“What happens if a dry socket is left untreated?”
I am a 29 year old male. I have a dry socket in my mouth. What happens if a dry socket is left untreated?
2 Answers
Hello,
Sorry to hear about your dry socket. Are you sure it is dry socket and not something else like an infection? Dry socket occurs after the extraction of a tooth. When the tooth is removed the socket that the tooth sits in fills with blood and forms a clot. This clot is unstable and gets disrupted by things like drinking through a straw, dragging on a cigarette, and spiting. Once that blood clot comes out an empty socket is left behind which can be very painful. When dry socket occurs the only treatment that doctors can give is palliative treatment (treatment for the symptoms). The doctor can pack the socket with dry socket paste which gets rid of the pain but is awful in taste. So if you are not having pain or other symptoms that bother you and it really is dry socket then leaving it untreated is fine. It heals on its own. If it is an infection then leaving it can be bad, and you should have a professional look at it. Hope this helps.
My best to you!
William F. Scott IV, DMD
Sorry to hear about your dry socket. Are you sure it is dry socket and not something else like an infection? Dry socket occurs after the extraction of a tooth. When the tooth is removed the socket that the tooth sits in fills with blood and forms a clot. This clot is unstable and gets disrupted by things like drinking through a straw, dragging on a cigarette, and spiting. Once that blood clot comes out an empty socket is left behind which can be very painful. When dry socket occurs the only treatment that doctors can give is palliative treatment (treatment for the symptoms). The doctor can pack the socket with dry socket paste which gets rid of the pain but is awful in taste. So if you are not having pain or other symptoms that bother you and it really is dry socket then leaving it untreated is fine. It heals on its own. If it is an infection then leaving it can be bad, and you should have a professional look at it. Hope this helps.
My best to you!
William F. Scott IV, DMD
Dry socket is inflammation and infection of the socket where tooth was before the extraction. This happens when the blood clot is dislodged from the extraction site and bone becomes exposed to bacteria.
Usually the pain can last 7 to 10 days and maybe due to bone infection, gum infection, or nerve damage. It is recommended to seek professional help to evaluate dry socket and render proper treatment.
Usually the pain can last 7 to 10 days and maybe due to bone infection, gum infection, or nerve damage. It is recommended to seek professional help to evaluate dry socket and render proper treatment.
