Home remedies for dry socket
Dry socket can be extremely painful causing symptoms such as bad breath and throbbing pain in the jaw which can expand to ears and eyes as well. Dry socket is when a blood clot does not shape up properly or dislodged post a tooth extraction. The most common cause of dry socket is a bacterial infection. Keep reading to know about some useful home remedies to get relief from dry socket.
Cold compression
Cold or heat compression is one of the best home remedies to treat a dry socket. You can easily apply a cold compress at home to minimise the pain and swelling even in a day post the tooth extraction. Some experts even advice to switch alternately between cold and hot compression. For such purposes, you can use an ice pack or a bag of frozen peas. Whereas, for hot compression, a warm cloth can do the trick.
Salt water rinse
Whenever someone experiences a dental problem, the first home remedy that comes to mind is a salt water rinse. Just take a glass of warm water and add a teaspoon of salt in it. Saltwater rinse should be done atleast for 48 hours after the tooth extraction. It will moisturise the dry socket and reduce the risk of having another one in the future. Even many experts suggest this home remedy for dry socket.
Honey
Just like turmeric, honey also contains anti bacterial properties that can help in preventing severe infection and promotes wound healing. According to a study, honey reduces pain and inflammation caused by a dry socket. You can soak a cotton ball in honey and apply it on the affected area. Let it stay for atleast 5-7 minutes for best results.
Clove oil
Clove oil contains eugenol which contains anesthetic, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial properties. These help in providing pain relief and avoiding severity development of infections. In some cases, clove oil is used in professional dry socket tooth pastes as well. However, clove oil will have certain side effects, so it is best to talk to your dentist before using it as a natural remedy for dry socket.
Stay hydrated
Staying hydrated is also another natural way to get relief from the symptoms of dry socket. You should drink a good amount of clear fluids post tooth extraction to treat a dry socket. Keeping yourself hydrated will help in preventing any side effects of pain medicines, such as nausea. Besides, coconut water and clear broth soup, you should also focus on drinking plenty of plain water.
Black tea bags
Both black and green tea bags contain tannins, which plays the role of a natural antibacterial agent. It can help in reducing inflammation, swelling and pain. To use tea bags as a home remedy, keep a tea bag in a cup of boiling water for atleast 4-5 minutes. Drip it out and squeeze the extra water after it gets cool. For more effectiveness, wait for the tea bag to cool down. You can keep it in the refrigerator so that it can play the role of a cold compress.
Turmeric
Turmeric contains an agent called curcumin which helps in treating a dry socket. It has beneficial anti inflammatory properties present in it, which can help in promoting wound healing and reducing pain. You can mix turmeric powder with clove oil to apply easily on the dry socket. It will heal your wound quickly.
Aloe vera
Aloe vera contains antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties that can help in producing more collagen and promoting blood supply, which can heal your wound quickly. According to research, applying aloe vera after a tooth extraction can improve the healing process and also prevent dry socket formation. You can buy aloe vera gel from the market or use it at home using natural leaves.
