Content

• Steps
• Part 1 of 4: Diagnosing a Dry Socket
• Part 2 of 4: Easy Treatments
• Part 3 of 4: More Advanced Treatments
• Part 4 of 4: Dry Socket Prevention
• Tips
• Warnings

If you have recently had one or more teeth removed, you may develop one or more dry sockets (osteitis alveolaris). A dry socket is formed when a blood clot in a problem area dissolves too quickly, exposing bone, as well as sensitive nerve endings that are vulnerable to bacteria and other irritants present in the oral cavity. As a result, the alveolar bone suffers - it takes about four days for a new protective membrane to form. This can cause infection, pain, and inflammation about 2 to 3 days after tooth extraction. Although the dry socket heals over time, it can cause severe pain and discomfort. Learn how to treat a dry socket to help relieve pain and speed up healing.

Attention:the information in this article is for informational purposes only. Before using any methods, consult your doctor.

Steps

Part 1 of 4: Diagnosing a Dry Socket

1. 1 Recognize the symptoms. A dry hole has some typical symptoms that can identify this problem. The most common symptoms of a dry hole are:
   • severe pain, often spreading from the place of the extracted tooth to the entire side of the face, with which you have to constantly fight;
   • a noticeable "void" at the site of the extracted tooth, and this entire area is gray, in contrast to the usual pink, red, white or yellow, which indicate a normal healing process;
   • bone is visible in the open wound in the gum;
   • swollen lymph nodes in the lower jaw and / or neck;
   • heat;
   • bad taste or odor in the mouth.
2. 2 Learn about the risks. Although anyone can develop a dry socket after oral surgery, there are certain risk factors that make it more likely to occur - smoking, using estrogen-based oral contraceptives, taking corticosteroids, poor oral hygiene, and not following your dentist's recommendations.
3. 3 Visit your dentist. If you suspect that you have a dry socket after oral surgery or tooth extraction, contact your dentist immediately.

Part 2 of 4: Easy Treatments

1. 1 Take pain relievers. While pain relievers will not help heal a wound or prevent infection, they can help reduce the pain caused by a dry socket. Ask your doctor for prescriptions or take over-the-counter medications such as aspirin or paracetamol.
   • Do NOT give aspirin to children or adolescents under any circumstances. In children and adolescents, aspirin can cause complications that disrupt the functioning of the liver and brain. Talk to your pediatrician about which medications are best for your child.
   • Do not exceed the recommended dosage of ibuprofen as it may cause severe stomach or intestinal bleeding.
2. 2 Apply ice or cold compresses to the appropriate side of your face. Do this only for the first 48 hours.
   • Place ice cubes in a sandwich bag or wrap them in a clean towel. If you don't have ice, you can use a bag of frozen vegetables instead (wrap it in a paper towel).
   • Apply the compress to the sore side of your face. Remove it if you feel it burns your skin or might damage it.
   • Apply an ice pack for 20 minutes, then take a 20 minute break.
   • After two days, you should switch to warm compresses, so after 48 hours, cold compresses will stop relieving swelling and inflammation.
3. 3 Maintain water balance. Drink natural fluids, especially plain water at room temperature, after surgery.
   • Refrain from alcohol after surgery.
   • Water at room temperature is best suited for maintaining the body's water balance. Alternatively, you can alternate the water with sugar-free sports drinks.
4. 4 Gargle with salt water. This will help you clear away dead tissue from the wound and relieve inflammation.
   • Add about half a teaspoon (3.5 grams) of salt to a glass (240 milliliters) of lukewarm water.
   • Stir the water well to dissolve the salt completely.
   • Rinse your mouth very carefully with water: pay special attention to the sore spot, but do not apply negative pressure to it, otherwise the blood clot may move.
   • Rinse your mouth with salt water after every meal and before bed, and at other times as needed.
5. 5 Refrain from smoking and tobacco. Smoking can dislodge the blood clot, and chewing tobacco and cigarette smoke can further irritate the wound and increase pain and inflammation.
   • If you are unable to completely quit smoking until the dry hole heals, try using a nicotine patch.
   • Talk to your doctor about possible alternatives to smoking.
6. 6 Try clove oil. Try applying a few drops of clove oil to an open sore in your mouth - this can sometimes help relieve pain. This method should not be considered as a substitute for medical advice and assistance. It is only suitable for temporary pain relief if you cannot seek immediate medical attention.
   • Apply 1–2 drops of clove oil to a clean cotton ball.
   • Blot the gum at the site of the extracted tooth with a cotton ball.
   • Repeat as needed to relieve pain and inflammation.

Part 3 of 4: More Advanced Treatments

1. 1 Rinse dry well. Flushing is one of the common dry socket treatments. It removes food debris and other dirt and reduces the risk of infection. The flushing can be done by a dentist or dental surgeon. It can also be done at home if you have the appropriate tools.
   • Use a clean plastic syringe with a curved tip.
   • Fill a syringe with clean water or a clean aqueous solution of salt, or use a doctor-recommended rinse solution. You can even use an alcohol-free mouthwash.
   • Rinse the dry socket at various angles starting from the third day after tooth extraction. Wash off any visible dirt.
   • Rinse the dry socket after each meal and before bed until the wound begins to heal and no more dirt accumulates in it.
2. 2 Apply a medicated bandage. After the tooth is removed, the surgeon or dentist may apply a medicated dressing to the wound. The medicine will help relieve pain and prevent infection. Most likely, the dressing will need to be changed every day, although the dental surgeon will give precise recommendations regarding this.

Part 4 of 4: Dry Socket Prevention

1. 1 Ask your dental surgeon to apply a bandage immediately after surgery. This has been shown to reduce the likelihood of developing a dry socket. Sewing the wound together will also help prevent a dry socket from forming.
2. 2 Use an antibacterial mouthwash. It is best to use this liquid immediately before and immediately after surgery.
   • Unscrew the cap and pour mouthwash into it. Dilute the liquid with water in a 1: 1 ratio.
   • Gently rinse your mouth with the liquid, moving your tongue from one cheek to the other. You can also focus on the sore spot.
   • Spit liquid into the sink.
   • If you feel a burning sensation in your mouth after doing this, immediately rinse your mouth out with water.
3. 3 Eat soft foods. This is especially important during the first 24 hours after surgery. As the wound heals, gradually switch to semi-soft foods, but at the same time it is better to refrain from hard, fragile, requiring careful chewing and spicy foods, as they can clog into the hole and cause irritation or infection.
4. 4 Refrain from tobacco. Do not smoke for at least 48 hours after oral surgery. If you are used to chewing tobacco, do not chew for at least one week after your surgery. Tobacco can increase irritation, delay healing, and increase the risk of infection.

Tips

• Be prepared for possible problems. If you are going to be away from home for a few hours, be sure to bring paracetamol, a syringe and everything you need with you. You may feel good in the moment, but the pain may recur, so be prepared for it.
• Avoid bacon, sandwiches, and rice for several days.
• Do not smoke until your gums are healed.

Warnings

• Using drinking straws for the first week after tooth extraction will greatly increase the likelihood of a dry socket forming.
• Smoking within the first 24 to 48 hours after tooth extraction can also increase the risk of a dry socket.
• Dry sockets form after oral surgery in 30% of women taking oral contraceptives.It is best to remove wisdom teeth in the last week of the menstrual cycle (23-28 days).
• Do not increase the dosage of pain relievers or take multiple medications at the same time without first consulting your doctor.