What Does Dry Socket Feel Like?

By Staff WriterLast Updated April 15, 2020

Dry socket feels like a steady, throbbing pain in the jaw that appears a few days after having a tooth pulled. This pain may spread to the ears and eyes on the affected side.

Dry socket is the inflammation of the jawbone that occurs after a tooth extraction. This condition occurs when the protective blood clot that fills the tooth socket after extraction becomes either partially or totally dislodged. The healing bone and nerves become exposed to heat, cold, or food and drink particles causing pain and potentially leading to infection. Other symptoms include a foul odor to the breath and unpleasant taste in the mouth.