Can I Smoke After Tooth Extraction?
While most patients don’t look forward to having a tooth extracted, it is more common than most people realize. It is common for patients to have their wisdom teeth removed or they may require the extraction of a tooth to ensure there is adequate room in the mouth. Fortunately, the body heals rather quickly following a tooth extraction. There are certain lifestyle habits, such as smoking, which can have an impact on the body’s ability to heal.
Tooth Extractions and Smoking
For patients who are having a tooth extracted, there are various complications which should be considered for smokers. Immediately following the removal of a tooth, the body naturally begins to heal. The first step of the healing process is the formation of a blood clot in the empty tooth socket. Fibroblasts then start to form which is vital to the healing process. Once this occurs, the body then starts creating bone.
Smoking tobacco or any other substance can have a negative impact on the healing process and cause serious complications. Smoking a cigarette results in an increase in your blood pressure. This can cause bleeding and dizziness, which is problematic while the body is working to heal.
In addition, tobacco products can result in damage to the cells. When a patient smokes, it is inhaled through their mouth. This allows for the tobacco and nicotine to have direct access to the surgical site. Smoking a cigarette following an extraction can result in serious discomfort and throbbing. Patients who smoke often experience more pain than non-smoking patients during their recovery. If a patient is a regular smoker, their blood actually contains carbon monoxide. This results in lower levels of oxygen and can prevent the body’s ability to deliver important nutrients to the surgical site.
Dry Socket
Symptoms including severe pain, throbbing, dizziness, and delayed healing are great reasons to avoid smoking after a tooth extraction. Another good reason to stop smoking is to avoid a dry socket. A dry socket or alveolar osteitis can cause serious and intense pain at the extraction site. Following the removal of a tooth, the bone contains an empty socket. The socket is a small hole or empty spot in the jawbone. Smoking puts a patient at risk for a painful dry socket, which also delays the body’s ability to heal.
Infection
The sucking movement used to inhale cigarettes is able to pull the blood clot out of the socket. Once the blood clot is gone, the nerves are exposed. This puts the mouth at risk for an infection. The development of an infection can be incredibly painful and also result in a dry socket.
Stop Smoking
Patients who do not stop smoking prior to a tooth extraction should avoid smoking for at least 24 hours following the procedure. Following an emergency tooth extraction, it is ideal for patients to stop smoking at least 72 hours. Patients who stop smoking allow their body to naturally heal. This also helps lower the risk for the development of a dry socket. It is critical for patients to continue practicing good oral hygiene after a tooth extraction. This helps keep the surgical site clean and prevents damage to the remaining natural teeth.
Patients who suspect they may need to have a tooth extracted should call the office to schedule an appointment. The team can discuss the procedure, review any questions you may have, and also discuss aftercare instructions. In order for the procedure to be successful and to minimize complications, it is important for patients to stop smoking after an extraction.