How to know if you have dry socket?

Would I know if I'm developing dry socket?

• I got my wisdom teeth pulled about four weeks ago. Last week, though, I accidentally forgot and drank out of a straw, and I've been kind of paranoid about dry socket ever since. Now when I open my mouth really wide or when I yawn, I feel a little strain in the back of my mouth, where the tissue connects my top and bottom gums. It doesn't hurt, but the texture of that spot feels a little different. It's been three days, and if there's been any progress, I can't tell. I'm freaking out. Could I be developing dry socket???

• Answer:

  No, you don't have any chance of a dry socket. Your gums have most definitely healed since then. It's also normal for the gums where the wisdom teeth were to feel a bit different, and your mouth takes a little while to get used to having nothing back there.