Preparing for your appointment
By Mayo Clinic staffMake an appointment with your dentist or oral surgeon as soon as possible when you develop new or worsening pain after a tooth extraction. Be prepared to answer the following questions:
- When did the severe pain begin?
- How would you rate the pain on a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being the most severe?
- Where is the pain located?
- Have you taken pain relievers? What dosage and how often?
- Have the pain relievers helped to some degree?
- Do you have any other symptoms that seem unrelated to your dental pain?
- Have you had a fever?
References
- Benko P. Emergency dental procedures. In: Roberts J, et al., eds. Clinical Procedures in Emergency Medicine. 5th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2009. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/214478851-3/0/2083/0.html. Accessed Aug. 13, 2010.
- Noroozi AR, et al. Modern concepts in understanding and management of the "dry socket" syndrome: Comprehensive review of the literature. Oral Surgery, Oral Medicine, Oral Pathology, Oral Radiology & Endodontics. 2009;107:30.
- Blum IR. Contemporary views on dry socket (alveolar osteitis): A clinical appraisal of standardization, aetiopathogenesis and management: A critical review. International Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. 2002;31:309.
- Preparing for third molar removal. NIH Clinical Center. National Institutes of Health. http://www.cc.nih.gov/ccc/patient_education/tests_procedures.html. Accessed Aug. 13, 2010.
- Cardoso CL, et al. Clinical concepts of dry socket. Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. 2010;68:1922.
- Wisdom teeth. American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons. http://www.aaoms.org/wisdom_teeth.php. Accessed Aug 13, 2010.


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