Dear Dr. Hall,
\nI had a lower first molar extracted this morning. I kept gauze on it most of day, as it kept bleeding. I was told there was no need to restrict food; only told to not eat hot or cold, or use a straw. I stayed with liquids, though, until about an hour ago when I ate a little solid food so I could take ibuprofen. In spite of my best efforts, the hole filled with food. I carefully removed the food, and now there is a LARGE hole! I was not forewarned about possibility of dry socket… What should I do? Should I just wait to see if there is pain, or should I return to the dentist tomorrow? Thank you so very much for your attention. I am grateful and amazed to have found this website. Just sorry I didn’t look for it ahead of time!
\n– Ruth in New York<\/p>\n
Ruth,
\nMany dentists and dental assistants\u00a0aren’t aware that the latest research shows that dry socket is an infection that is aided by bone damage that occurs during the surgery, and isn’t caused by physically removing the blood clot. The lost clot is a symptom of the dry socket, and not a cause.<\/p>\n
The large hole is normal, and I wouldn’t worry about it. The reason you need to be careful with the surgical site is that you could provoke it to bleed too much. If it’s not bleeding excessively, you should be fine.
\nDr. Hall<\/p>\n
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