What can u drink after wisdom teeth removal

July 7, 2021

For many people, a warm cup of coffee is the perfect way to start each day. Some people can’t even mumble “hello” to their coworkers before having that first cup of joe in the morning! No matter where you fall on the coffee spectrum, you may need to adjust your routine if you get a tooth pulled. Keep reading to learn why you should avoid coffee following a tooth extraction in Cambridge and what you can drink instead.

How Coffee Can Disrupt Healing

After an oral surgeon removes your tooth, a blood clot will form over the hole in your gums. This blood clot will help protect the opening from bacteria and support the healing process.

Drinking hot coffee after oral surgery can prevent a blood clot from forming or dislodge a newly formed blood clot. This may lead to a condition called dry socket, which can cause considerable pain and an unpleasant taste in your mouth. To reduce your risk of developing dry socket, stay away from coffee for a few days after getting your tooth removed.

Alternative Beverages after an Extraction

Staying hydrated after even minor oral surgery can help ensure proper healing and avoid dry socket. While you should not consume coffee, there are plenty of other beverages that you can enjoy after an extraction, such as:

• Water – Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated and flush food particles away from the extraction site.
• Sports Drinks – Non-carbonated sports drinks hydrate effectively but they also usually contain high levels of sugar. If you consume sports drinks, be sure to brush your teeth afterward.
• Milk – Milk is both nutritious and a good source of calcium, which help strengthen teeth.
• Smoothies – Smoothies can help you get the vitamins and nutrients your body needs, especially if you are eating less after oral surgery. Just be sure to steer clear of fruits with small seeds, like blackberries and strawberries. Seeds can get stuck in the hole in your gums and cause complications.

Regardless of what you choose to drink after getting your tooth removed, avoid using a straw. The suction from drinking with a straw could dislodge the blood clot protecting your gums. Sip out of a cup or bottle instead.  

Ok, But When Can I Drink Coffee Again?

The good news is that you don’t have to survive for too long without your precious jolt of caffeine in the morning. While every patient heals at a slightly different pace, most people can begin drinking small amounts of coffee around 5 days after an extraction. If all goes well, within two weeks any swelling should subside and your mouth should be mostly healed. At that point, you can return to drinking your normal amount of coffee.

If anything feels off or you experience discomfort as you resume your normal coffee habits, do not hesitate to contact your oral surgeon in Cambridge.  

About the Author

After graduating with his dentistry degree, Dr. Jeff Lee completed a four-year residency in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center. He performs surgical treatments on a daily basis and has the expertise to manage even the most complex extractions with ease. For more information on tooth extractions in Cambridge, visit the Muskingum Valley Oral Surgery website or call 740-432-8768.

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Nobody would blame you if getting your tooth pulled makes you want to have a drink. But don't go reaching in the fridge or the alcohol cabinet just yet. Alcohol can have adverse effects on your healing time that simply aren't worth it, no matter how tasty the beverage. We'll let you know why, and for how long, you'll want to abstain to ensure you have a successful recovery you can smile about.

Tooth extractions involve removing a tooth from its socket in the bone. You might need a tooth extraction for various reasons, including infection, injury, or to make room in your mouth for orthodontic treatment. Wisdom teeth removal is a specific type of tooth extraction that involves your third molars. All tooth extractions fall into two categories:

• Simple extractions usually involveremoving a tooth that's visible in your mouth. General dentists commonly perform these procedures by numbing the tooth and surrounding gum tissue before loosening and removing it from the mouth.
• Surgical extractions occur when a tooth has broken at the gumline or failed to erupt, such as an impacted wisdom tooth. Oral surgeons typically perform these procedures; however, general dentists can as well. During the surgical extraction, the dental professional makes a small incision into your gum to remove the tooth.

Can You Have Alcohol After a Tooth Extraction?

We hate to be the bearers of bad news, but the answer is no. After you get your tooth removed, a blood clot must form in the extraction area until granulation tissue forms, which can take a week or more. If the blood isn't able to clot, you could get something called a dry socket. This painful condition slows your recovery process. It could require more follow-up visits with your dental professional and can leave you in extreme discomfort with pain radiating from your mouth and throughout your face.

Learn more about dry socket prevention.

So How Long Should You Wait to Have a Drink?

It's best to avoid alcohol after getting a tooth pulled for as long as your dentist or oral surgeon recommends. The safest bet would be to wait about 7-10 days while the wound heals. Choose to drink water instead; staying hydrated is important during the healing process.

You should also consider any medications you are taking for pain before consuming alcohol. Mixing pain relief medications — both prescribed and over-the-counter — with alcohol is dangerous and can cause adverse effects. It's best to wait until you no longer require any pain relief medications before resuming alcohol use.

Post-Operative Tips

There are other steps you can take to make sure your recovery goes smoothly:

• Rest for at least 24 hours after the extraction.
• Leave the gauze your dentist placed in your mouth for a few hours to allow the blood clot to form. Then you can change it as often as needed.
• Place an ice bag near the surgical area to reduce swelling.
• Avoid rinsing your mouth vigorously so you don't dislodge your clot.
• Don't use straws for 24 hours and avoid spitting.
• Don't smoke or use any tobacco products for at least three days following the procedure.
• Eat nutritious, soft foods to promote healing.

If you have any concerning symptoms after your procedure, such as vomiting, severe pain, or heavy bleeding, call your dentist as soon as possible.

Learn more about tooth extraction healing time.

It's best to avoid drinking alcohol after a tooth extraction, as tempting as it may be. Take care of yourself, and you'll heal up before you know it. By following these steps, as well as the aftercare instructions provided by your dentist, you'll be on your way to a fully healed and healthy mouth you can smile about. We'll "cheers" to that.

What drinks can I drink after wisdom teeth removal?

When can you drink after wisdom teeth removal?

What drinks can I drink after tooth extraction?