Many people need extractions because they tried to open bottles with their teeth. However, many others have complicated the healing process afterward by enjoying the contents of other bottles too soon. Responsible alcohol consumption can be a pleasant way to celebrate an occasion such as getting rid of a painful tooth, but it’s important to wait until your gums have healed adequately before enjoying a hard beverage. Here’s a brief guide to how alcohol can hinder your healing after a tooth extraction.
How Are Tooth Extractions Performed?
A tooth extraction will always begin with your dentist administering an appropriate anesthetic to ensure your comfort. Once your mouth is numb, they will use a special device called an elevator to lift the troubled tooth from its socket and then work it loose from its connective tissue with forceps. Depending on the complexity of the procedure, you may receive stitches, but your dentist will always place gauze over the wound to control bleeding for the first few hours.
Can I Drink After Having a Tooth Removed?
While you might be eager to celebrate after a tooth extraction, it’s important to abstain from alcohol for a week or more after the procedure. Forming a blood clot over the surgical site is absolutely critical after a tooth extraction, and breaking or failing to develop this protective tissue will lead to a severely painful condition called dry socket that can delay your healing process. Alcohol is acidic and works as a blood thinner, so it can inhibit your body’s ability to form a blood clot or compromise one that has already formed.
How Long Should I Wait to Have a Drink After Tooth Extraction?
Your dentist will be happy to provide you with detailed aftercare instructions after your tooth extraction, and these should include clear information regarding how long you should wait before enjoying an alcoholic libation. In most cases, you will be instructed to wait about seven to ten days so your wound can heal adequately before having your first hard drink. However, the best beverage during your extraction recovery will always be water, as this will keep your body hydrated and help flush harmful debris away from the surgical site.
You don’t want to have to associate your favorite alcoholic beverage with the miserable pain that comes with dry socket. Adhering to your dentist’s aftercare instructions will keep your recovery process as smooth and complication-free as possible.
About the Practice
Distinctive Dentistry offers the finest oral healthcare available in Dallas. Led by Drs. Bobby Shirley, Clay Cannon, and Jack Bickford, the staff ensures that each patient enjoys effective and courteous treatment in a calm and welcoming environment. Areas of expertise include general, restorative, and cosmetic dentistry as well as extraction services. For more information on caring for your mouth after a tooth extraction, contact the practice online or dial (770) 445-6606.
