Do you have an upcoming oral surgery and you’re wondering when can I drink after tooth extraction? You’re not alone! Most people have questions about what to expect after tooth extraction. That’s why we’ve put together this comprehensive guide on post-tooth extraction care.
By following our simple tips, you’ll be able to minimize discomfort and speed up the healing process. We want you to feel your best as soon as possible, so you can get back to your everyday life.
When can I drink after tooth extraction?
Follow your dentist’s recommendations after tooth extraction to avoid complications such as a dry socket. On the first day, gauze is placed over the extraction site and should remain for a few hours, replacing as needed. Don’t drink anything for at least an hour, then opt for water; the colder, the better.
Refrain from drinking alcoholic drinks, hot coffee or tea, and carbonated beverages. Also, steer clear of acidic drinks, including orange, lemon, and tomato. You may have a milkshake or smoothie, but take small sips and don’t use a straw.
When can I drink after tooth extraction? Dental professionals suggest that you wait at least 7-10 days after having a tooth pulled before drinking alcoholic beverages. Alcohol can dislodge the clot that forms over the site of the extraction causing pain, infection, and a hindrance to healing.
While recovering from dental surgery or tooth extraction, use ice packs to reduce swelling. Sipping ice water will also speed healing and reduce pain. In addition, don’t drink hot coffee or caffeinated drinks for a few days, and abstain from alcohol consumption for at least a week. Instead, eat soft food like yogurt and cream soups and get plenty of rest. Consumption of alcohol will also interfere with any pain medication you might be prescribed.
Can I Drink Alcohol After a Tooth Extraction?
Drinking alcohol after tooth removal can interfere with developing a blood clot at the extraction site. This clot protects the nerve endings and the bone underneath. Therefore, it is crucial that it not be dislodged to allow the healing process to complete.
Otherwise, a painful condition known as dry socket may occur. A dry socket can be caused by smoking, using a straw, taking birth control pills, and consuming alcohol too soon after the procedure. Most oral surgeons advise that you wait at least 7-10 days after removing an adult tooth before resuming the use of alcohol, including mouthwash, which usually contains alcohol.
When the clot becomes dislodged, the hole becomes vulnerable to infection, which can adversely affect your health and can cause intense pain in the nerves of your face and jaw. The most common complication, dry socket, is also the most easily avoided. In the first five days following extraction:
Do’s |
Dont’s |
Gargle gently with warm salt water to rinse your mouth as needed |
Don’t smoke, vape, or use tobacco following treatment. |
Apply an ice pack to the affected area |
Don’t use a straw. |
Do sip on ice water. |
Don’t drink carbonated beverages or very hot drinks. |
Rest and take medication as prescribed. |
Don’t swish vigorously or spit. |
Eat soft foods like yogurt or nourishing liquid foods such as cream soups |
Don’t eat crumbly foods like rice and hamburger or foods containing citric acid or small seeds, such as chia seeds |
How Long After Tooth Extraction Can I Drink Alcohol?
When dentists remove an adult tooth during a tooth extraction procedure, whether it is due to damage to the tooth or overcrowding, as is the case with wisdom teeth removal surgery, there will be a hole in the jawbone that takes several months to completely heal.
This surgical site is considered an open wound until the blood clot forms protecting the hole until it fills in naturally. Granulation tissue will then form at the tooth socket site.
This granulation contains collagen, white blood cells, and blood vessels that help fight infection. It can take up to a week for granulation tissue to form, which is why some professionals urge abstinence for a minimum of 72 hours up to ten days. The longer you can wait after dental procedures, the better off you’ll be.
Instead of alcoholic beverages, which can cause excessive bleeding, drink plenty of ice water. Icy water can help reduce swelling and is a natural pain reliever. Keeping hydrated during your recovery period is crucial, and nothing is better for you than water.
In addition, if your dentist prescribes pain medication, you will want to drink plenty of water to avoid the side effects of strong pain medications, such as constipation and dry mouth.
Is Drinking Liquor Different Than Drinking Beer After a Tooth Extraction?
The alcohol content of your favorite cocktail, liquor, or beer is not that important when it comes to drinking after tooth extraction. You should avoid all forms of alcohol, including mouthwash, while recuperating.
It not only slows down healing with the possibility of dislodging the clot, but it can also actually prevent the formation of the clot in the first place.
Alcohol thins your blood, causes dehydration, and interferes with proper healing. If the clot dislodges, the extraction area is vulnerable to bacterial infection, which can lead to liver disease, liver failure, or impaired motor function, among other things.
You should never mix alcohol with pain relievers, whether prescribed or over-the-counter. Beer may have less alcohol by volume than wine or other forms of liquor, but it is just as detrimental, possibly more due to the carbonation.
Most dentists agree that you shouldn’t have an alcoholic drink within the first five days, but the list of beverages to avoid also includes any carbonated drinks, acidic juices, and caffeinated beverages.
When Can I Drink Carbonated Drinks After Tooth Extraction?
Whether you have had wisdom teeth pulled or extraction of a damaged tooth, the recovery process is the same. You should refrain from your favorite soda or bubbly drink for at least two or three days.
One exception is in the case of nausea or vomiting right after the procedure.
- Try to wait at least an hour before you drink anything if that happens.
- Don’t take pain medicines until your stomach settles.
- After an hour, you can carefully sip on a small amount of coke, tea, or ginger ale.
- Resume taking your prescription once nausea has passed.
What can you drink? Clear liquids free of pulp such as apple juice, sports drinks, broth, milk, and of course, plenty of water. You can have a milkshake, a smoothie, or a protein shake. Greek yogurt, pudding, jello, or applesauce are good choices for a snack. Ice cream or popsicles can alleviate the pain and swelling and just make you feel better. While you shouldn’t drink hot liquids, you can enjoy iced coffee or ice tea.
Generally, clear liquids are liquids that you can see through and are pulp-free. Typical options include broth, apple or cranberry juice, Jell-O, Gatorade, and tea. Among the best soft food options are yogurt, ice cream, mashed potatoes, pancakes, and ice cream. Keep hydrated after surgery.
How to Recover Quickly from a Tooth Extraction
Rest as often as you can with your head elevated slightly. Do not exercise or do any heavy lifting. Following this recommendation can be especially difficult if you are a busy parent, but try to enlist the help of your spouse or older children to keep things running while you recover.
It’s advisable to get caught up on household chores before the procedure, including grocery shopping to stock your fridge with soft, healthy food and healthful drinks. You will thank yourself later.
Take your medication as prescribed for as long as directed by your dentist, and avoid alcohol. Don’t drive or operate machinery while taking medication. Leave the meal preparation and cooking to someone else for the first few days, if at all possible.
The risk of dry socket goes down after about five days, but until then, don’t smoke or use a straw or spit. The sucking action can dislodge a clot. As long as your mouth is still healing, you can gradually add a few less strenuous activities after day six, but don’t overdo it.
Foods to avoid include popcorn, crunchy foods, or very salty snacks. Don’t chew gum or eat sticky, gooey foods. Also, don’t eat crumbly dishes like rice or hamburgers, which can get stuck in the healing socket and be challenging to remove.
Conclusion
I don’t know anyone personally who enjoys going to the dentist or having teeth pulled, but good oral hygiene is critical to your overall health. If you do have to have a tooth extracted, you will fare better if you prepare yourself for what to expect. When you live alone or if you have children or pets, it can be incredibly challenging. Ask for help if you need it. A neighbor or friend can be a lifesaver.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed, take heart in the fact that the recuperation will only last a week or two. So now is the time to be nice to yourself, eat a soft diet of nourishing foods, and get plenty of sleep.
Watch your favorite movies, read the novel you’ve been putting aside, paint your toenails. Write a letter, call your sister, whatever brings you comfort. You will soon be back on your feet, enjoying your favorite beverages and taking care of business.
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