Tooth extraction and dry socket

We're not supposed to give advice here - which is sensible as no-one here can actually see it, so really can't tell what is going on. If you have concerns- you need to see your dentist, or telephone the surgery for advice.

Generally though, at this stage, what has formed in the socket is the equivalent of a 'scab' if you'd injured some external part of your body. As it's in a wet environment, it does stay a bit jelly like, so bits of it can come away. This needn't be a bad thing.

Infected sockets do happen, 'dry' socket is a bit of an old term for them, but it is still in common use, but just because a clot is disturbed, doesn't automatically mean an infected socket in inevitable. Infected sockets happen much more in smokers than non- smokers. Taking antibiotics after the extraction has, in some studies, shown a decrease in the likelihood of an infected socket - but it's inconclusive, and by no means a certain way to avoid one.

If they do strike, they are painful, but do get better by themselves - so apart from hurting, they aren't really much cause for concern.

I would say that if one was going to strike, I'd expect a patient to be feeling a bit of pain by day 4 after extraction - but it can vary a bit.

As I said though - if you have concerns go and see the dentist again, or at least ring. There's generally not a lot that can be done to make them go away any quicker, or anything that can be done to make it a certainty one won't strike. So basically, don't smoke and carry on with the salty mouthwashes, as you've been instructed.