Is This Normal?

I am a serious worry wart. It is a horrible thing to be. On October 2 I had a upper right wisdom tooth extracted by a easy removal procedure.

Since, I have been extremely worried about getting a dry socket or infection. I have been doing EXACTLY what the dentist requested of me, and although there is no pain since removal, only soreness, I can still see a bit of a whole where the tooth was. The only thing present is some dark red/black stuff and a couple very small white areas.

I smoke and started back smoking the day after, but made sure to cut my smoking by only a few cigarettes a day and not inhale hard. Additionally, I would cover the extraction site with a moist piece of gauze while barely inhaling and afterwards rinsing with luke warm salt water.

Since 72-hours has passed am I now in the clear of a dry socket or no? Also, why would I have very small traces of blood here and there this long afterwards?

Your help is appreciated in advanced.

Sincerely,

Jonathan
A WORRY WART

[scottma]

Dry socket rarely develops on upper jaw. However, cigarette smoking tends to compromise blood supply of wound and encouging infection and delayed wound healing.Cessation of cigarette smoking is advised.