Hello everyone,

I'm hoping someone may be able to help!

Last week, 7 days ago exactly I had to get my lower left first molar extracted by an oral surgeon. My usual dentist had referred me to the OS as I had a huge abscess which was causing great pain as it was quite large and root canal wasn't fixing it.

Less than 2 days after the extraction I was in excruciating pain and had a terrible taste at the site of extraction and got an emergency appointments at my own dentist where he said I had a dry socket and packed it with a brown dressing which had clove oil on it and it provided relief almost immediately. The dentist said he didn't expect the packing to stay in any longer than a day and recommended salt water rinse and normal pain killers at home to keep the area clean and help pain if necessary. While the dressing was in I was still getting a horrible taste from the area where the dressing was which was making my mouth taste and probably smell awful.
The packing actually lasted 3-4 days with half of it coming out while I was doing a saltwater rinse one day and the other half coming out the next day (yesterday) while doing the same thing in the morning.
My worry now is the extraction site is exposed again and I'm starting to get pain in the area once again. Although it's not as painful as it was last week I'm worried it could be. I am still getting that horrible taste from time to time although not as frequent as before. I have been brushing my teeth after every meal and doing salt water rinses as well to keep the area clear of any food debris.
Could I be getting dry socket again? Is this common? I thought getting the tooth extracted would be the end of my troubles with it but it seems to be causing more bother than what it did before I got it out! I work full time and although my work have been great I can't keep asking for time off for appointments. The dentist said when I seen him 5 days ago I shouldn't have to see him for a while after that visit. Its starting to have an effect on my emotions and mood as well.

Any information/advice would be much appreciated!
Many thanks!