Having a tooth extracted is, unfortunately, not always without side effects. In about one in every twenty extractions, a condition called dry socket can occur. This is a rather painful condition and ought to be an incentive to stay in touch with your dentist after you have had a tooth removed.

Dry socket develops in the first few days after you have had a tooth removed. Of course there is always some pain in the aftermath of an extraction but if dry socket is present then the discomfort will be particularly severe. It is important that you notify your dentist if you have any long lasting pain at the site of a removed tooth.

If your blood does not clot properly after a tooth has been removed then the bone can become exposed and be particularly sensitive. This sensitivity can be brought on by food, liquids and even simply the air that you breathe. You might fail to produce an adequate clot if your blood is particularly thin or you are taking immuno-suppressive drugs or the birth control pill. Sometimes the clot forms but it is dislodged before the area has healed.

Taking steps to avoid dry socket is the best course of action. If you are a smoker, you should refrain after an extraction because it can disturb the nascent clot. Any activities involving great levels of sucking can have the same effect. Should dry socket develop medication might need to be applied and you can rest assured that it is usually pretty easy to deal with. If you are having a tooth extracted and are worried about dry socket, talk to your Central Leeds dentist to find out how it can be avoided.