After having a tooth extracted, you may have developed dry socket after the clot fell out. If you experience excruciating pain every time you take a bite or breathe in, you may wonder if there is anything you can do at home for relief. Below is a three-step home remedy that will moisten the socket and give you relief using ingredients found in pharmacies and grocery stores.

Step 1:  Pack The Socket With A Homemade Poultice

The first step involves packing the socket with a homemade poultice. The salt water provides moisture to the socket while killing any bacteria that could lead to infection. The clove oil provides pain relief by soaking into and numbing the nerve endings that feed the gums.

Along with salt, water, and clove oil, you will also need a small dish and a two-by-two piece of sterile gauze. A cotton swab will also be needed to gently pack the socket.

In the small dish, combine an eighth of a cup of warm water with a half of a tablespoon of table salt. Allow the salt the dissolve for ten minutes. 

Add three drops of clove oil and thoroughly mix it with a clean cotton swab. Do not add more than three drops because clove oil at high concentrations could irritate your gums if you are sensitive to it.

Place the gauze into the poultice and let it soak until it is saturated. Then, wad it up into a small ball. Place it over the socket and use another clean cotton swab to gently push it in. Do not pack it too hard because this could further irritate your sore tissues.

Keep the poultice in place for 15 minutes. Remove it, then go on to the next step.

Step 2:  Rinse Your Mouth With Salt Water

After removing the poultice in step one, rinse your mouth with warm salt water. Not only will this kill germs in the socket, but also the ones in your mouth that could invade the open area and lead to infection.

In a small glass, mix together a quarter of a cup of warm water and a tablespoon of salt. Let the salt dissolve for five minutes. Then, rinse your mouth with half of the solution for two minutes.

Spit out the salt water and repeat rinsing your mouth for two minutes with the remaining solution. After spitting out the second rinse, go on to the third step.

Step 3:  Apply An Herbal Oil Tincture

Once you have thoroughly rinsed your mouth, you will be applying a pain-relieving herbal oil tincture to the gums surrounding the socket. The tincture uses clove oil like in step one. It also includes peppermint oil that has the same effect on your gum tissue. Once it soaks into the gums, it provides pain relief almost immediately.

In the palm of your hand, use a cotton swab to mix together one drop of clove oil and three drops of peppermint oil. Once again, do not add more clove oil, especially if you are sensitive to it. The peppermint oil will dilute it, preventing it from causing irritation to your gum tissue.

Using a clean cotton swab, carefully apply the oil around the inside edges of the socket and on the gum tissue outside of it. Let the tincture soak in for at least 15 minutes before eating or drinking to give it time to work.

Using the above home remedy three times a day should provide you relief along with your prescribed treatment. However, if you notice a marked increase in pain or suspect you may have an infection, you may want to contact your dentist, like from Dentistry For the Entire Family, to discuss further options for treatment.