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Dry socket pain is no fun. So if this is something you’re going through or will be soon, then read here on how compounded medication can help.
Getting a tooth removed as an adult is very hard. It is a long, painful process, and the wound can become prone to other potential problems such as infection and dry socket. Dry socket is undoubtedly the most commonly occurring side effect after adult tooth extraction. It is estimated that nearly 2 to 5 percent of people experience this after an extraction.
What is a Dry Socket?
For those of you who don’t know what a dry socket is, let me explain it to you in a simple way. This condition occurs when the blood clot protecting your nerves and bone is dissolved. When this happens, your nerves are exposed to food, air, liquids that can lead to severe pain and infections. Ouch! It sounds very unpleasant! Well, luckily, it is treatable.
Symptoms That You Have a Dry Socket
The first thing you need to do is determine whether you have a dry socket or not. Look out for the following symptoms:
- Throbbing pain a few days after tooth extraction
- Radiating pain to other parts of your face/body on the side of tooth extraction
- Visible loss of blood clot in the socket
- Bad taste in the mouth
- Bad breath despite taking care of oral hygiene
Can Dry Socket be Prevented?
As they say, prevention is always better than cure. The first step should always be trying to prevent a particular condition. Make sure you are following the guidelines of your dentist for optimal results. The instructions include proper home care, avoiding certain foods, flushing your mouth with saltwater, etc.
Some people are more at risk of developing dry sockets than others. Those who smoke, have previous experience with dry sockets, take oral birth control medications, have an infected tooth, or gum should take extra care.
The dry pocket can turn into a severe bone infection if left untreated. The condition is called Osteomyelitis and involves surgical extraction of infected bone and IV antibiotics treatment for up to six weeks.
Tips to Prevent Dry Socket
A few tips that can help prevent the infections are:
- Eat soft foods for a few weeks or a month post-extraction.
- Avoid drinking excessively cold or hot water. Drink warm water instead.
- Do not drink liquids from a straw as it can dislodge the blood clot.
- Rinse your mouth with a warm saltwater mixture multiple times a day. Avoid doing it on the first day after the extraction.
- You can also try placing cold packs on the outside of your mouth to minimize swelling.
- Rest as much as you possibly can, as it will help you heal faster.
How to Treat Dry Socket Pain?
If you follow the tips mentioned above, you won’t experience a dry socket in the first place. If you do encounter it, you can get it treated.
Treatment by a Dentist/Orthopedic Care Specialist
The treatment involves the following steps:
- Your dentist will first clean the site to get rid of food and bacteria.
- Then, a medical gauze will be applied to the extraction site along with packing to relieve pain. After a couple of days, it will be removed/get dissolved.
- You will also be given pain killers to counter the pain, along with some topical products to apply to the site.
- You will be given a list of guidelines to follow for the next several days; saltwater rinses, consuming soft foods, avoiding food/drinks of extreme temperatures, and maintaining oral hygiene.
How to Relieve Dry Socket Pain?
To minimize the dry socket pain, your surgeon will advise you to take over-the-counter pain killers and anti-inflammatory drugs. In case of extreme pain, prescription-based pain killers might be used along with certain topical treatments.
One of the most popularly done treatments of dry sockets involves a medical gauze and a dry socket paste. The paste acts as a blood clot replacement and prevents the exposure of nerves to air, food, and fluids. It is extremely beneficial to relieve pain and is certainly the most commonly used treatment. The paste also contains chemicals that promote healing and minimize pain.
There are certain patients who do not get relief from this method. That is where dental compounds come in. Dental Compounds, aka prescription compounding, refer to the manufacturing of custom medication that fits the needs of an individual perfectly. A custom dry socket paste for a patient definitely offers increased pain relief in patients who have higher tolerance to anesthesia or low pain tolerance.
It is clearly one of the best solutions if the conventional medication and treatments fail to work.
Importance of Using Compounded Medication for Dry Socket Pain
Compounding medication or a dental compound is a custom-made approach that is tailored to each individual. Not everyone is fit for the standard medication. Some patients need an increased dose to find pain relief. In some patients, the dry socket symptoms are too severe to be treated with conventionally used dry socket paste.
That is where custom-made dental compounded medication comes in. Each individual is different, dealing with different health conditions and varying needs. For instance, some people are more prone to developing an infection than others or have a very low pain tolerance. Dental compounds are curated based on the needs of each individual and are more effective than commonly used medication.
At Burts Rx, we deal with all kinds of compounding medication for a variety of health and dental needs. We make prescriptions for your unique needs that are not available at normal pharmacies. The compounded medication offers:
- Different formulations; liquids, gels, etc.
- Addictive – Free medications
- Customized dosages to cater to your needs
- Different flavors
- Cheaper formulas
Final Takeaway
For dry socket pain, our team of pharmacists creates a dental compound paste that helps relieve the pain. If you are not getting relief from the normal medication, you can contact us to get a custom prescription for yourself. Our team will work in collaboration with you and your dentists to create a perfect treatment for you.