Question 1

can someone tell me how long will dry socket packing last?

Accepted Answer

Depends on material: Some dry socket packings should be changed every few days, others are meant to last until the socket starts to heal.  Best thing is to contact the person who did the extractions.

Question 2

i have a dry socket and it was packed with dry socket paste at 8am today and the packing has came out is there any otc tx i can use till tomorrow?

Accepted Answer

Clove Oil: and OTC NSAIDs or Tylenol (acetaminophen). However, the most proper and efficient treatment can be provided only by your dentist.

Question 3

concerned about dry socket packing. how to prevent this?

Accepted Answer

Avoiding dry socket: You want to avoid dry socket all together.  Follow the instructions given for post-op care. Don't:  smoke, drink from a straw, spit, or brush area hard.  Don't pick at socket if anything gets in it.  Don't eat on it, avoid crunchy/hard foods.  In general, avoid area as best as possible.  Dry sockets can be very painful.

Question 4

will a dry socket heal with only one packing? i went to er (my dr out of town) er dr said hole is closed there's nothing for him to pack...help!

Accepted Answer

WHY-NOT: If hole is closed - no pain or odor than should be ok. Go back to your dentist when he or she returns.

Question 5

had the medicine packing put in on monday for a dry socket just lost it all mad bleeding a little but is this normal or should i contact my dentist?

Accepted Answer

Contact the doctor: Best to repack the socket, and leave it undisturbed

Question 6

i am trying to remove dry socket packing but can't see the gauze. is it possible that it came out on its own? how do i find it? doc said he left a tag

Accepted Answer

It's possible: I would recommend that you let your dentist take a look to be sure.

Question 7

molar removed, got dry socket and had packing out in. six days after being packed i am wondering if i leave the brown gauze in the socket or remove it?

Accepted Answer

Your dentist should: Have given you these directions for how they wanted you to treat this.  Did they give you any home instructions?  If not i would suggest you call the office and ask for their preference.
(it might be ok at this point, but different dentist have different protocols that they like to follow.) it is best to keep the socket moist.

Question 8

wisdom tooth extracted got a dry socket it was then packed with packing strip with medication was told that the packing strip will fall out. will it?

Accepted Answer

Wisdom tooth: A dry socket occurs when the blood clot is lost after tooth extraction leaving the bone and nerve exposed.  This can be due to infection,nicotine,sucking through a straw or certain hormones such as oral contraceptives.  The treatment is packing with medication.  The packing is usually changed as often as daily.  As the tooth heals the packing will fall out.

Question 9

when can i start cleaning my socket with salt water after dry socket is pasted? would toughing out the dry socket without packing it, promote healing?

Accepted Answer

Don't: The dry socket was probably caused by your rinsing out the area to begin with.  You must learn to leave it alone.  Do not rinse it out. Toughing it out will not help it heal faster but will only make you more uncomfortable.

Question 10

how long after having a tooth extraction(1 week ago) and dry socket packing (2 days ago) should the swelling in my face go down.?

Accepted Answer

Usually a few days: This may take longer since you had  a dry socket which means that you lost the original blood clot that was filling the area where the tooth was removed. That area is still irritated. Try trameel from health food store. Get the liquid and place 6 drops under tongue four times a day for a few days.

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Doctor answers about:

Packing a dry socket

A member asked:

Can someone tell me how long will dry socket packing last?

A member asked:

I have a dry socket and it was packed with dry socket paste at 8am today and the packing has came out is there any otc tx i can use till tomorrow?

A member asked:

Concerned about dry socket packing. how to prevent this?

A member asked:

Will a dry socket heal with only one packing? i went to er (my dr out of town) er dr said hole is closed there's nothing for him to pack...help!

A member asked:

Had the medicine packing put in on monday for a dry socket just lost it all mad bleeding a little but is this normal or should i contact my dentist?

A member asked:

I am trying to remove dry socket packing but can't see the gauze. is it possible that it came out on its own? how do i find it? doc said he left a tag

A member asked:

Molar removed, got dry socket and had packing out in. six days after being packed i am wondering if i leave the brown gauze in the socket or remove it?

A member asked:

Wisdom tooth extracted got a dry socket it was then packed with packing strip with medication was told that the packing strip will fall out. will it?

A member asked:

When can i start cleaning my socket with salt water after dry socket is pasted? would toughing out the dry socket without packing it, promote healing?

A member asked:

How long after having a tooth extraction(1 week ago) and dry socket packing (2 days ago) should the swelling in my face go down.?

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