When Can Someone Smoke after a Tooth Extraction?
Following a dental extraction, including the removal of wisdom teeth, a lot of people ask themselves when they can start smoking again.
After a tooth extraction, a blood cloth slowly forms in the hole left in the bone by the removed tooth. This blood cloth is the initial phase of the healing process. The blood cloth’s formation can be slowed down when a person smokes, either from the suction done during the smoking action, or from the chemical toxins that come from a cigarette. This can lead to complications such as a dry socket, which is a temporary and very painful condition that occurs when the blood cloth forms slowly.
It is therefore recommended to wait at least 48 hours before smoking after a dental extraction. Smoking is very bad for someone’s health and stopping completely is mostly recommended.
See also in French.
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would one cigarette stop the clotting?
Just got 4 taken out along with a cyst. I would to hold off until at least 4 to 5 days to prevent bleeding.
I have never stopped smoking after an extractions. The trick is to smoke it like your inhaling a breath instead of sucking like on a straw. I did this after my wisdom teeth were surgically removed and two molar extractions. No problems.
I would mostly recommend not to smoke at all instead of giving advice on tricks of how to smoke. These tricks can work for some people or can lead to serious complications for others.
I have had the pleasure of having two teeth extracted in the past two months. The worst thing a doctor in the medical field can tell a smoke is not to smoke. Last extraction the assistant told me if she saw a cigarette in my mouth in the parking lot she would come out and slap me. So I waited until I got out of the parking lot and smoked little.
This past extraction, it was performed by my dentist and there was never any mentioning of smoking. He knows I had a recent extraction and knew I knew what I was “doing”. I think I do.
My question is, will the question about smoking after an extraction vary upon professions (oral surgeon, dentist) and if so/not, do they actually care or don’t care knowing if it becomes of a dry socket, they will make more money?
My first dentist and a few of my friends dentists recommend not smoking for the first 24-48 hours after an extraction. My new dentist that has performed most of my work says atleast 5 days before you smoke again. I am a smoker and I know what it is like to have that kind of trama to your mouth and then be expected to not smoke at all for almost a week. I dont recommend smoking for atleast 5 days but if you cant hold off until then atleast smoke as little as possible. If you do need to smoke atleast get some gauze from either the dentist or your local CVS or similar store, wet the gauze and place it over the extraction site. This way it prevents the tar, nicotine and such from going into the site and keeps it moist and holds any clot that you might already have in there. However, this isnt advised! But if you must smoke atleast use WET gauze and dont fully suck on the cigarette just kind of let it flow into your mouth. That is just my opinion and what I do. Just like Cyberanto says, this trick works for me but may not work for you and may even cause serious problems. The best thing is not to smoke at all.
Anthony Hille
Maybe your last dentist was a smoker as well, or maybe he simply totally forgot. But all dentists, dental surgeons, etc… know that smoking is not recommended following dental extractions.
Ashley
Thank you for sharing your thoughts. But I truly hope that you never have to go through any dental extraction again, and I hope more that one day you will be smoke free
In response to those who recommended alternate ways to smoke, I advise against it, as I was told that it’s not just the sucking motion that causes a dry socket. It’s also the chemicals and heat found in cigarette smoke. It may be recommended to wait 48 hours but waiting a week or 2 to be safe would be better. Dry sockets are NOT worth the risk
I had two molar teeth pulled out from right and left upper that never healed for 8 years.
Still have the opening holes.
I have bad drainage from holes and nasal nose and down my throat every day. really foul smell and taste. it is dark green and some yellow in color. mostly problem on my left cheek.
I had been treat with antibodic many times. improve some and when stop then coming back more than before.
please help me.
Can’t afford to see doctor.
I’ve been told to put gauges over the socket if i really needed to smoke, did it once but was afriad i would still get a dry socket
I had 4 molars and 1 wisdom tooth extracted this last Thursday. It’s been HELL. The worst thing someone can tell a smoker after they’ve had traumatic things done to them is “Now don’t smoke for a week!”. It’s horrible torture. I haven’t given into temptation yet, but I’ve been standing next to everyone I see with a fag trying to sniff a fix off their cancer stick. It’s ridiculous. I didn’t even know how addicted I was until I had oral surgery. lol.