September 18, 2019

Is a Dry Socket Causing You Pain? Here are 5 Tips to Help

Dr. Chilcoat @ 12:00 pm

person holding their mouth in pain

After visiting your oral surgeon in Dallas, you’ve successfully had your wisdom teeth removed and are looking forward to a speedy recovery. The one thing that’s weighing on your mind is the fear of getting dry sockets. These occur when the blood clots that have formed to help heal your gums have come loose or never developed after your extraction, leaving sensitive nerve and bone tissue exposed. If you begin to experience severe discomfort, here are five tips that can help provide you with relief after your follow-up visit with your surgeon.

Rinse Your Mouth With Salt Water

Whether you have dry sockets or want to prevent them, rinsing your mouth with salt water after surgery can help reduce bacteria and swelling. In a study published in Evidence-Based Dentistry, researchers discovered that patients who didn’t rinse their mouth with salt water after their surgery were more likely to develop dry sockets as opposed to those that did. Doing this will also help speed up your recovery.

Use a Cold Compress

If you have dry sockets or are experiencing swelling, applying a cold compress to the outside area of your face can help ease your discomfort. You can use an ice pack on the affected area throughout the day, applying it in 10-minute increments with 10-minute breaks in-between. This is especially helpful to do in the 24 to 72 hours following your surgery.

Stay Hydrated With Clear Fluids

After your surgery, hydrating yourself by drinking plenty of clear fluids like water or a clear broth can help you avoid side effects of pain medication, and even help heal a dry socket. Also, drinking green tea can ease any tooth pain and prevent infection because of its anti-inflammatory properties.

Avoid Certain Habits After Your Surgery

If you have dry sockets, there are certain habits and actions that you’ll want to avoid so they can heal properly and quickly. It’s best to quit smoking and drinking alcohol because they can affect the blood flow in your mouth and slow the healing process. It’s also a good idea to avoid consuming beverages through a straw because the pressure can dislodge the blood clot or dressing that your oral surgeon has placed.

Eat Honey

In a recent study conducted in 2016, researches found that honey can help soothe pain and relieve inflammation in people that have dry sockets. Not only does it have antibacterial properties to help prevent infections, but it can also prevent decreased blood flow that slows down healing. The best way to use honey is to dab a soaked piece of sterile gauze on the extraction site.

While these home remedies can help ease your discomfort, be sure to visit your oral surgeon if you experience severe pain and swlling for over a week following your surgery. They will be able to provide the relief you need and stop the problem from becoming worse. They will provide you with the necessary medications to help heal the sockets quickly and prevent any additional oral damage from occurring.

About the Author

Dr. Christopher Brown graduated Magna Cum Laude and has accepted several awards for his achievements in oral surgery from the University of Maryland. He completed an additional one-year internship in oral and maxillofacial surgery and gained a wide range of skills and knowledge. He is passionate about providing his patients with comfortable, high-quality care that they can trust. For questions or to schedule an appointment because you’re experiencing intense dry socket pain, visit Texas Wisdom Teeth and Dental Implants’ website or call 972-960-1111.

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