You can treat dry socket or alveolar osteitis with clove oil (eugenol) at home. Even dentists and pharmacists recommend it.
Dry socket is a common complication after tooth extraction. It happens when the blood clot that occurs after the tooth extraction to protect the bone is partially or fully lost and the bone inside the socket is exposed.
Dry socket is a painful condition as the bone and nerve gets exposed to air, fluid and food that enter your mouth. This can cause infection.
Clove oil gives you pain relief and protects you from infection in the dry socket.
Table of Contents
- What is Dry Socket after Tooth Extraction?
- How Clove Oil Treats Dry Socket?
- How to Use Clove Oil for Dry Socket?
- Clove Oil
- Clove Oil and Honey
- Clove Oil and Turmeric
- Additional Benefits of Clove Oil
- Non Clove Oil Based Remedies for Dry Socket
- Other Tips and Precautions
It is estimated that 2-5% people may get dry sockets after the tooth extraction.
Let us begin to understand what really happens when a tooth is pulled out.
Once the tooth is completely pulled out from the root a whole is formed. Body’s protective mechanism immediately forms blood to clot in that hole.
This clotting archives two objectives, one is to stop bleeding and the other is to cover the jaw bone and nerves to get exposed. That is why the dentist will ask you to stop taking blood thinners if you are taking it a few days before the tooth extraction. Blood thinners make it difficult to clot the blood.
Dry socket generally occurs after a day or two of the tooth extraction. It causes severe pain as the bone and nerves get exposed to anything that goes to your mouth including air, fluid and food. The pain gradually increases and can radiate to your ears. You will get bad breath too.
Dentists usually prescribe nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID), such as Aspirin or Ibuprofen for pain relief. stronger drugs may be recommended for more severe pain.
Let us first understand what a doctor does after pulling your tooth out.
Doctor cleans the area with antiseptic and places a medical dressing on the extraction site. Most dressings have eugenol or clove oil in it.
Clove oil contains eugenol which is anesthetic, antibiotics and anti-inflammatory. It helps to stop bleeding, fight bacteria and relieve pain.
You can use clove oil alone or with other natural products to heal dry socket fast as under:
You can apply clove oil dressing on your dry socket as under
- Clean your mouth with saline water to remove any food debris from the tooth socket.
- Dip a qtip in clove oil
- Apply the clove oil on the qtip in the tooth socket
- Cover it with a cotton ball which fits in the tooth socket
- Remove and discard the cotton ball every 24 hours and repeat the process
Clove oil is strong and if it gives any irritation it allergic reaction then stop using it.
Honey is anti-inflammatory and analgesic. It reduces pain inflammation and discomfort of dry socket and prevents further infection.
- Clean the area with saline water to remove any debris.
- Add a drop of honey and clove oil each on a cotton ball which can fit the extracted tooth socket.
- Slide the cotton ball in the socket
- Change this dressing every 24 hours or when it gets dislodged by accident
Turmeric is also antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and antiseptic to relieve you from pain and inflammation of the dry socket.
- Add a drop of clove oil in a pinch of turmeric powder and mix well to make a tick paste
- Place this mix on a cotton ball that can fit in the tooth socket
- Slide the cotton ball in the socket with turmeric paste on the socket
- Replace it every 24 hours by discarding the old dressing
You should consult your dentist during the entire self help process so that your dentist can monitor your progress and intervene when required.
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Following are some of the common home remedies for dry socketies for dry socket
- Honey
- Oregano oil
- Tea tree oil
- Salt water
- Black tea bags
- Cold compress
- Apple cider vinegar
- Garlic
- Turmeric
Following tips and precautions will help you to prevent and deal with dry socket effectively.
- Stop smoking as harmful chemicals from tobacco prevent fast healing
- Eat soft food to avoid debris to get stuck in the extraction site
- Take ice creams as cold food helps pain relief
- Do not drink fluids with straw as excess air can cause dry socket
- Make sure your medical dressings are regularly changed.
If there is any allergic reaction in using clove oil or other home remedies then consult your dentist.
FAQs
People can use clove oil to ease the pain of dry socket by applying one or two drops to a clean gauze and placing it on the tooth extraction site. People should only use clove oil as a temporary remedy. Excessive use of eugenol can lead to necrosis, which is cell death resulting from a lack of blood supply.
How to apply clove oil for dry socket? ›
You can add clove oil to sterile gauze and apply it directly to the affected area. Only keep the gauze on for 20 minutes at a time until you're sure that you won't experience side effects.
How to fix a dry socket at home? ›
Lifestyle and home remedies
- Take pain medicines as prescribed.
- Do not smoke or use tobacco products.
- Drink plenty of clear liquids. ...
- Rinse your mouth gently with warm salt water several times a day.
- Brush your teeth gently around the dry socket area.
- Be careful with eating or drinking.
Aspirin or ibuprofen can help relieve some pain. Still, you may need a prescription medicine from your dentist or oral surgeon. If you believe the clot over your extraction site has become dislodged, call your dentist.
How long should dry socket packing stay in? ›
Dressings are “packed” lightly into the socket and provide immediate pain relief. They typically remain in place for three to five days. Some will slowly break up in a few days, but gauze may require another trip to the dentist to be removed.
How to make dry socket paste? ›
Ingredients for Dry Socket Paste:
- 1/2 tablespoon coconut oil.
- 15 drops clove oil.
- 1/2 cup honey.
- 1 1/2 tablespoons ground turmeric.
The oil should never be applied to the gums undiluted. To use clove oil for a toothache: Add 3 to 5 drops of clove oil to 1 teaspoon of an edible neutral carrier oil like olive oil, canola oil, grapeseed oil, or sweet almond oil. Dab a cotton ball into the diluted oil and apply it to the affected gums (not the tooth).
How long do I leave clove oil on my tooth? ›
Gently swipe the swab or ball around the area that is bothering you. Or place the cotton ball over the area. Allow the oil sit for 5 to 10 minutes before it starts working. Reapply every 2 to 3 hours for relief.
What makes dry socket pain worse? ›
Intense pain happens when the underlying bone and nerves are exposed. Pain occurs in the socket and along the nerves to the side of the face. The socket becomes swollen and irritated. It may fill with bits of food, making the pain worse.
How many days does dry socket pain last? ›
Dry socket is a condition that can occur after tooth removal. It usually happens 3–5 days after surgery, and lasts up to 7 days. Dry socket causes intense pain because it exposes the nerves and bones in the gum. Dry socket, or alveolar osteitis, can last for up to 7 days.
After flushing the socket to remove food and debris, your dentist will pack it with a medicated dressing in the form of a paste. One of the ingredients in dry socket paste is eugenol, which is present in clove oil and acts as an anesthetic. Eugenol also has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties.
How do you know your dry socket is healing? ›
DRY SOCKET SYMPTOMS
With most dental extractions, a patient will experience some level of pain and discomfort on the first 3-4 days following the procedure. With each day the patient should feel less and less pain as the healing process progresses.
When can I stop worrying about a dry socket? ›
A dry socket is only a concern for as long as it takes for your mouth to heal after an extraction. For most patients who've had a tooth extracted, that healing should take between seven and ten days.
Can dry socket heal without packing? ›
Yes, in most cases a dry socket will heal on its own. However, because most people experience moderate to severe dry socket pain, seeing your dentist for prompt treatment can help ease discomfort sooner.
Can I put clove oil directly on a dry socket? ›
If it gets loosened or comes out, apply some clove oil directly on the socket. It may create a stinging sensation, though. You may choose to take a dropper to apply clove oil on the socket. Be careful not to apply too much oil as it may sting the gum or tongue.
Does salt water stop dry socket? ›
Q: Does salt water prevent dry socket? Yes, salt water can help prevent dry socket. Rinsing your mouth with a saltwater solution several times a day after an extraction can be beneficial to the healing process.
Is there anything you can buy over the counter for a dry socket? ›
You can also take some over-the-counter pain relievers such as acetaminophen (Tylenol), naproxen (Aleve), or ibuprofen (Advil). Gargling with warm salt water (½ teaspoon of salt into 8 ounces of warm water) at least three times a day will also help.
How to do oil pulling with clove oil? ›
Add a few drops of clove oil to a tablespoon of carrier oil and swirl it around in your mouth for a few minutes. Once you feel the numbing effect taking place, spit the clove oil out, being careful not to swallow any in the process. Then, rinse your mouth out well with water.
Can you put clove oil on extraction site? ›
You can also put vanilla extract or clove oil on the extraction site, using a cotton ball. Vanilla extract is rich in antioxidants and can numb the gum area, whereas clove oil has antibacterial and antiseptic properties. If the flavor of the clove oil is too strong, you may want to dilute it first with olive oil.
What is the best way to use clove oil? ›
Clove bud oil can be used in a massage oil blend or as a balm to help relieve symptoms of arthritis, sprains, strains, and muscle pain, as well as rheumatism. Insecticide: Eugenol, the active ingredient in clove oil, repels insects (such as ants) and pests (such as mites, ticks, and spiders).
