Home Remedies for Dry Socket

Gently rinsing with warm saline, placing cold compresses on your cheeks, and taking over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories like ibuprofen can help lessen pain and swelling. However, you should still consult a dentist or physician for infections.

Dry socket, medically known as alveolar osteitis, can develop after an adult tooth has been pulled.

It happens when the blood clot at the extraction site becomes dislodged, dissolves, or never forms, exposing the underlying bone and nerve endings. This also lets food and debris collect in the wound, increasing the chance of infection.

Common signs of dry socket include:

• intense pain that may radiate from the socket to the ear, eye, temple, or neck
• a visible empty socket
• bone visible within the socket
• foul breath or an unpleasant taste in the mouth

The precise causes of dry socket are still being studied. Frequent contributors include:

• bacterial infection
• difficult or complex extractions, such as an impacted wisdom tooth
• trauma at the surgical site

You’re more likely to develop dry socket if you:

• smoke
• use oral contraceptives
• fail to follow proper post-extraction care

There are various treatments your dentist or oral surgeon can provide for dry socket. While waiting for an appointment, the home measures below can help ease symptoms.

Warm salt water

Even with prescription medication, your oral surgeon will likely recommend rinsing the area with warm salt water several times daily. This helps reduce bacteria and lower the risk of further infection.

The Mayo Clinic suggests dissolving ½ teaspoon of salt in 8 ounces of warm water. Swish it around your mouth for about a minute, or use it to flush the dry socket with a syringe provided by your surgeon. Do this at least three times a day or after eating.

Cold and heat therapy

For the first 24 hours after extraction, apply cold packs to the face for about fifteen minutes at a time to reduce swelling. After that initial period, warm compresses—such as a heated washcloth—can help control pain.

Heat is often more soothing for pain related to dry socket, while cold may numb the area more effectively. Try both to determine which gives you better relief. Always use warm rather than hot compresses, and place them against the cheek on the side where you feel pain.

Clove oil

Clove oil contains eugenol, which offers anesthetic, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial effects. It can ease pain and help stop infections from forming or worsening. For this reason, clove oil is sometimes included in professional dry socket dressings. Because it can cause adverse reactions, check with your dentist or oral surgeon before trying it.

Possible side effects include:

• rash or skin irritation
• sore gums
• swollen gums

You can place clove oil on sterile gauze and apply it to the affected area. Keep the gauze in place for no more than 20 minutes at a time until you’re sure you don’t react negatively.

Honey

Honey has anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving qualities. A 2014 study reported that honey dressings applied to dry socket significantly reduced inflammation, swelling, pain, and discomfort, and also provided evidence of preventing additional infection.

To use honey, spread raw honey on sterile gauze and place it directly over the socket. Replace the gauze every few hours if you keep it in place continuously.

Black tea bags

Black tea contains tannic acid, which functions as a natural antibacterial and helps reduce swelling and pain.

To use this remedy, steep a tea bag in boiling water for five minutes. Remove it, squeeze out extra water after it cools, and chill it in the refrigerator (not the freezer) so it can also act as a cold compress.

Gently bite down on the tea bag to hold it in place for about 15 minutes. Afterward, rinse your mouth with the remaining cooled tea.

Tea tree oil

Tea tree oil has antiseptic, antibacterial, and analgesic qualities that make it a common natural treatment.

Tea tree oil is available online and in many stores. For this use, select pure tea tree oil rather than products that merely contain it.

You can place tea tree oil on sterile gauze and set it over the dry socket. Because tea tree oil is potent, consider diluting a drop or two with honey or black tea before applying to the gauze to lower the chance of irritation.

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Oregano oil

Oregano oil has antibacterial properties and might even work against certain drug-resistant bacteria. This can be relevant for infections causing or occurring in a dry socket.

You can apply oregano oil straight to the area or soak sterile gauze with it and place the gauze over the dry socket several times a day.

Chamomile tea

Chamomile offers antioxidant properties that support healing. Its anti-inflammatory effects can quickly calm swelling and pain from dry socket. Most supermarkets carry chamomile if you don’t already have some at home.

Use chamomile tea bags similarly to black tea: steep for five minutes, let cool, and apply the tea bag to the area for about 15 minutes. If that’s uncomfortable, sipping the cooled tea can also help.

Over-the-counter NSAIDs

Over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen can reduce both pain and swelling. They won’t treat or prevent infection, but they can manage discomfort until you see your dentist.

Check with your dentist before taking any OTC medicines. Do not take NSAIDs or other OTC drugs if you are already using prescription pain medications after your extraction. If your dentist treats your dry socket, inform them of any medicines you’ve taken.

Avoid tobacco and other irritants

Smoking and tobacco use raise your risk of dry socket and can hinder treatment. Avoid all smoking and tobacco products while you’re healing and managing dry socket.

Avoid other irritants as well, even in liquid form. Spicy foods and alcohol can heighten discomfort. Stick to soft foods to prevent reopening the socket or trapping debris in it.

Risks and side effects

Dry socket is often intensely painful, making it difficult to ignore. If not treated, it can lead to further complications.

The most common issue is delayed healing. The socket may require additional medicated dressings and close monitoring to heal correctly.

Infection of the socket can also occur and, if untreated, may spread to the bone. This could necessitate oral or IV antibiotics to control the infection.

There are limited risks associated with home remedies for dry socket aside from allergic reactions, but consult your doctor first to ensure these treatments are appropriate for you.

Although research indicates potential health benefits, the FDA does not regulate the purity or quality of essential oils. Discuss use with your doctor before beginning essential oils and choose reputable brands. Always perform a patch test before applying them.

The takeaway

Dry socket can be extremely painful. Begin treatment as soon as symptoms appear. While waiting to see your oral surgeon, you can use the home remedies above to manage pain and symptoms.

Thankfully, dry socket usually responds well to treatment. Symptoms should begin to improve shortly after care and typically resolve within three to four days. If symptoms persist, schedule another appointment with your dentist for further evaluation and treatment.