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.
Most likely the pain you are experiencing might be due to food impaction in the extraction socket and thus leading to dull throbbing pain. Just make sure to clean the extraction site properly by gargling after every meal.
I just had a tooth extracted and a bone graph done .. my problem is on my jaw line theres a knot that is very tender right where you would press where the tooth was removed.. what could this be?? I started googling and now I’m worried I have a cysts in my cheek.. and I just freaking myself out…
It is advisable not to touch or press the extraction site atleast for 2-3 days after extraction, in your case where a bone graft has been placed it is strictly prohibited to not touch the extraction site as it might dislodge the clot and also lead to dislodging the Bone Graft material from the socket.
There is notihng to worry as you mentioned you just had the extraction done. Just follow the post Extraction instructions and relax.
Hi. I had and extraction done yesterday at 5 pm and tonight at 9pm the extraction site is white around edges and black in the center which I’m assuming is dried blood. I’ve been on antibiotics and still am for 3 more days. Is my socket supposed to look likes this with in 24 hrs?
I got,my tooth extracted Wednesday, and I’m terrified of dry socket. I do have a little pain, its tolerable, and much less than the first day but now my clot is black and with some white places and i’ve noticed a bloody, sort of metal taste…its very faint but i’ve noticed it. Is it normal for my clot to turn black?
Ty!! Could a black clot indicate infection?
What you are seeing is the normal healing process, with the Clot turning Black but part of the healing process and the white patches is the healing Gingiva. The metallic taste is due to the clot so there is no need to fear, just maintain good oral hygiene.
Yes, it is completely normal and that is how a fresh extraction socket looks like. Just make sure that you follow all the post extraction instruction given by your Dentist.
Hi my upper molar was extracted yesterday afternoon. It’s now 14 hours later and I can see a lot of white in the extraction site. It was dark red at first but now has white. I’m not sure if that’s the healing process or exposed bone and I am headed for dry socket, I am in no pain and thought I had been careful with the site. Do you think this is the start of dry socket? Thanks
The White can be the healing process and not the bone as you might be worried. My suggestion is to not keep looking at the site but just follow the instructions given by your dentist and that will help recover quickly. You need to start worrying only when you feel any sort of throbbing pain and extreme bad odor coming from the socket.
Everything. I have googled says NOT to gargle after extraction. I had two teeth removed two days ago. Pain and jaw pain persist even taking Advil. At first I saw a dry looking red clot but now I see what appears to be white bone. Could I have a dry socket?
Hello ,I had a tooth pulled nov.26 this Monday will be 3 weeks with this dry socket .The pain at night will drive you out of or mind and all the dentist gave me was advil 800 which does nothing and no sleep. They have packed 3 times is there nothing by can give to take that will help pain so I can sleep, I don’t think they think that pain is that bad, and is there anything else that can be done to help it heal. I am a smoker to .Thanks Kenny
You need to stop smoking completely for the Dry socket to heal, the heat from the cigarette does not let the socket to heal and keeps the bone exposed which is the reason for the excruciating pain.
Dry socket pain starts to decrease when the socket is filled with blood clot and the exposed inflamed bone is not exposed.
I just got my 14th tooth pulled on Jan 2nd 2019 I just look at my mouth around where the tooth was pulled it is black but also white and the pain hurts and I have a nasty smell In my mouth I got meds but not for long because he didn’t give me that much I am very scared I don’t want a dry pocket please help
I just got my 14th tooth pulled on Jan 2nd 2019 I just look at my mouth around where the tooth was pulled it is black but also white and the pain hurts and I have a nasty smell In my mouth I got meds but not for long because he didn’t give me that much I am very scared I don’t want a dry pocket please help
All you can do is follow the instructions, do not sip or drink hot drinks, no smoking cigarettes, and do not dislodge or disturb the extraction socket.
Hi there I got my tooth removed 4 days ago, I cannot see no blood clot I had stiches to, the stiches have came out and I’m getting really bad smelly breath it tastes horrible, what should I do
You can start to gargle now with either a medicted mouthwash or salt water.
Hi
I had my first molar extracted last Thursday I’ve been having pain severe enough that I need to take Tylenol every 6 hours is this normal. The socket looks to be healing nicely what should I do
Thx
Hi I got upper left wisdom teeth extracted 4 days ago.
the pain has been getting worse and worse, there is foul smell and something oozing out of the socket that tastes and smells foul.
It was bleeding a lot the first two days and it has stopped bleeding now but a lot of pain.
I have been taking 2 500mg paracetamol every 4 hours since the first day of extraction. at day our my pain is worse, there is foul smell and taste in my mouth from something oozing out of the socket and all of my teeth on upper left side in sever pain including my ear, jaw and left side of head. There is just a little bit of swelling on my cheek, with tender sinus on the left side of face.
WHAT SHOULD I DO?
Advice will be appreciated.
Hi. I had extracted my tooth four days ago. Till yesterday there was little to no Pain, maybe the meds I was prescribed was working better. Now that I completed my 3 days dose I have started to feel stiffness and a pressure just below the ear. I have been terrified of the dry socket. And I don’t see a clot.
If its just stiffness and pressure it might just be Muscle Stiffness and nothing else, till you have no pain in the extraction site. There is nothing to worry about. As for the clot, after 4 days it will not be visible as healing of the socket has already started.
It appears to be a Dry Socket from your description, it is best to visit your Dentist as an Emergency. Clinical Intervention is a must.
I just had my wisdom tooth pulled and the molar before the wisdom tooth 2days ago…I have a little pain and there is like a white tissue thats in the extration area…I can’t tell if I have a blood clot or bit cuz its stitched up….I’m so afraid of dry socket, What should I do???
I had a lower molar extracted 3 weeks ago with bone graft. My dentist used glue instead of stitches. The glue came off the following evening. I am left with a longitudinal gap on the gum and food gets stuck in it. I haven’t had any pain just a dull sort of ache now and then. Will this gap eventually close. It’s very qirrying
It dosen’t seems like a Dry Socket, you are having all the normal features of a healing extraction socket.
Yes, the gap will close eventually, but you need to make sure that there is no food being stuck in the space as it can delay healing process. Make sure you gargle well after every meal.
Hi I had bottom molar on left side extracted 48hours ago, i am I moderate pain but it is getting less as time goes on, however there is a black lump in the extraction site with white pieces on it and a foul smell coming from my mouth since last night which was 24hours after extraction. Do I have dry socket?
Hi, I had a small molar removed yesterday. It broke during process & was a tough removal. I had a clot last night, but today it looks brown & speckled- I feel like I should still see the red clot? Is this the beginning of dry socket? Ty so much
The socket/clot doesn’t stay red for more than 12 hours, it changes color as time progresses. What you have mentioned appears to be normal healing process, there is nothing to worry about just maintain good oral hygiene and you will be good.
I had a pre molar pulled today about 6 hours ago. I can see what looks like a piece of white bone but what also looks like to be a blood clot on the side of it. Should I be worried of a dry socket?
I have a dry socket, it’s now Sunday had tooth removed Thursday, no clot but pain is not terrible just aching. Can see bone and food getting stuck in easy, tiny bit of blood. Please give me some advice I’m worried pain will increase
Its not a dry socket, the slow aching pain is due to food getting stuck in the extraction socket. Just make sure that you keep the socket clean and let it heal.
I had #18 molar extracted & when the novocaine was injected in my mouth, a very sharp pain shot down the side of my tongue. 48 hrs later my tongue is still numb, tingly & my mouth tastes weird. Im concerned that the oral surgeon damaged my lingual nerve. How long is this going to last? My tongue bothers me more than the extraction.
It appears to be Prasthesia of the Lingual nerve in you case if the numbness is still persistent even after 48 hours. It usually takes a couple of days to a couple of months for the Nerve to repair itself depending on the amount of damage to the nerve. It is best to consult your dentist again to get an opinion and certain medication is prescribed to improve the healing of the nerve tissue.
Make sure that you eat carefully as you might unknowingly bite your tongue repeatedly which might lead to an Ulcer, so care has to be taken while chewing.
I had a bottom wisdom tooth removed Monday, it is not Thursday night and it still hurts. The swelling is less but the pain is not less. I don’t know if it is dry socket. They had to wash off the clove oil medicine because I felt like it was burning a little so I’m worried I now have dry socket.
Is the pain very severe or is it mild and nagging ? /in case of dry socket the pain is excruciating and foul smell is seen.
i can say it hurts a lot. I dont think the pain has ever gotten better if anything it has increased a bit. I have a high tolerance for pain. ( i had 2 children almost 9 lbs no epidural) i have not been taking the prescribed pain meds, as i dont like to be impaired with small children and going to work. i was able to get a good look this morning and i did see some white in the hole of where the tooth was removed. it is a deep hole still. i dont notice any foul smell… a slight taste though
I had tooth extraction today both my right back teeth.
On the wisdom extraction site I see no blood clot only bone
That wont be a problem until you do not feel any pain or discomfort in the extraction site. Make sure you maintain good oral hygiene and prevent any food particles from getting lodged in the extraction socket.
Hello I had my right top last tooth pulled on Wednesday it’s now Friday the spot looks black and around it is that normal I have noticed I have alot more saliva as well.
Having a black spot is normal as it is the blood clot which is seen, as for the saliva it is a normal body response to the treatment done, there is nothing to be worried about.
Hello. I had all 4 of my wisdom teeth removed on monday, it is now Sunday. I no longer have the stitches on my top guns and on my bottom right gum. They seem to be healing fairly well. I have mild pain where all I have to do it take my pain med and the pain usually subsides in half an hour or so. My problem though is, I have a very foul smell and taste in my mouth. Is that normal even without a dry socket?
Yes, in most cases where all four Wisdom teeth are extracted it becomes difficult to clean your oral cavity leading to food accumulation and resulting in Foul smell. It is important that you rinse thoroughly after each meal and you can use any mouthwash twice daily after brushing.
Hello. i had my second upper molar pulled out about 3 days ago. I’m worried about getting a dry socket. I can see some white in the hole , looks like bone or something im not sure, also i dont see dark blood clot but instead looks like light red or swelling. i dont feel a throbbing pain but everytime i swallow something it feels like a stick is being pushed to the side of the hole where my tooth was pulled. I would scale the pain 2 from out of 10.
I had 4 wisdom teeth pulled 1 week ago tomorrow. I did develop dry socket in my lower left within days after which makes me believe I never had a blood clot. The dr finally saw on the 5th day even though on the 4th I new. We irrigated it out and food debris did come out. He gave me sock it gel and send me on my way. No infection was noticed in the tissue. What I have read it seems like it should have been packed with gauze. Also I still have pretty intense pain espically while I irrigate it out and some pain when I do it on my right side as well. Could that side have it and how long will this pain last???????
No foul taste yet but all white in socket and pain. Is this dry socket? Top right molar
It might just be a case of food impaction in the socket leading to pain. How many days has it been sine you got your tooth removed? If it is more than 2 days you should start gargling with salt water to make sure there is no food materials stuck in the socket.
It varies from patient to patient, in some patients the relief is immediate while in some it takes sometime. Placing a ZEO pack and initiating bleeding has been found useful in reducing the pain and aids in healing. We usually replace the pack every two days till the pain subsides to the patient.
Sorry for the late response, your comment got mixed up with spam comments. As for the pain, it is common and the sensation which you felt is most likely due to food impacted in the socket.
I had a tooth pulled but the clot dislodged on day 4. Dentist confirmed dry socket on day 5. It’s now day 7 and I only have very very slight discomfort. Is it possible to have partial dry socket? Or do I still have the bad pain to come?