Comparative Analysis of Post-Dental Surgery Outcomes: Focus on Dry Socket and Mouthwash Practices

Objective: Dry socket, alveolar osteitis, or alveolitis also called fibrinolytic alveolitis is a common complication subsequent to tooth extractions, leading towards significant post-operative pain. While its particular cause remains indistinct, factors such as bacterial contamination and infection, smoking, traumatic extractions, and fibrinolytic activity contribute to its incidence. In this study it is intended to assess the effectiveness of 0.12% chlorhexidine mouthwash in pre-op extraction is effective in reducing the incidence of dry socket and post extraction pain.Materials and Methods: A total of 200 patients which required tooth extraction were included in study, with 102 assigned to the test group (mouthwash users) and 98 to the control group (non-mouthwash users). The test group rinsed with 10 mL of 0.12% chlorhexidine mouthwash 2x, twice daily for four weeks before the procedure of extraction. Pain was measured/ evaluated using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) at 72 hours post extraction. Chi-square tests were used for statistical analysis (?=0.05).Results: Dry socket frequency was significantly reduced/ lower in the mouthwash group by (13.7%) compared to the control group (71.4%) (p=0.001). Pain levels were also reduced, with approximately 53.9% of mouthwash users pre-op extraction were reporting no pain (VAS=0) versus 13.3% in the control group. Smoking and spitting were significantly associated with dry sockets (p=0.001), but there was no correlation found with respect to gender, age, extraction site, or extraction type.Conclusion: Chlorhexidine mouthwash usage suggestively and significantly reduces alveolar osteitis/dry socket and therefore post-extraction pain. Smoking remains a chief risk factor, accentuating the importance of patient education on discarding smoking and usage of antiseptic mouthwash for improved healing.