When can i have a beer after wisdom teeth removal

If a dentist recommends having a tooth pulled, it’s somewhat of a last resort for maintaining optimal oral health. After the surgery is completed, it takes time to fully recover. To encourage expedient healing, it’s necessary to follow the dentist’s instructions and maintain healthy practices at home. With that in mind, will drinking alcohol after tooth extraction be harmful? Continue reading to find out.

What All is Involved in a Tooth Extraction?

A tooth extraction involves removing a tooth from its socket. Typically, extractions are performed when there is either a severe injury, damage, decay or impaction. In some cases, it may be used to create room for another orthodontic treatment.

Extractions usually fall into the following two categories:

• Simple extractions – This typically involves removing a tooth that is visible in your mouth. It starts with the dentist numbing the tooth and surrounding area before loosening and removing it from the mouth.
• Surgical extractions – This is reserved for situations where the tooth is broken at the gum line or has become impacted. The dentist will make a small incision into the gum tissue to remove the tooth.

Both are surgical procedures, which means there is a chance of infection. Thus, it’s of the utmost importance to take the necessary steps to encourage healing after a tooth is pulled.

Can Alcohol Interrupt the Healing Process?

Whether you undergo a simple or more complex procedure, it can sometimes take a couple of weeks to fully recover from a tooth extraction. Unfortunately, drinking alcohol could prevent proper healing. In fact, it can interrupt the blood clot process, which plays an essential role in recovering from the extraction.

Alcohol consumption immediately after having a tooth pulled can lead to a condition called dry socket, which can be quite painful and cause the blood clot to dislodge.

How Long Should You Wait to Drink Alcohol?

To be on the safe side, it’s best to wait at least 10 days after your surgery to consume an alcoholic beverage. In the meantime, water is your best friend. Drinking plenty of it will help to maintain adequate saliva production, which helps to regulate the bacteria growth inside your mouth.

As another safety precaution, you should make sure that you’re done taking any pain medication before you start drinking. Therefore, you can avoid the risk of a serious health issue.

When you talk to your dentist before having your tooth pulled, you’ll be given special instructions, which will likely include eating a soft-food diet for up to a week after your surgery is completed. At that time, you can also ask any other questions you may have about alcohol consumption. While tooth extractions in Waco aren’t your idea of fun, they don’t have to leave you in excruciating pain. By sticking to the guidelines you’re given, you can recover much faster.

About the Author

Dr. Nick Cobb earned his dental degree from the University of Texas Dental Branch-Houston. Throughout his career, he has eagerly sought the most advanced training, maintaining the highest levels of accreditation. Dr. Cobb understands that having a tooth pulled can sometimes cause anxiety, which is why he takes a careful, kind and methodical approach to providing care. He performs tooth extractions at Heart of Texas Smiles, and he can be reached for more information or to schedule a visit through his website.

After getting one or more teeth pulled, you may be tempted to sit back, relax, and enjoy a drink or two. However, you may not want to go digging into your fridge or alcohol cabinet just yet. Although alcohol can be a nice treat to enjoy every once in a while, it can have adverse effects on your healing time. That said, here’s what you should know about drinking alcohol after tooth extraction and how abstinence can ensure a successful recovery.

What Is a Tooth Extraction?

Tooth extraction involves removing a tooth from its socket in the jawbone. It’s a necessary procedure for many reasons, including severe infection, extensive injury, or simply to make more room in your mouth for orthodontic treatment. Every tooth extraction falls under one of the following categories:

• Simple Extractions – This process involves removing a tooth that’s visible in your mouth. It’s the most common procedure performed by dentists. After numbing the tooth and surrounding gum tissue with a local anesthetic, they’ll loosen and remove it from your mouth.
• Surgical Extractions – These are performed when a tooth has broken at the gum line or failed to erupt, like an impacted wisdom tooth. Even though a general dentist can perform this type of extraction, it’s mainly done by an oral surgeon. During a surgical extraction, they’ll make a small incision in the gums to remove the tooth.

Can You Drink Alcohol After a Tooth Extraction?

Short answer: no, you can’t drink alcohol after tooth extraction. After your tooth is removed, a blood clot must form in the area until granulation tissue forms, which could take about a week or more. If the blood doesn’t clot, you could get a dry socket, which can be very painful. This condition will hinder your recovery process and require you to visit your dentist more often for treatment. Generally, you’ll need to wait about seven to ten days before drinking alcohol. While you recover, you must drink plenty of water and stay hydrated to promote faster healing. It’s worth noting that some pain medications can be dangerous if taken with alcohol. Therefore, it’s best to wait until you no longer require painkillers before resuming alcohol use.

Tips for a Smooth-Sailing Recovery

Here are some steps you can take to ensure your recovery goes smoothly:

• Take it easy for at least 24 hours following your tooth extraction
• Leave the gauze in your mouth for a few hours to allow a blood clot to form
• Apply a cold compress near the surgical area to reduce swelling
• Do not rinse your mouth vigorously, use a straw, or spit for at least 24 hours to avoid dislodging the blood clot
• Avoid smoking or using tobacco products for at least three days following your extraction

Ultimately, it’s best to avoid drinking alcohol after a tooth extraction, no matter how tempting it might be. By following the recovery tips outlined above, you can enjoy a fully healed and healthy mouth in no time!

About the Practice

At South Florida Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, we deliver exceptional, state-of-the-art, individually tailored that’s guaranteed to exceed even your highest of expectations. Our team is led by four board-certified and experienced oral surgeons, meaning you can expect to receive the high-quality, stunning results you deserve. If you have any questions about drinking alcohol after a tooth extraction, visit our website or call our office to speak to a member of our team.

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