Ways To Treat Dry Socket

Cold Compress

A cold compress can be a helpful at-home remedy to help treat dry socket. This is often used alongside heat therapy techniques. After the tooth is first extracted, during the initial twenty-four-hour period of recovery, patients should use ice packs on their face for periods of fifteen minutes. The coolness of the ice causes blood vessels to constrict, which reduces the amount of fluid that builds up around the jaw or cheek. This helps prevent swelling or keep the swelling around the site manageable. Following the first day, experts recommend switching to warm washcloths to help with the pain. These have the opposite effect of the ice packs, helping the blood vessels to enlarge. This increases circulation and allows blood to bring more healing factors to the site of the extraction. If patients have dry socket, heat is most beneficial at soothing pain long term. However, ice packs and cold therapy can provide more complete numbness for the nerves when the pain is acute and excruciating.

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Tea Tree Oil

Tea tree oil is a very popular natural remedy for many different conditions. Patients should always talk to their dentist before they begin a tea tree oil regimen to treat or prevent dry socket. The same is true with other oils and supplements that are promoted as having health benefits. Studies have shown tea tree oil has analgesic, antibacterial, and antiseptic properties. This means it can help numb the extraction area, keep bacteria from festering in an open dry socket, and also help kill other contagions and irritants in the area. Individuals can purchase tea tree oil supplements in their local supermarket or through an online store. It's important to use pure tea tree oil rather than a larger supplement that simply contains the oil. Patients should add it to a piece of sterile gauze and put it over their dry socket. They might benefit from mixing one drop with a bit of black tea or honey due to the extremely strong properties. Otherwise, their mouth might get irritated.