I need some advice please. I had a front tooth removed 4 weeks ago after it broke. Unfortunately I have developed a dry socket and an infection, both have been treated – had a medicated dressing put in the socket and took antiobiotics for 5 days. However, two weeks later the dressing came out and the socket was still “open” and throbbing. I went back to my dentist last Thursday to get it checked out and he stirred the wound up to make it bleed, put another dressing in and stitched the wound up. He also prescribed anonther course of antibiotics (the same as before). I have finished the antibiotics yesterday and the throbbing has gone, the rest of the stitches came out today together with some of the dressing but the wound has still not healed. Does anyone know how long it can take for the body to start the healing process after such complications? And is there anything else that can be done, other than having stitches again? I’m a 29 year old woman, non-smoker, non-drinker but I do take oral contraceptives which I’m aware have some kind of effect on it. I would really appreciate any advice. Thank you!

I went back to the surgeon and he packed it with gauze that was soaked in something that has clove oil in it. It was instant relief. However, the pain came back, and I had to go back in again. I got relief from the pain for another day until it came back again. It was last weekend, so I was plum out of luck to go to the dentist on a Saturday.

I did a lot of Googling for home remedies and came across clove oil. So, I went to Whole Foods, picked some up, and voila…relief. HOWEVER, be VERY advised that you *have* to dilute it. It will burn you (momentarily).

I just dropped a few drops into a cup and then put a lot of water in it, swirled it around, and sucked it up with a syringe. Next, I dropped a few drops into my holes and stuck gauze over them immediately (as to not let the oil spread to the rest of my mouth because of the hotness). Within five minutes, the pain will be gone — promise.

I have been doing this everyday for about a week and have had no pain after I use the clove oil. I have to do it after I eat and flush out my holes, or the dry socket pain comes back. So, if you are suffering right now, go to a health store, get some clove oil and relax — I swear it works (but be VERY careful)!