Changwon Wisdom Tooth Extraction: If You Have Severe Pain After Extraction, Suspect Dry Socket

Hello, I am Dr. Park Ho-san, director of Hana Dental Clinic in Changwon.

After working as the chief director of Su Dental Hospital in Apgujeong for five years, where I performed treatment for more than 5,000 veneers and implants, I returned this year to Hana Dental Clinic in Changwon, which my parents have operated for 39 years, and began practicing there.

Today, I would like to explain dry socket (alveolar osteitis) for those considering wisdom tooth extraction in Changwon or those who have already undergone extraction and are concerned because their pain has continued.

Some postoperative pain after wisdom tooth extraction is normal, but pain that continues even after a week can affect daily life and quality of life, and may even affect mental health.

One of the most common causes of severe pain after wisdom tooth extraction is “dry socket.” This complication occurs when the blood clot is removed too soon after the tooth is extracted. Typical symptoms include severe pain, pain that radiates as a tingling sensation throughout the jaw, and a strong foul odor. If you have these symptoms, you should visit a dentist immediately.

When you visit the dentist, additional pain medication and antibiotics may be prescribed as needed, and the extraction site will be disinfected. Dry socket is a very painful complication, but it usually improves within one to two weeks, so there is no need to worry excessively. However, the importance of prevention cannot be overstated.

Prevention of dry socket after wisdom tooth extraction in Changwon

① Be careful not to spit out blood. Some people feel uncomfortable tasting blood after extraction and repeatedly spit it out out of habit. Since the blood clot plays a very important role in early healing, repeatedly spitting can create negative pressure, causing the blood clot to come out of the extraction socket too soon and potentially leading to dry socket.

② Do not use a straw. The negative pressure created when using a straw may cause the blood clot to become dislodged. Since eating can be difficult after extraction, cold smoothies and similar foods are often recommended, but it is important to eat them with a spoon rather than a straw.

③ Gently rinse twice a day with the prescribed mouthwash. Chlorhexidine mouthwash is often prescribed after extraction. Because it has a stronger antibacterial effect than regular mouthwash, it can reduce the possibility of infection at the extraction site. However, puffing out and contracting your cheeks while rinsing can create negative pressure, so it is better to rinse by gently moving your head from side to side.

Also, please avoid smoking as much as possible after extraction, since it can delay wound healing. In addition, pain may increase in proportion to the difficulty of the surgery and the amount of tissue removed. The degree of pain may also vary depending on whether the postoperative suturing was performed appropriately for healing.

Upper wisdom teeth, which generally have somewhat softer bone and less surrounding muscle tissue, tend to cause relatively less discomfort after extraction. In contrast, lower wisdom teeth are surrounded by more muscle tissue and sensitive nerves and are located in an area with higher bone density, so they generally carry relatively greater risks of post-extraction discomfort and side effects such as nerve damage.

Please be sure to familiarize yourself with the precautions after extraction, and I wish you a speedy recovery and healing. Whether in Apgujeong or Changwon, the principles of wisdom tooth extraction remain the same. At Hana Dental Clinic in Changwon, you can also receive safe wisdom tooth extraction and follow-up care.

Hana Dental Clinic in Changwon was opened in 1987 by my father, Dr. Park Seong-hwan, and my mother, Dr. Kang Gyeong-ja, and has remained in the same location for 39 years as a family dental clinic. Dr. Park Seong-hwan has practiced for 39 years as a prosthodontics specialist, and I joined the practice as the second generation in 2026.

▶ Hana Dental Clinic in Changwon Information

Address: 2nd Floor, Sangnam Officetel, 648 Woni-daero, Seongsan-gu, Changwon-si, Gyeongsangnam-do (near Sangnam Fountain Square)

Phone: 055-266-2833 / KakaoTalk channel “Hana Dental Clinic”

Office hours: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday 9:30–18:00 (lunch 13:00–14:30); Thursday and Saturday 9:30–13:00; closed Sundays and public holidays

Dr. Park Ho-san’s consultation days: Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday

Parking: Sangnam Parking Lot or the public parking lot in front of Lotte Medical (parking validation available)

www.hanadental.co.kr

The content of this post is intended to provide general medical information. Diagnosis and treatment methods may vary depending on an individual’s oral condition. Please consult a specialist thoroughly before undergoing any procedure.

#WisdomToothExtractionAftercare #DrySocket