worried is this normal as I thought it’s suppose to be bloodish red please help
Had a tooth pulled out lower right. I have been in pain since the numbness wore off. It has been 3 days since i have had it pulled. And its constant pain but not to the point im falling over in agony. What should I do thanks in advance
Had my second to last upper left molar pulled six days ago. Pain meds help but my gum is swollen and my jaw radiates in pain until I take meds. The extraction site is jet black! My gum hurts sooo bad! it feels like a throbbing toothache only there is no tooth anymore. The extraction was hard and the tooth didn’t want to come out. Could I have dry socket?
Hello. I had my right lower wisdom tooth extracted five days ago. I was given medication for three days only. Last night i felt excruciating pain on my right jaw and i took painkillers to alleviate the pain. Is this normal??
If it is a one time thing, it can be ignored but if the pain returns after the effect of pain killer wears of its better to visit your Dentist once to get it checked. It can be due to multiple reasons – as simple as food stuck in the extraction socket or maybe dry socket.
It might be a case of dry socket from all the symptoms but the black color socket dosent point at dry socket. It is better to get it checked, a black socket means there is blood clot still present which means it is not a dry socket.
I had tooth extraction at my lower molar and it has been 4 days after the extraction, and as I notice 2 hours after extraction there is a whitish cover at the socket where my tooth removed and I also noticed there where no blood clot 3 days after the extraction. Is it a normal thing? If not, what should I do? I am afraid I might get a dry socket. I hope you could help me. Thank you so much.
I had a tooth pulled 2 days ago the dentist packed it with some kind of foam and stitched it because I work in a really cold environment! Today it looks like a brownish white coating in the hole but I have no pain really! Is this normal? And when am I out of the woods on dry socket?
Hi Dr Varun,
My dentist extracted my upper left wisdom tooth on Friday morning. Today (Tuesday) After breakfast I was tasting something strange in my mouth and in that area of extraction.
I see a small hole with white (puss like) and a pinky orange on other side, wondering if it’s food or puss as well.
I’m having slight soreness nothing excruciating at all. Mostly concerned about getting dry socket.
I’ve been swirling saline water as well as brushing lightly.
Is bad taste with no odor normal? Do you think the pinky orange is possible food particle?
My dentist didn’t give me anything to syringe the hole. If it’s food how can I get it out if hasn’t dislodged from saline rinses.
Thank you!
Thanks for this matery.. btw would u mind to put the references???, cz i’m dentistry student, it’s so help me, thx doctor :D
Had 2 teeth pulled 3 days ago my whole left side is very sore and painful. Sometimes meds help and other times it dont touch the pain. I keep crying off and on.
Hi Misti, it is better to get it checked. If it is two days and the pain is still there it must be infected so better to get it checked up with your Dentist.
I’ve had my bottom right molar taken out Saturday its now Tuesday i have little pain and i have a white film over the extraction site but now i have a sore throat and ear pain all on the same side of the extraction and im worried of dry socket. I take ibuprofen and it takes some pain away, but the throat and ear hurts more then the actual site is it healing okay.
I had an extraction a week today it was a complicated extraction and I developed dry socket. I went down Tuesday to have this cleaned and packed but the pain is unreal. I’ve been taking 30/100 co codomol and iboprofen but after 3/4 hours these have worn off back to severe throbbing pain. I’ve been rinsing aswell. What else can be done and should I go back to get repacked as the hole is empty again?
I had my upper molar on the right side pulled 5 days ago. I had what appeared to me as a canker sore on the roof of my mouth where the numbing meds was put. No pain at all. Eating, drinking smoking and everything no pain. No problem sleeping. But discomfort when my tongue would touch it. So I followed up with my dentist today who said I have a dry socket. Put a packing in it. Less then a hour home and had my mom look but she didn’t see a packing. Didn’t notice it come out either. Do i really have a dry socket? My quack of a dentist didn’t even know what tooth to look at that he pulled so I’m having a hard time believing he knows what he’s talking bout. Any ideas y I have no pain
Hello I had my number 2 tooth pulled about 26 hours ago. I don’t see a clot but something white should I be worried?
i had two teeth out 5 days ago ad two teeth out 4 days ago. one bottom one is healing nicely but the other three have a layer of white tissue on top. is this a dry socket?
Hello,
I had my 2nd wisdom tooth pulled on Friday, today is now Monday. I have slight pain in the extraction sight, but I also have a foul smell from the site…
I am getting anxious and worried I have a dry socket.
My dentist told me to begin eating right away and swish with salt water right away. That is what I did. The first tooth seems to be healing fine, but the second? Has a bad smell and taste
Do you see any blood clot in the extraction socket? Or is it just yellow in the extraction socke? How is the pain?