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Tea Bags, Clove Oil
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1.) Instead of gauze, use a warm, wet teabag to apply pressure. The tannic acid in the tea will help stop the bleeding and cause the tissue to start healing faster. Any tea will do, though I used black tea.
2.) A drop of clove oil on the wound will help with pain. It stings at first and then numbs it. Clove oil is also good for helping the wound heal and has antiseptic properties, even if it has a nasty taste.
3.) After 24 hours, gently swish with salt water--about 1 teaspoon of salt to 1 cup of water. Swish after every meal. The salt will kill any bacteria and the gentle swishing will dislodge any particles of food from the open wound.
4.) Keep to soft food for the first 24-48 hours and easily chewed foods--nothing crunchy or chewy or drunk through a straw--after that.
5.) A vitamin C supplement is a good idea during the recovery phase.