Dry Socket: Why It’s So Horrible and How You Can Prevent It

Tooth extractions can be necessary to preserve a patient’s oral health for reasons such as severe dental infections, making room for orthodontic or prosthetic appliances, or the wisdom teeth becoming impacted. After having a tooth removed, the best way to ensure that your recovery period goes as smoothly and comfortably as possible is to follow your dentist or oral surgeon’s postoperative instructions precisely. Here’s a guide to the miserably painful condition called dry socket, how it can sometimes happen after tooth extraction, and a few tips for preventing it.