Smoking After Tooth Extractions

Patients who smoke or use smokeless tobacco are advised to refrain for at least 72 hours after tooth extraction surgery. The longer you are able to omit tobacco products from your daily habits, The better your recovery will be. allowing your body to heal before returning to normal daily activities and eating habits will help your body heal more quickly and more easily. Tobacco products only prolong healing time and can lead to some complications.

Why do I have to stop smoking or using tobacco products?

The chemicals found in cigarettes can cause inflammation and significantly delay healing. Smokeless tobacco products contain the same toxins found in cigarettes and also have particles that can become lodged in your extraction site and cause irritation and infection.

After you have a tooth extracted, the socket forms a blood clot in place of the extracted tooth that acts as a barrier against food and other foreign objects, keeping the nerve and bone from becoming exposed. Smoking before your extraction site is fully healed can cause this blood clot to become dislodged and lead to a very painful condition called dry socket. This is the same condition that can occur if a patient uses a drinking straw after extraction surgery.

Dry socket is incredibly painful and unfortunately, the only treatment available is having medicated bandages placed by your oral surgeon. If you are experiencing pain that radiates to your face and up into your ears, you likely have dry socket and it is important to get to your doctor’s office as soon as possible. They will irrigate the area to make sure that nothing is trapped before applying the medicated bandages.

How much pain will I be in after a tooth extraction?

Everyone tolerates pain differently so your individual experience will be dependent upon your level of pain tolerance. Discomfort and swelling is to be expected after tooth extractions but within 7 to 10 days, swelling should be gone. Most patients are able to manage their pain with over-the-counter pain medications. It is important to make sure that you do not take anything containing aspirin as that could promote bleeding.

Oral Hygiene After Tooth Extraction

Included in the post-op instructions that your doctor gives you will be some modifications for you to make to your home oral hygiene routine.

Just as suction, when smoking or using a drinking straw, can dislodge your protective blood clot, so can the force that comes with spitting. When you brush your teeth or rinse with your warm saltwater solution, let the water spill out of your mouth instead of spitting. A pink tinge is completely normal for a couple of days.

Brush and floss as normal just be sure to avoid your extraction sites until your doctor says they are fully healed.

More information on Tooth Extractions : Emergency Tooth Extractions