12 Home remedies for dark dry socket pain

Dry socket, also called alveolar osteitis, is a very painful dental problem. It may develop about 4 – 5 days after your tooth is pulled. It is particularly common after having one wisdom tooth extracted.

After the tooth extraction, it will form a blood clot at the site in order to protect the nerve and bone endings. Dry socket often occurs when the blood clot is dislodged or dissolved before the wound has cured.

Experts do not also know the exact reason for this. Nevertheless, bacterial infections, a small piece of your bone remaining in this wound after extraction, and the tissue and bone trauma during the tooth extraction are the possible causes.

There are also some certain factors increase the risk of growing dry socket such as excessive smoking and usage of other tobacco products, taking oral contraceptives, having a dense jawbone, use of corticosteroids, and past history of getting dry a socket or any type of oral infection.

People who suffer from dry socket experience some symptoms that can include throbbing pain near and in the socket, a visible bone in your socket that is so sensitive to touch, pain on the same side of your face as the extraction, swelling in some soft tissues surrounding your socket, bad breath, swollen lymph nodes, mild fever, and a bad taste in your mouth.

Top 12 Home Remedies For Dry Socket Pain

It is very important for you to treat dry socket timely to minimize the discomfort and pain. You may help to promote healing and reduce some symptoms by using home remedies. Moreover, you should also follow some instructions given by a dentist. In this article, VKool.com will introduce to you top 12 home remedies for dry socket pain without any side effect from reliable sources. Nevertheless, you should only refer it to the informational target and you have to consult your doctor to get medical advice. Continue reading this writing to understand more!

1. Cold Compress

home remedies for dry socket - cold compress

The pain in your cheek and jaw is common among people who suffer from dry socket. And a cold compress is considered one of the simple home remedies for dry socket that you may easily use at home in order to alleviate the pain. In fact, the cold temperature contains a numbing effect on your nerves, which can reduce pain.

Ingredients:

  • Cold water
  • A thin towel

Directions:

  • At first, you dip the thin towel into the cold water.
  • Then, you wring it out to remove the excess water.
  • Next, you place this cold towel onto your face where you’re experiencing pain.
  • Now, you hold it on there for about 15 to 17 minutes.
  • You should repeat this process for about 4 or 5 times per day for two days.
  • After two days, you switch to warm compresses in order to help in reducing pain and swelling.

Learn more: The book of whitening Teeth secrets

2. Clove Oil

home remedies for dry socket - clove oil

Clove oil is proven to be one of the effective home remedies for dry socket that you should try. Its analgesic and anesthetic properties help to reduce the throbbing pain, which makes it more difficult to move the head.

In addition, clove oil acts by working as one physical barrier between your exposed nerve and exposed bone endings and your oral environment. It can also help to ease the pain as well as reduce the visits to the emergency rooms.

Ingredients:

  • A small cotton swab
  • Clove oil

Directions:

  • Firstly, you dip the small cotton swab into a little clove oil.
  • Then, you place this swab into the socket for about 1 minute.
  • After that, you remove this swab.
  • Finally, you rinse your mouth with lukewarm water.
  • You should do this way for a few times during the day.

See more: Useful ways to remove tooth decay pain naturally & effectively at home

3. Tea Tree Oil

home remedies for dry socket - tea tree oil

In fact, tea tree oil contains a natural antiseptic property that can heal some conditions such as a dry socket. It may even prevent infection of your gums and tooth if impurities are stuck where your raw bone is exposed.

Ingredients:

  • A cotton swab
  • Tea tree oil – 1 to 2 drops

Directions:

  • At first, you dip the cotton swab into the water to moisten it.
  • Then, you put the tea tree essential oil onto it.
  • Next, you gently press this swab against the affected area.
  • Now, you wait for about 5 minutes.
  • Finally, you rinse this area with warm water.
  • You can do this remedy for about 2 or 3 times per day as needed.

Read more: Simple ways to use tea tree oil correctly and safely

4. Saline Water Rinse

home remedies for dry socket - saline water rinse

Gently washing the mouth with lukewarm salt water 1 day after the tooth extraction is also one of other effective home remedies for dry socket pain. The warmth of this solution will help in reducing the swelling and pain while the salt will aid in preventing any infection.

According to a 2024 study, saline mouth rinses are very beneficial in preventing alveolar osteitis after the dental extractions. This study also suggests using this saline mouth rinse for about 2 times daily.

Ingredients:

  • Tables salt – 1/2 teaspoon
  • Warm water – 1 glass

Directions:

  • At first, you mix table salt into the glass of warm water.
  • Then, you stir them thoroughly so that the salt dissolves in the water completely.
  • Now, you use this solution to wash your mouth gently.
  • You should do this way for about 2 or 3 times per day.

Learn more: Home treatments for abscess tooth swelling & infection

5. Avoid Using Tobacco

home remedies for dry socket - avoid using tobacco

Both chewing tobacco products and smoking cigarettes can increase the risk of dry socket. In fact, the harmful toxins and chemicals in cigarettes and some other forms of tobacco will prevent the healing process. They can even contaminate the affected area and slow down the healing time.

Moreover, the act of smoking and chewing tobacco can physically dislodge a blood clot.

According to a 2024 study in the Journal of Open Dentistry, single extractions, surgical trauma and smoking are predisposing factors for the occurrence of this problem.

Therefore, it is recommended that you should completely stop smoking before and after the extraction. If needed, you can seek the help from your experts to quit permanently.

See more: Best natural home treatments for tooth infection

6. Black Tea Bags

home remedies for dry socket - black tea bags

Using black tea bags is regarded as one of the simple home remedies for dry socket pain that you should not pass. The tannic acid found in the tea bag acts as a natural antibiotic and aids in reducing the pain and swelling.

Ingredients:

  • Tea bag – 1
  • Hot water – 1 cup

Directions:

  • At first, you immerse this tea bag into the cup of hot water for about 5 minutes.
  • Then, you remove and squeeze it out to remove the excess water.
  • Next, you put the tea bag into the refrigerator for about 15 minutes and let the tea aside cool down.
  • Now, you place this cold tea bag onto the dry socket.
  • After that, you bite down on this tea bag with the teeth to keep it for at least 6 to 10 minutes.
  • Finally, you use the tea to wash your mouth.
  • You should repeat this method as needed.

If you want to know more home remedies for dry socket pain, you should continue reading the next part of this article!

7. Garlic

home remedies for dry socket - garlic

Because garlic is a natural antibiotic and has an anti-inflammatory property, it is also very effective in reducing pain in your gums and teeth caused by a dry socket. In addition, it may even decrease the risk of any infection.

Here are two home remedies for dry socket pain using garlic that you should try!

Remedy 1: Fresh garlic

Ingredient:

  • Fresh garlic clove – 1

Directions:

  • Firstly, you place this fresh garlic clove into your mouth.
  • Then, you crush it with the teeth.
  • When the garlic juice spread inside the mouth, the pain will subside gradually.
  • After 5 minutes, you spit this clove out of your mouth.
  • Finally, you rinse your mouth with lukewarm water.
  • You should do this way for about 2 or 3 times per day or as needed.

Remedy 2: Garlic paste

Ingredients:

  • Fresh garlic cloves – 2
  • A little salt
  • A mortar and pestle

Directions:

  • At first, you add these fresh garlic cloves and salt into mortar and pestle.
  • Then, you make them a paste.
  • Now, you apply this paste onto the extraction site for about 30 minutes.
  • Finally, you rinse this area with warm water.
  • You should repeat this remedy as needed to relieve the pain.

See more: Simple tips to use garlic for sinus infection

8. Turmeric Powder And Water Or Milk

home remedies for dry socket - turmeric powder and water or milk

Being an anti-inflammatory and analgesic herb, turmeric can help to reduce the pain of one dry socket. Apart from reducing the pain, turmeric can also decrease the healing time.

There are two home remedies for dry socket pain using turmeric powder you should not skip!

Remedy 1: Turmeric power and water or milk

Ingredients:

  • Turmeric powder – 1 teaspoon
  • Water or milk – a little
  • A cotton swab

Directions:

  • Firstly, you mix turmeric powder and water or milk to make a paste.
  • Then, you dip this cotton swab into this paste,
  • Next, you apply it onto the affected area.
  • Now, you wait for about 20 minutes.
  • Finally, you rinse your mouth with warm water.
  • You should do this way for about 2 to 3 times per day, as needed.

Remedy 2: Turmeric powder and warm water

Ingredients:

  • Turmeric powder – 1 teaspoon
  • Warm water – 1 teaspoon

Directions:

  • At first, you add turmeric powder into the glass of warm water.
  • Then, you mix them well.
  • Finally, you use this solution to wash your mouth.
  • You should do this process for a few times per day till the pain is gone.

9. Stay Hydrated And Eat Soft Foods

home remedies for dry socket - stay hydrated and eat soft foods

After removing the wisdom tooth, it is essential for you to stay hydrated to decrease the risk of one dry socket. Lack of fluid in your body delays healing of your wound and halts cellular migration, reduced oxygenation of your blood.

Moreover, after a dental extraction 2 days, you need to be very careful about what you consume.

  • You should drink enough plain water throughout the day. Nevertheless, you should try to drink it from the side of your mouth opposite from the tooth extraction site.
  • You should stick to soft foods such as smoothies, yogurt, applesauce, boiled eggs, boiled potatoes, and clear soup and pudding. When your wound starts healing, you can shift from soft to some semi-soft foods.
  • You may even eat ice cream. Because it is cold, it can help to reduce pain.
  • You do not consume anything that can leave residual food particles in the mouth for several days.
  • You have to avoid consuming hard, chewy, spicy, and crunchy foods for several days. These foods can pool in the socket as well as cause infection or irritation.
  • While eating, you have to chew them on the opposite side with the pain site.

Read more: Easy tips to cure a tooth infection naturally at home

10. Apple Cider Vinegar And Water

home remedies for dry socket - apple cider vinegar and water

Using apple cider vinegar to cleanse your mouth can help to prevent infection after a tooth extraction due to its anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties.

Ingredients:

  • Raw apple cider vinegar – 1 part
  • Water – 1 part

Directions:

  • At first, you mix equal parts of water and apple cider vinegar.
  • Then, you use this solution as a mouth rinse.
  • You should rinse your mouth with this for about 2 or 3 times per day.
  • Another option, you dip a cotton ball into the solution prepared above. Then, you place it onto the affected area. Now, you hold it on there for about 10 to 12 minutes. You should repeat this process for about 2 times per day.

Learn more: Best use apple cider vinegar for scalp

Additional Tips:

  • Always visit an oral surgeon or dentist with experience in the tooth extractions.
  • Do not raise the dosage of prescription medication or take too many painkillers without consulting a dentist.
  • Visit a dentist as scheduled for the changes of dressing and other care. If the pain worsens or returns before your next appointment, you feel free to help your dentist.
  • Use antibacterial toothpaste and mouthwashes before and after surgery.
  • If women taking oral contraceptives want to remove their wisdom teeth, they should schedule it in the last week of the monthly birth control pills. In fact, high estrogen levels because of oral contraceptives can increase the risk of this problem.
  • After a tooth extraction surgery a few days, you have to avoid the extraction site when brushing your teeth.
  • You do not drink alcoholic, carbonated, hot, or caffeinated beverages in the first two days.
  • After your surgery 1 week, you have to avoid rigorous exercise as well as other physical activities that can lead to dislodging the blood clot in the socket.
  • You should not use straws for drinking anything in the first week of one extraction to decrease the risk of this tooth problem.
  • Before your surgery, you always inform a dentist about any over-the-counter medications, supplements, or prescription you are taking.
  • You should maintain a proper oral hygiene to aid in healing a dry socket.
  • You shouldn’t touch the wound with the fingers or other objects.
  • You have to try to sleep with the head elevated to decrease the pain.

If you want to know more about natural, at home remedies for other diseases and conditions go to our main Home Remedies page. After reading the article of top 12 home remedies for dry socket pain, hope that it can help you find out the best solution to get rid of this problem quickly and safely. However, the article is only for the informational purpose, thus, you should meet your doctor to get advice before applying any home remedy. If you have any question, or you know other natural home remedies for dry socket pain, please leave them below.

Related articles:

Natural home treatments for wisdom tooth pain relief

Home treatments for sore gums after tooth extraction

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