Oral Contraceptives and Extractions
In an article that appeared in the Academy of General Dentistry's Journal
called General Dentistry, women on oral contraceptives are at greater
risk of developing a painful condition called dry socket, following a
tooth extraction.
A dry socket, by definition, is a localized inflammation of the tooth
socket following an extraction. Normally, a blood clot forms around the
extraction site so as to allow for healing. With a dry socket, the clot
is lost or does not form properly which results in the localized inflammation
that is quite painful. In women who take birth control pills, the estrogen
that the pills contain, increases the activity of the cell components
that breakdown the mesh that the new tissues need to form a clot.
Women are still at a greater risk in developing dry socket than men,
however, the birth control pills can increase the risk to a greater degree. Other risk factors for this condition include smoking and improper diet. If this occurs, treatment involves a special medicated dressing that is
placed into the socket after it is cleaned.
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