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.
ALCOHOL
Having a tooth extracted or implant placed is an experience no one really looks forward to, especially during the summertime when people are having barbecues, parties and celebrations, all of which typically have alcohol in the mix. A common question we get is how long one should wait to have an alcoholic beverage after having had oral surgery done. It is recommended to wait at least 48 hours before resuming alcohol consumption. After surgery, especially for the first 24 hours, it is advised that you take this opportunity to relax and recover. If you’ve just had an extraction done, especially wisdom teeth, resting will help you develop blood clots thoroughly, allowing the bleeding to stop and preventing dry sockets from occurring.
Additionally, you will more than likely be prescribed pain medications after your oral surgery treatment. This could be in the form of Norco, Percocet, Vicodin, Tylenol with Codeine or ibuprofen. Consuming beer, wine, or spirits while under the influence of pain medications can be very dangerous and can result in liver failure, impaired motor function, dizziness and overdose.
To avoid any problems during the recovery process, whether it be the surgery sites healing properly or your overall well-being, we strongly advise you to deter from drinking alcohol after oral surgery and once you have finished using your pain medications.
COFFEE
Another beverage people ask about post-surgery is coffee – the beloved caffeine beverage many of us consume regularly to get through the week. Luckily for coffee lovers, you are able to have coffee after your surgery, but we advise you to go w/ cold brew for the first 24 hours. We recommend waiting at least 48 hours before consuming it at a hot temperature, but it all depends on how you’re feeling.
Why? As mentioned above, right after any oral surgery involving extractions, the site that was treated will need to clot. Having anything aside from cool foods and beverages the first day will agitate the area and prevent it from healing properly.
ACIDIC DRINKS
Having beverages high in citric acid such as lemonade and orange juice after oral surgery is like squirting lemon juice on an open wound on your hand – NOT FUN. The extraction and implant sites can be irritated and could lead to infection. Definitely avoid consuming these types of drinks for about a week.
SO WHAT CAN I DRINK?
You’re probably thinking that you can’t have anything to drink besides water and that oral surgery has taken all the fun out of your summer. Don’t fret! There are plenty of delicious beverage alternatives you can have during your recovery period. Just to name a few:
- Apple juice
- Sprite / 7-Up
- Ginger Ale
- Smoothies (without fruits that contain a lot of seeds like strawberries and raspberries)
- Gatorade / Powerade
- Milk (for more flavor, add chocolate or strawberry syrup)
We recently started using Mio Liquid Water Enhancers in our office to add a little bit of flavor to our water (Crystal Light and Dasani also have a similar product) and we love it! You can find them at the grocery store in the beverage section (and no, we are not sponsored by them – we’re just a fan of the product).