29 Feb Does Honey Help Dry Socket? A Natural Dry Socket Remedy You Can Make at Home
Honey has been used as medicine since ancient times, and now we know why. Honey can help your body resist infections, reduce inflammation, and even relieve pain. It’s still a powerful remedy today, and combined with a few other natural ingredients, you can use honey to make a dry socket remedy to help ease the pain and promote swift healing.
How Does Honey Help Dry Socket?
Honey is very effective at healing wounds, and it has been used to prevent infections for thousands of years. And, studies show that it is also a highly effective treatment for dry socket. Applied topically to the extraction site, honey was able to sterilize the wound, prevent further infections, and promote the regeneration of healthy tissue.
Honey is A-mazing! It’s:
- Antiseptic
- Antimicrobial
- Anti-inflammatory
- Antioxidant
- Analgesic (relieves pain)
When it comes to treating dry socket, the main goal is to relieve the pain. But although anesthetic gels can bring relief, they don’t have any of the antiseptic or healing benefits of a dry socket remedy made with honey.
Honey contains small amounts of naturally occurring hydrogen peroxide, which is a powerful antibacterial agent. It also contains the amino acids, vitamins, and minerals that your body needs to repair wounds. Although it can be used to treat dry socket all on its own, honey is an even more powerful remedy when combined with other infection-fighting and pain-relieving ingredients.
Recipe for a Natural Dry Socket Remedy
Our recipe to make a dry socket paste focuses on four key ingredients: honey, turmeric, clove oil, and coconut oil.
- Honey fights infections, soothes pain, promotes healing, and reduces inflammation.
- Clove oil acts as an anesthetic to relieve pain. It also eliminates bad breath, which is one of the symptoms of dry socket.
- Turmeric shares many of the same benefits as honey—it’s analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and speeds up healing.
- Coconut oil fights bacteria and reduces inflammation. It also fights plaque and bad breath.
Please note: Home remedies for dry socket should only be used under a dentist’s supervision. If you are experiencing pain or any other symptoms of dry socket after a tooth extraction, let your dentist know right away! No matter how effective a home remedy may be, avoiding a trip to the dentist is not worth the risk.
Ingredients for Dry Socket Paste:
- 1/2 tablespoon coconut oil
- 15 drops clove oil
- 1/2 cup honey
- 1 1/2 tablespoons ground turmeric
Instructions for Use:
- Prepare a warm saltwater rinse to cleanse your mouth. Stir one teaspoon of salt into 1 cup of warm water until dissolved. Swish gently, but don’t spit—just open your mouth over the sink and let the water fall out.
- Next, apply a small amount of the dry socket paste directly onto the extraction site—a ball about the size of a pea should suffice. The dry socket paste will seal the wound and prevent contamination.
- Repeat these steps every 4-6 hours or as needed for the next 3-7 days.
Holistic Dentistry in Prescott, Arizona
At Prescott Dentistry, our focus is on prevention and whole-body wellness. From the materials we use to the treatments we offer, we want to provide the most natural, holistic dental care options available. Natural remedies can be powerful medicines, but remember, they should only be used under the supervision of a doctor or dentist.
If you have pain after a tooth extraction or any dry socket symptoms, you should call the office that performed the surgery. They will be best equipped to handle your individual situation in a timely manner because they are most familiar with your case. Dry socket left unassessed and untreated can have serious negative effects on healing and bone formation.
Prevention is always better than reaction! If you are in need of a dental appointment, call us at 928-445-1660 today.
Photo by Art Rachen on Unsplash used with permission under the Creative Commons license for commercial use 2/9/2024.