KESEHATAN
A dry socket is a common difficulty that arises after removal of the tooth and is characterized by critical pain. It occurs when the blood clot in the hollow cavity, which is formed because of tooth extraction, gets dissolved leaving the nerve and bone exposed to fluids, food and air. Experts do not know the exact cause of this. However, bacterial infection, bone and tissue trauma during tooth extraction and a small piece of bone remaining in the wound after extraction are some of the possible causes. It is important to get treated for dry socket to minimize pain and discomfort. You can help promote healing and reduce symptoms using home remedies. Also, follow the instructions given by your dentist.
How To Treat Dry Socket At Home
1. Cold Compress
Pain in the jaw and cheek is common among those suffering from dry socket. A cold compress is a tried-and-tested remedy that you can easily use at home to alleviate pain. The cold temperature has a numbing effect on the nerves, which reduces pain.
Dip a thin towel in cold water and wring out the excess water. Place the cold towel on your face in the area where you are experiencing pain. Hold it there for about 15 minutes. Repeat 4 or 5 times a day for 2 days. After 2 days, switch to warm compresses to help decrease pain and swelling.
2. Black Tea Bags
You can even use black tea bags to reduce the pain caused by a dry socket. The tannic acid present in the tea bag works like a natural antibiotic and helps reduce pain and swelling.
Immerse a tea bag in a cup of hot water. After 5 minutes, remove and squeeze out the excess water. Put the tea bag in the refrigerator for 15 minutes and set the tea aside to cool down. Next, place the cold tea bag on the dry socket. Bite down on the tea bag with your teeth to keep it in place for at least 5 to 10 minutes. Then, use the tea to rinse your mouth. Repeat as needed.
3. Saline Water Rinse
Rinsing the mouth with lukewarm saline water solution 4-5 times a day can provide relief from a dry socket and its symptoms. The warmth of the saline solution would reduce the pain and swelling, while the salt content would get rid of any bacteria/virus present in the dry socket.
4. Garlic
As garlic is anti-inflammatory and a natural antibiotic, it is also effective at reducing pain in the gums and teeth due to dry socket. It can even reduce the risk of an infection. Place a fresh garlic clove in your mouth and crush it with your teeth. As the juice of the garlic will spread inside your mouth, the pain will gradually subside. Spit out the clove after 5 minutes and rinse your mouth with warm water. Do this 2 or 3 times a day or as needed.
5. Clove Oil
Clove oil has proven to be an effective treatment for dry socket. Its anesthetic and analgesic properties help reduce the throbbing pain that makes it difficult to even move your head.
Dip a small cotton swab in clove oil. Place the swab in the socket for 1 minute. Remove the swab and rinse your mouth with warm water. Do this a few times throughout the day.
6. Turmeric
Turmeric is an analgesic and anti-inflammatory herb that can help deal with the pain of a dry socket. In addition to reducing pain, turmeric will speed up the healing process.
Mix ½ teaspoon of turmeric powder and a little water or milk to form a paste. Use a cotton swab to apply it on the area where the dry socket has formed. Wait 20 minutes, then rinse your mouth with lukewarm water. Do this 2 to 3 times a day, as needed.
Another option is to mix 1 teaspoon of turmeric powder in a glass of lukewarm water. Use this solution to rinse your mouth a few times daily until the pain is gone.
7. Hydrogen Peroxide Rinse
Rinsing the mouth with hydrogen peroxide solution would offer instant relief from the pain caused by a dry socket. You can rinse your mouth with diluted hydrogen peroxide solution (1 cup mixed in 4 cups of water) 3-4 times every day to treat the symptoms of dry socket effectively, and cure the condition quickly.
