When can you start drinking after wisdom teeth removal

Q: How soon after wisdom teeth can I drink alcohol?

Alcohol can hinder your bodys natural healing process while also increasing the risk of infection. Your dentist will suggest avoiding alcohol for at least 7 to 10 days after your extraction to allow your tissue to heal. Instead, they will recommend drinking plenty of water.

Q: How long do I wait to drink after tooth extraction?

Thats usually at least 72 hours. Just to be on the safe side, though, you may want to wait seven to 10 days for the blood clot to fully form and the extraction site to finish healing. During that time, drink water instead. Its important to stay hydrated throughout the healing process.

Posted: January 6th, 2021 Category:

Table of Contents Show

Can I Drink Alcohol After a Tooth Extraction?
How Soon After a Tooth Extraction Can I Drink Alcohol?
Other Tips for a Smooth Recovery
About the Author
Can You Have Alcohol After a Tooth Extraction?
So How Long Should You Wait to Have a Drink?
Post-Operative Tips
How soon after wisdom teeth can I drink alcohol?
Does alcohol cause dry socket?
How long do I wait to drink after tooth extraction?

Getting a tooth pulled isn’t most people’s idea of a fun time. Very few people would blame you for wanting to relax with a beer after the procedure. However, if you want to have a smooth and speedy recovery, you shouldn’t go reaching for the alcohol cabinet just yet. Why is that? Keep reading as an emergency dentist in Colorado Springs explains whether it’s safe to drink alcohol after a tooth extraction.

Can I Drink Alcohol After a Tooth Extraction?

Unfortunately, most dentists will recommend abstaining from alcohol after you have a tooth pulled. Once a tooth is removed, a blood clot must form over the extraction site in order for your mouth to heal properly. This process can take about a week. If the blood is unable to clot, or if the clot is dislodged prematurely, you could get a painful condition called dry socket.

Not only does dry socket hurt, but it also leaves the nerves and bones near the extraction site vulnerable to bacterial infection, ultimately slowing down your healing process. You may end up having to schedule more follow-up appointments with your dentist in addition to feeling pain radiate through your mouth and even the rest of your face.

How Soon After a Tooth Extraction Can I Drink Alcohol?

Generally, it’s best to avoid alcohol after an extraction for as long as your dentist suggests. That’s usually at least 72 hours. Just to be on the safe side, though, you may want to wait seven to 10 days for the blood clot to fully form and the extraction site to finish healing.

During that time, drink water instead. It’s important to stay hydrated throughout the healing process. However, remember to NOT drink through a straw, as that could dislodge the blood clot and cause dry socket.

Other Tips for a Smooth Recovery

In addition to refraining from drinking alcohol, here are some more post-op tips for a quick and easy recover after a tooth extraction:

Avoid strenuous physical activity for at least the first 72 hours.
When lying down, raise your head slightly.
Leave the gauze that your dentist put over the extraction site in place for a few hours to encourage a blood clot to form. Afterward, change it as often as needed.
Take all medications, including painkillers and antibiotics, as directed.
Do not rinse or spit too vigorously.
Hold an ice pack to your cheek in 10-minute intervals to reduce swelling and discomfort.
Avoid using straws for the first 48 hours.
Do not use tobacco products for at least three days.

As tempting as it may be to unwind with a bottle of beer or a glass of wine after your tooth extraction, it’s best to avoid it. By following the steps listed above, and the aftercare guidelines provided by your dentist, your mouth will be fully healed before you know it. Then, you can celebrate with a toast to your healthy smile!

About the Author

Dr. Kenneth Gasper II obtained his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from the Louisiana State University School of Dentistry. In his 30+ years of experience as a general and emergency dentist in Colorado Springs, he has trained extensively in many areas of dentistry, including tooth extractions. He’ll make sure your procedure and recovery go swimmingly. To learn more about making a smooth recovery after a tooth extraction, you can contact his office at (719) 626-4145 or visit his website.

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.

How soon after wisdom teeth can I drink alcohol?

Alcohol can hinder your body's natural healing process while also increasing the risk of infection. Your dentist will suggest avoiding alcohol for at least 7 to 10 days after your extraction to allow your tissue to heal. Instead, they will recommend drinking plenty of water.

Does alcohol cause dry socket?

Drinking alcohol can increase the chances of developing a dry socket. When a tooth is extracted, a blood clot is formed in the area from where the tooth is removed. The blood clot covers the nerves and stops bacteria from forming. Alcohol can stop blood clot formation or can dislodge it, which can cause a dry socket.

How long do I wait to drink after tooth extraction?

That's usually at least 72 hours. Just to be on the safe side, though, you may want to wait seven to 10 days for the blood clot to fully form and the extraction site to finish healing. During that time, drink water instead. It's important to stay hydrated throughout the healing process.