Dry socket treatments: Cures for dry sockets.

Treating dry sockets.

How do you treat a dry socket?

The best treatment for a dry socket typically comes from a dentist. And that is the subject of this page. There are things that a person can do on their own, however, the this type of treatment is typically less comprehensive in nature.

When a dentist provides the care, their treatment is generally focused on two factors. Providing pain relief, and support and assistance.

What is the "cure" for dry sockets?

Actually, there is no true "cure" for a dry socket. This is why:

As we've discussed previously, the dry socket condition involves a situation where an extraction site's healing process has been delayed. Over time, the wound can still be expected to go ahead and heal on its own. It's just that it will take longer (and be more painful) than it would have been otherwise.

Dry socket treatments don't speed up extraction site healing (although your dentist's attention may help to create a more predictable healing environment). Instead, they simply help to reduce the amount of discomfort that the patient experiences while the (now prolonged) healing process takes place.

So, the "cure" for a dry socket is simply time. What treatments do is make this healing time more bearable.

Related content: How long will your dry sockets last?

Can you treat a dry socket on your own?

You can do a lot to help to prevent a dry socket but once one forms, it's best to seek treatment directly from your dentist.

Using OTC analgesics and dry socket home remedies.

You'll find that the discomfort caused by a dry socket is usually difficult to control with analgesics (pain pills) alone, either non-prescription or prescription. A more effective approach for creating pain relief involves placing medication directly into the socket. We discuss at-home and home remedy treatment solutions for dry sockets here.

How do dentists treat dry sockets?

The best treatment solution for a dry socket involves returning to your dentist's office so they can place a medicated dressing in your extraction site.

Initially your dentist will need to diagnose your condition. They will need to quiz you about your symptoms and visually inspect your wound.

Then, after having evaluated your situation, if your dentist feels that a dry socket is forming, this is the type of treatment that they'll probably provide.

A) Dentists treat dry sockets with medicated dressings.

• First, the dentist will wash out the extraction site. (They want to wash out any loose debris that might inhibit the healing process or possibly create a secondary bacterial infection.)
• The dentist will then smear some medicated paste on a piece of gauze (or other type of carrier) and then place it directly into the tooth socket.
• In most cases, placing the medication is very quick and no anesthetic in needed.
• The dressing is typically changed every 24 to 48 hours, for 3 to 6 days. However, the exact frequency and duration is simply dictated by the patient's comfort requirements.
• The patient may experience dramatic pain relief, even within the hour, once the dry socket dressing has been placed.

This treatment doesn't speed up the healing process (in fact, it actually delays it somewhat). Its only purpose is producing pain relief. Once enough healing has taken place and the discomfort from the socket has substantially subsided, the treatment is discontinued.

What ingredients do dry socket medications contain?

The specific dry socket paste that a dentist will use will vary, based on their previous experience with different products. Some of the ingredients frequently included in these medications are eugenol (extract of clove oil, an analgesic), benzocaine (an anesthetic) and iodophorm (an antimicrobial).

B) Your dentist may write you a prescription for pain pills.

Depending on your needs, your dentist may also write you a prescription for an analgesic (pain pills), or explain the use of a non-prescription alternative. These items are seldom effective in controlling dry-socket pain on their own. They are typically only used in conjunction with the placement of dry-socket paste.

C) Taking antibiotics is not usually indicated.

Dry socket formation involves a scenario where an extraction site's healing process is delayed due to the loss of its blood clot. This situation is different from having a bacterial infection and for that reason the use of antibiotics is not usually indicated.

Your dentist may identify a reason (such as a secondary bacterial infection) why antibiotics should play a role in your case. But on a routine basis, antibiotics are not used to treat dry sockets.

If you think you have a dry socket, don't be hesitant to seek treatment from your dentist.

All dentists know that there is always the potential that any patient may develop a dry socket.

And although there are risk factors that can influence their rate of incidence, having any one patient to actually experience one, at least to some degree, is simply bad luck.

For this reason, once you've asked, you'll probably find that your dentist is quite sympathetic to your situation and very accommodating in providing treatment. They know that dry sockets, while certainly a disappointing complication, always can and will occur. They fully expect that some percentage of their patients will need to contact them and will require their assistance.