Dry Socket Treatment

Wednesday, September 13, 2006

In my previous article,What is a dry socket?, I discussed exactly what Alveolar Osteitis (dry socket) is, the symptoms of a dry socket, and how to prevent a dry socket. Today, I am going to discuss dry socket treatment.

Dry Socket Treatment
It is very important to go back to whomever extracted the tooth, your dentist or oral surgeon, immediately. Do not wait! Even if you have to go to the emergency room in the middle of the night, do it. The pain will not go away on it's own and other complications, such as an infection, can begin to develop in the socket.

The dentist or oral surgeon, will irrigate the socket to remove any debris. Once the socket is clean, a medicated dressing is packed into the socket. The dressing does two things;
1. The dressing blocks the bone from being exposed to air and debris.
2. The medication in the dressing will kill the pain as well as promote healing.

After the dressing is placed, you will be given instructions on what to do and what not to do and information on what is normal for the next 24-48 hours. The dentist or oral surgeon will have you return the next day, or within two days at most, to change the dressing and evaluate the socket.

Your dentist or oral surgeon may prescribe antibiotics to either help treat an existing infection or to reduce the risk of an infection developing. Take the antibiotics in the recommended dosage and until the antibiotics are all gone. If you skip dosages or fail to take the antibiotic until finished, you run the risk of developing an infection in the socket.

Along with antibiotics, you may also be prescribed pain medication. Take the medication as directed.

Some people choose dry socket treatment at home with clove oil. Clove oil is very effective in relieving tooth pain and pain from a dry socket. However, it is very important to go see your dentist or oral surgeon to have the extraction site evaluated. Several complications can develop after an extraction, especially with difficult or complicated extractions. This is why it is very important to let your dentist or oral surgeon have a look at the extraction site.