Plenty of people are in the habit of enjoying a drink at the end of the day. But what if you just had a tooth removed due to a dental emergency? There are several steps you’ll need to take in order to protect your mouth after this procedure – and unfortunately, one of those steps is avoiding alcohol. Here’s why you should stay away from beer or wine after tooth extraction.
Why is Having Alcohol After a Tooth Extraction a Bad Idea?
Once your tooth has been removed, your body will begin the process of helping the gums and jaw heal. One of the most important steps of this process is the formation of a blood clot over the extraction site. The clot needs to stay in place for about a week; if it is dislodged before then, you’ll likely experience a painful dry socket, and healing will be delayed.
Since alcohol thins your blood, it could stop the formation of a clot, putting you at risk for dry socket. Additionally, it can dehydrate you, which is one of the last things you want while your body is healing from an extraction. In short, you should plan on staying away from alcoholic beverages of any kind during the initial stages of recovery.
How Long Should You Avoid Alcohol?
Normally, it will take about 7 to 10 days for your mouth to heal to the point where it’s safe to enjoy alcohol again. The wait time won’t be precisely the same for everyone though; talk to your dentist to see what kind of timeline they recommend.
If you’re still using pain medication, you should refrain from alcohol for the time being. Mixing the two could result in liver failure and other potentially dangerous issues. You should only think about drinking again once you’re absolutely sure that you’re past the point of needing pain medication.
Is There Anything Else You Should Do While You’re Recovering?
Staying away from alcohol isn’t the only thing you can do to aid the healing process after tooth extraction. Here are a few other post-operative tips that your dentist is likely to give you:
- Set aside at least a full day to rest after your procedure.
- Hold an ice bag over the extraction site to keep swelling down.
- Don’t smoke, use a straw, spit, or rinse your mouth vigorously; these are all things that could displace your blood clot.
- Make sure that you’re only eating soft foods.
Remember: no matter how tempting it is to pour yourself a drink, staying away from alcohol is always the best call when you just had a tooth extraction performed. Simply focus on taking care of your mouth; once recovery is complete, you’ll be able to return to your regular activities.
About the Author
Dr. Walter Mick has spent more than 30 years giving his patients healthier smiles. He graduated from the Ohio State University School of Dentistry and completed his general practice residency at University Hospitals of The Ohio State University in Columbus, OH. He’s able to perform surgical extractions for severely damaged teeth. To schedule a consultation with Dr. Mick at Mick Family Dental Care in Reynoldsburg, visit his website or call (614) 864-4618.