How do oral contraceptives affect dry socket?

RealAge

Oral contraceptives increase a woman's risk of developing dry socket, a condition where a blood clot dislodges after a tooth extraction. Oral contraceptives, or birth control pills, contain high amounts of the female hormone estrogen, which can prevent your body from healing. Oral contraceptives also increase your sensitivity to pain, so you may experience more discomfort. If you use oral contraceptives, talk to your dentist before having a tooth removed.

Continue Learning about Dry Socket

Dry socket heals fairly quickly. Learn more from our experts about dry socket.

Important: This content reflects information from various individuals and organizations and may offer alternative or opposing points of view. It should not be used for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. As always, you should consult with your healthcare provider about your specific health needs.

Dry Socket

If you've just had a tooth extracted, particularly a wisdom tooth, you may start to feel a nasty pain a few days after the tooth extraction. Call your doctor or dentist to see if this is dry socket, a condition that can happen when the blood clot that is supposed to form in the socket where your tooth was gets dislodged. This will interfere with healing. Also known as alveolar osteitis, dry socket can cause pain not only where the tooth was but through the jaw and radiating to your ears. Learn more about preventing and treating dry socket with expert advice from Sharecare.

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