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Creating New Smiles..

Estrogen And Dry Socket

At the clinic, we have come to observe that women tend to have a higher risk of developing a dry socket after having a tooth extraction. The risk is commoner amongst women taking hormonal birth control during the time of the extraction.

The socket is the hole in the bone where the tooth has been removed. Once the tooth is pulled, a blood clot forms in the socket which provides a protective function to the underlying bone and nerves. If the clot degenerates, dissolves or becomes dislodged after a few days following the extraction, the bone and nerves become susceptible to infection and severe pain which is usually throbbing and disturbs sleep would occur

While oral health experts don’t know why some patients recover from extraction with no issues others develop dry socket.

Estrogen, or oestrogen, is the primary female sex hormone. It is responsible for the development and regulation of the female reproductive system and secondary sex characteristics. Estrogen does not cause dry socket, however high estrogen levels from oral contraception may block the normal healing process in some women and increase the chances of developing a dry socket

A research report carried out by V Mudali, O Mahomed et al on the Incidence and predisposing factors for dry socket following extraction of permanent teeth at a regional hospital in Kwa-Zulu Natal concluded that Oral contraception and smoking independently or in combination with a traumatic extraction were the most prevalent predisposing factors for dry socket in the study. It is important that these underlying predisposing factors (smoking and oral contraceptive use) are recognized and that patients are appropriately counseled.

Though birth control is an important risk factor, smoking still takes the crown as it retards socket healing more. Research has shown that smoking increases the risk of dry socket by 9.8 percent, while birth control raised the risk for women by 7.6 percent.  Researchers now believe enough evidence exists to consider birth control a risk factor for dry socket in women

For more information on the above topic feel free to call our office on 08021818185 or book an appointment and see for yourself the difference a dental practice could make to your oral and general health.

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