As with any type of surgery, wisdom tooth removal carries some risks. However, these risks are usually small. Risks can include: See your dentist if you have signs of infection after having your wisdom teeth removed, or if you're bleeding heavily from the extraction site. Dry socket (alveolar osteitis) is one of the most common complications of wisdom tooth removal. It's where a blood clot fails to develop in the
tooth socket, or if the blood clot becomes dislodged or disappears. This can happen 3 to 5 days after surgery. The empty socket causes an ache or throbbing pain in your gum or jaw, which can be intense like a toothache. There may also be an unpleasant smell or taste from the empty tooth socket. If you look into the socket, you might be able to see exposed bone rather than a blood clot. You're more at risk of
developing dry socket if: See your dentist or surgeon if you think you have dry socket. They can flush any debris out of the socket or cover it with a medicated dressing, which may be removed and replaced frequently until it heals.Dry socket
Nerve injury
Although far less common than dry socket, injury to sections of a nerve called the trigeminal nerve is another possible complication of wisdom tooth removal. It can cause pain, a tingling sensation and numbness in your tongue, lower lip, chin, teeth and gums.
The damage is usually temporary, lasting for a few weeks or months. However, it can be permanent if the nerve has been severely damaged.
A nerve injury can interfere with your daily activities, making things such as eating and drinking difficult. However, a nerve injury will only cause sensation problems – it won't cause any weakness to your lip or tongue.
Your dentist or surgeon will try to minimise the possibility of nerve damage when removing your wisdom tooth, and they should tell you about the risk of complications before the procedure.
General anaesthetic
General anaesthetic is occasionally needed for the removal of wisdom teeth.
It carries some additional risks, but complications are very rare, occurring in less than 1 in every 10,000 cases.
Page last reviewed: 17 May 2021
Next review due: 17 May 2024
There are numerous reasons your dental professional might recommend that you have your tooth pulled, a process also known as a tooth extraction. While most patients are familiar with wisdom tooth removal, an extraction can also treat or correct an infection, periodontal disease or a crowded mouth.
While a tooth extraction is a relatively simple procedure, patients should watch out for certain issues during the healing process, including the most common complication: a dry socket. Learn what this condition entails and how you can prevent a dry socket after tooth extraction.
What Is a Dry Socket?
After your dentist extracts one of your adult teeth, your mouth will form a blood clot in the spot where the tooth was removed. This blood clot is vital because it helps protect the bone and nerve endings in the empty tooth socket.
Patients develop a dry socket when the blood clot is dislodged, dissolves or doesn't completely form. This leaves the nerves and bones exposed and prone to infection. This condition also causes intense pain in the mouth and the face and should be treated by a dental professional as soon as possible.
Why Do Dry Sockets Occur?
A dislodged blood clot is sometimes the result of trauma or force to the empty socket. Unfortunately, it's not as easy to pinpoint what causes a dislodged blood clot or one that failed to form in the first place. However, there are some risk factors that increase the chances of developing a dry socket. These include:
- Infections
- Oral contraceptives
- Failure to properly care for the wound
- Smoking and use of tobacco
How Can You Prevent a Dry Socket?
Dry sockets usually occur in the first five days after an extraction, so the first step in preventing this condition is to avoid any rigorous activity that could lead to wound trauma. This rigorous activity could even include simple activities like drinking through a straw or forceful spitting, both of which have the potential to dislodge a blood clot.
Because smoking and tobacco use increase the chances of developing a dry socket after tooth extraction, avoid using these substances at least 24 hours before and 24 hours after the procedure. Talk with your dental professional to determine whether any of your regular medications might inhibit blood clotting and discuss what you can do to minimize or eliminate this risk.
Your dentist or oral surgeon will likely recommend a course of at home care and tips to follow after your extraction. The advice may include drinking plenty of water, not brushing within the first 24 hours after surgery, avoiding certain foods and using antibacterial mouthwashes. Your dental professional may also offer specific advice depending on your oral health history, your immune health and the medications you take.
Closely following this guidance can go a long way toward helping you prevent a dry socket so you can experience a healthy healing process after your tooth extraction.