How to know if you have dry sockets after wisdom teeth removal?

Intense pain: Sharp pain along with the absent blood clot from where the tooth was removed is a sure sign of a dry socket. This needs to be tended to immediately and a dressing must be placed so that healing can take place.

Pain: Typically, if a patient develops dry sockets, it will occur 3-5 days after surgery. Patients often complain of a dull aching pain that radiates to the ear and wakes them up at night. Usually the prescribed apin medications no longer take care of the pain. If you are having these symptoms, you should contact your surgeon.

Pain and swelling: As with any surgical procedure pain is to be expected after a tooth extraction. However, the pain should subside after 2-3 days. If the pain worsens and additional swelling occur, it is likely you have a dry socket. Some people may be more likely to get dry socket after having a tooth pulled, these include; smokers, diabetics, women, and anyone with a history of a previous dry socket.

Radiating Pain: Pain should subside after 2-3 days but if it continues or worsens it is likely one of two things. Infection or dry socket. Infection will likely have more swelling and be very painful to touch even from outside the mouth. Dry socket will be a deep shooting/radiating pain toward your ear most likely and it likely will not be tender to palpate from outside the mouth. Call your provider.