R Ikram, S A Khan, M S Cheema.
Role of Honey as Dressing Material in Oral Cavity.
Ann King Edward Med Uni Jan ;6-4:404-5.

The treatment of dry socket was evaluated in 62 patients. Honey dressing proved to be analgesic and curative. Honey soaked 1/4 inch sterile gauze was applied as a dressing material. The debilitating patients were excluded from the study and maximum care was taken to include the patients whose local and systemic conditions would not adversely effect the wound healing. <p> Health granulation tissue formation started from 3rd day in 69% cases and in 31% cases granulation tissue appeared on 4th day. Delay in granulation tissue formation occurred in those patients who missed their regular dressing. Offensive odour of the socket was vanished after third dressing. <p> Aluminium, sulphate and sucrose present in honey also accelerate healing process. The healthy granulation tissue appear in majority of the patients about 3rd day of treatment. The hygroscopic property of honey dehydrates bacteria, rendering them inactive. The bacteria can not live in the presence of honey for the reason that honey is an excellent source of potassium. The potassium withdraws moisture from the bacteria which is essential to their existence. The healing of the socket is associated with disappearance of dry bone and formation of health granulation tissue in the bony cavity. Chemical debridement action of honey, removal of offensive smell being antiseptic, antibiotic, and energy source provision of honey makes it a suitable dressing material for almost every type of wounds. <p> It has been known for more than 100 years that honey can accelerate wound healing. There has been isolated reports on the use of honey in burns healing, ulcers, infected wounds except in the oral cavity. This study concluded that pain was reduced and healing was accelerated in patients treated with honey suffering from dry socket. It is noteworthy that there are no complications with honey dressing. Honey is easily, universally available and is far less expensive. It is suggested to be dressing of choice for dry socket.

PakMediNet -Pakistan's largest Database of Pakistani Medical Journals - http://www.pakmedinet.com