Dry Socket Treatment

Are you suffering from Pain after Tooth Extraction?
It could be because of a Dry Socket!

Dry socket (alveolar osteitis) is a painful condition that occasionally happens after a Tooth Extraction or a Wisdom tooth removal. It can be healed or recovered with help of Home Remedies for Dry Socket. It happens because the blood clot at the site of the extraction fails to develop, or it displaces or dissolves before the socket has completely healed or recovered. The blood clot works as a protective layer over the bone and nerve endings in the tooth socket stimulating the growth of new bone and soft tissues.

Dry socket is the most common complication following tooth extractions, such as the removal of third molars (wisdom teeth).

Signs and symptoms:

Pain within few days (Usually 4th Day onwards)
Loss of the blood clot noticed as an empty-looking (dry) socket
Pain that radiates to ear, eye, forehead or neck on the same side of face as the extraction
Bad breath or a foul odor
Unpleasant taste

Read: Myths and Facts about Dry Socket

Risk Factors:

Dry Socket History

If you've had dry socket in the past, you're more likely to develop it.

Infection

Current or previous infections around the extracted tooth increases the risk of dry socket.

Smoking

Smoking may prevent or slow down the healing and contaminate the wound site. Cigarette smoking may physically dislodge the blood clot. People who smoke are at much higher risk of developing dry socket. Reduce your tobacco intake for few weeks if you are planning for a Dental Extraction. The following tips can help-

Switch to Nicotine Patches
Avoid Nicotine Gum or chewing tobacco.
Keep a Gauze in you mouth over the socket while smoking.

Oral Contraceptives

High estrogen levels from oral contraceptives may disrupt normal healing processes and increase the risk of dry socket.

Improper Home Care

Failure to follow postoperative instructions and poor oral hygiene efforts may increase the risk of dry socket.

"Everyone was nice, professional and able to answer any questions I had. I could not express how grateful I am for this office, staff and to the great work of Dr Dhawan! I had an extraction and 2 implants with no pain at all. The care and constant concern of the Dr and staff is remarkable."

- Pooja

Treatment for Dry Socket

It is always advised to consult your dentist for the long-term solution and proper diagnosis of the Dry Socket. Treatment of dry socket focuses on reducing symptoms, particularly pain. Meanwhile the treatment for the Dry Socket may include:

Irrigation of the socket. Flushing out the socket can remove any food particles or other debris that may contribute to pain or possible infection.
Medicated dressings. Packing the socket with medicated gel or paste and medicated dressings. This can provide relatively immediate pain relief.
Self-care. Once the dressing is removed, you may need to flush the socket at home with warm saline rinses to promote healing and eliminate debris.

It is best advised to visit our office for dry socket, but some home remedies can help ease the pain.

Home Remedies

Clove oil can protect against infection because it has antimicrobial and antiseptic properties.You can use clove oil to ease the pain of dry socket by applying one or two drops to a clean gauze and placing it on the tooth extraction site. However you should only use clove oil as a temporary remedy.

Warm Salt wate r rinsing can help reduce bacterial infection and swelling. It can also flush out any food particles from the socket. Keeping this area clean can reduce pain and lower the risk of infection.

Turmeric can help treat dry socket. The turmeric has strong anti-inflammatory properties that may reduce pain and aid wound healing. A dressing of turmeric and mustard oil reduced pain, discomfort, and inflammation in people with dry socket.

Honey has antibacterial properties and may protect against infection. It may also help prevent necrosis.You can make and apply a honey dressing by soaking a ball of sterile gauze in honey and dabbing it gently onto the extraction site.

Avoid Dry Socket: Follow Instructions after the tooth extraction

Following the tooth extraction, our team will provide you with detailed aftercare instructions to promote optimal healing. It is normal to experience some swelling and discomfort in the days following the procedure, but these symptoms can be managed with proper care and medication, if needed.

Some more questions? We’re here to help

"Why is my pain due to Dry Socket worse at night?"

People often observe that dry socket pain increases at night. This is usually because when you are lying down, there is an increase in blood volume towards your head. This can increase the pressure within the tooth and surrounding tissues that results into Pain.

"What is the best painkiller for Pain due to Dry Socket?"

Most people find that Paracetamol or an ibuprofen can often help calm down the symptoms and offer temporary relief. Be sure to consult with your doctor before you use a pain reliever or any other medication that’s new to you.

"How long does a pain due to Dry Socket last?"

You should never ignore or avoid the pain — especially if it’s been persisting for more than 1-2 days and your pain has not subsided. You should also be watchful for any signs of swelling on the face or inside the mouth, tooth tenderness for touch or pressure, pain radiating towards ear, or fever. If any of these symptoms occur, you should seek immediate help.