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When you’ve just had a tooth extraction, beer and wine can sound pretty tempting. You may think these drinks would help you move on from your dental treatment. Still, you’ll want to hold off on the alcohol for now; it’d get in the way of your mouth’s recovery. Your North Bethesda oral surgeon can explain why if you want to learn more. To that end, here’s a summary of why you shouldn’t drink alcohol after a tooth extraction.
Don’t Drink Alcohol After a Tooth Extraction
While alcohol can often help you unwind, you shouldn’t have it right after a tooth extraction. It’d delay (or even reverse) your recovery from your earlier treatment.
Keep in mind that a tooth extraction leaves a gap in your smile. For a while, that area will form a blood clot until new tissue forms to protect your mouth. A drink like alcohol would stop this clot from forming and slow down the healing process. Worse, it could cause a painful dry socket that upsets your daily schedule.
What Should You Eat or Drink Instead?
Even if alcohol is off the menu, you can eat and drink other things after your tooth extraction. You just need to be a bit careful with your selection.
Some items are especially good to have after the extraction. For example, green tea would reduce your risk of a bleeding socket while you heal. Fresh milk could also provide calcium that strengthens your remaining teeth. Many room-temperature soups are also good choices, as they have crucial vitamins and minerals.
In most cases, a tooth extraction patient can drink alcohol after 7-10 days. Their mouth will have healed enough by then.
How Else Can You Speed Up Recovery?
If you really want to have alcohol again, you could just speed up your recovery. All you’d need to do is follow the right tips and tricks, including:
- Be Careful of the Extraction Site: Besides alcohol, even tobacco and coffee can upset an extraction site. You should avoid brushing or flossing very near it.
- Ease Your Pain: To ease post-extraction pain, you could take over-the-counter painkillers. Other options range from warm saltwater rinses to applying an ice pack or cold compress.
- Follow Instructions: Your dentist will have specific instructions for you to follow after your tooth extraction. To ensure the best results, make sure you stick to them.
You can’t drink alcohol after a tooth extraction, but that’s a small price to pay for good oral health. Talk to your local dentist to learn how treatment could help your smile!
About the Practice
North Bethesda Dental and Implant Specialists is based in North Bethesda, MD. Led by Dr. Chen, our practice performs dental care that goes above and beyond the norm. We specialize in dental implant treatments and other oral surgeries that enhance your smile’s health. In fact, you can count on our team for tooth extractions, facial trauma repair, and even apicoectomies. For more details or to book a visit, please reach us on our website or by phone at (240)-482-8244.