Following dental extraction, which includes the removal of wisdom teeth, a lot of people who are smokers may ask themselves when can they start smoking again.
After tooth extraction, a blood clot 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 to 72 hours before smoking after a dental extraction. Smoking is very bad for someone’s health and stopping completely is mostly recommended.
References
- When Can Someone Smoke after a Tooth Extraction?, Studio Dentaire.
- Fumer après une extraction dentaire?, Blogue dentaire du Dr Anto Youssef.
About comments, I will try to answer all of them as soon as I can, but try to respect those rules:
- Please do not ask questions about consuming illegal substances, even if “prescribed”.
- Please try to use full words and good English for me to understand.
- Please try not to ask something when the answer is clearly written in the blog post already.
Dental Blog with Dr Anto Youssef 
Hi. I just had my one wisdom tooth extracted today. I left the office at 12 pm. When can I have a cigarette again?
Angie, 12 pm in 3 days.
I heard putting a wet tea,bag over the socket while smoking will prevent dry socket. M on my way to my surgery now.. So I am wondering if this s true.
No Kelsey, it is no proved that it’s true.
Sorry I didn’t know how to make a new thread. 5 days ago I got all 13 of my top teeth pulled. I waited 4 days to smoke a cigarette, beside my stitches giving my sores on the inside of my cheeks the only pain I have is in the front, it feels like when you burn the roof of your mouth and your tounge runs over the area you get that stinging sensation. I hope it’s not a dry socket, I don’t go back for a check up until next week. I was wondering if it could just be sore still from the extractions?
Hello Cate, waiting 4 day was safe. If you have a lot of pain that can be hardly controlled with pain killers, I advise you see your dentist to have them check if all is ok.
Thank you. In have another question. I do believe that the amoxicillin led to oral thrush, will this affect the healing process?
Hey Dr Anto I had all 4 wisdom teeth removed on monday 10:40 am and it is now wednesday 4:30m pm would you think I would be safe to just have one cigarette?
Jesse, sorry for the late answer, but it would be safer to wait, one more day if you can.
Bonjour Dr. Anto,
Found this blog interesting up to a point. You have the patience of a saint! I found it looking for info on smoking and dry sockets as I am having a crowned tooth, #20, extracted next week. I found what I was looking for and then some. Not looking forward to any of it but after almost 3 months of dull and very annoying pain, I am slowly moving towards an implant. My question does not align with most of the comments here but I thought it might be a good place to ask what you think of dental tourism. In Washington state the cost of one implant is close to, if not over, $5,000. Researching prices and different countries I found that Mexico would be the better alternative for me cutting my cost, even with 2 trips, it would be half the cost of the U.S. price. Aside from the obvious concerns of doing something like this so far from home, what if any, has been your experience of maybe seeing patients who had work done elsewhere? I am sure dentists don’t like to clean up someone else’s mess but my regular dentist actually suggested Mexico when I almost fainted at the estimated cost. Merde’, there goes my annual summer vacation in France!
I think what you are doing here is wonderful and not said enough. Dental work is scary and any words of advice you can share to ease ones mind, before or after a procedure, is welcomed I am sure.
Merci beaucoup,
Sophia
Hello Sophia, thank you very much for your nice words, they are very encouraging! I am also sorry for answering you so late.
As for work done in other countries, I have seen good work and bad work. But just like I have seen that in my own country (Canada). Myself I do sometimes suggest to patients to get dental work done in another country because of the costs. What I do advise strongly, is before you choose a dentist, to look for recommendations. I mean to talk to someone who has had dental work done years ago at a clinic you are interested in. That way you can be more at ease of having your implant done there.
I hope that helps you and again, thank you Sophia!
hi i was wondering if it is ok to smoke marijuana today is my fourth day after i got 1 wizdom teeth pulled out. and what about alcohol ive been craving a cup of whine ?
I don’t recommend it.
For wine, it depends if you are taking pain medication or antibiotics.
Hello Dr.
I got all four wisdom teeth taken out 8 days ago. I haven’t had a cigarette because of hearing horror stories. I have the granulated tissue forming, and other than soreness every once in a while I am fine. I was wondering if it is okay for me to smoke again (normal suction etc).
Also, my friends are coming to visit this Saturday. It will then be 12 days since extraction, and I’m wondering if I will be able to drink and smoke as normal.
Thank you.
Hello Natalie, yes after 12 days smoking is safe. About drinking it would depend if you are taking pain medication or antibiotics that are contraindicated with alcohol.
I got a tooth extracted two days ago. I’ve been smoking since i left the dentist office. For the first day and for the start of the next day i was biting down on gauze everytime i went to smoke. Last night i went out for new years and drank heavily. I chain smoked the whole night with no gauze to cover the extraction site. Today there is a white film around the blood clot and a hazey white film over the top of the blood clot. Everything i have read says that this is part of the healing process. But i’ve also read it could be an infection. I am taking amoxocillan antibiotics every 6 hours. Could this be an infection, or part of the healing process?
Hi Mitchell, I think you are healing well even if you are taking risks. But if you want to be sure, I would have it checked by your dentist.
Dr,
I got a top molar extracted, I waited about 70/71 hours to smoke a cig. I was wondering if I am ok… There appears to be a scab still present as far as I can tell. Having company tonight and will probably have a couple beers and some smokes. Also, I have been using a piece of gauze when I smoke.
There is no proof the gauze would work. But if you waited 70 hours, it is very good 🙂
About drinking beer, it depends if you are taking antibiotics or pain medication that might be contra-indicated with alcohol.
Dr,
I had an oral surgery today to get a plate and a screw removed. (the plate was there when I had gotten my underbite surgery 2 years ago). the swelling seems to have gotten down a good amount. I was wondering how long I would have to wait to be able to smoke.
Hi Rebeca, I would recommend not to smoke for 3 days. But since you have not had a tooth extraction, it’s better to ask that question to the dentist or oral surgeon who did the procedure on you, just to make sure.
I got all 4 of my wisdom teeth removed on October 31st , 2014 . It is now November 14th , 2014 . On the bottom left the gum where the tooth was turned into a hole is this normal ? And on the right side I have a white bump . Why do I have the bump and what do I need to do ?
Hello Brittany,
After you have tooth extraction, the total healing time is between 3 and 4 months. It is normal that the first few weeks you feel a hole in your gums where those teeth were. I recommend that you rinse with salt and water after each meal to make sure no food gets caught in the holes.
About your white bump, if it is small and resorbing, I wouldn’t worry about it. Rinsing with water and salt helps. But if you feel that your white bump is growing, I recommend that you follow up with your dentist to make sure it is not an infection. Put in mind that infections happen very rarely 2 weeks after extraction.
good evening Dr Youssef 🙂
i had my right upper and lower 2nd premolar pulled on Monday, 15/12, at 8p.m, and now is Wednesday 17/12, 5.33p.m. i still feel minor sore on the edges of my upper tooth hole where my tooth were pulled. is it okay for me to smoke now?
thanks so much 🙂
Hello Amelia, sorry for the late response. But if you could have waited one more day it would have been even safer.
hello dr i was wondering if i could get dry socket i went to my dentist to get my tooth removed the top of it came of but the bottom half stayed in my gum so i have to get it surgically removed my dentist gave me anti biotics and said i could get an infection but said nothing about dry socket also i have’nt had a cigarette for five days and was wondering when the risk would be non existent and would i have to put a gauze over the extraction site yours truly arron
After 5 days you should be very fine. The risk is statistically not totally non-existent, but extremely low after 5 days.
thankyou dr 🙂
My pleasure 🙂
I notice many people saying they see the blood clot formed in the hole that is left behind; is this the actual clot your talking about that needs to be in place to prevent a dry socket or is it closer to the bone? I was out of surgery Thursday at 1:15 after removal of 2 upper molars and 1 bottom on each side but was told 48 hrs for straw use and smoking……AGREE or DISAGREE?? Thanks in advance!!
Abby, if you can wait 72 hours the risk for dry socket are even lower. So I recommend 72 hours instead of 48.
Hello Dr. Youseff,
Im 22 and got all four of my wisdom teeth removed on Friday morning. It is now monday night, and I haven’t had much pain since (just soreness.) Not realizing it, I got a drink from my school’s library that had a straw. I drank the whole twenty ounce drink before I thought about the straw. I also smoked soon after thinking if I was to get dry socket from the sucking motion it would have happened because of the straw. The left side of my jaw is now aching more than it has been (still not severe pain.) The pain/feeling I currently have is not what I imagine dry socket feeling like based on research. If I was to develop dry socket would it come immediately after the sucking motion or would there be a delay? Also when one develop’s dry socket does the pain get more severe as time goes or is it a constant pain? Thanks for taking the time to answer everyone’s questions. (Also I’m not showing any visible signs of dry socket and the surgeon’s instructions were no straws/smoking 24 hours after surgery.
Hello Paymun
Smoking and drinking through a straw does not automatically cause dry socket, it just increases the chances. And as you said, it doesn’t happen immediately, there’s a delay of hours or a day or two. If the pain that you are having right now doesn’t increase it means that you are not having dry socket, it is just normal post-extraction pain that can be easily controlled with pain killers. The pain from dry socket is usually very intense.
And also Paymun, thank you for your words of encouragement 🙂
Can you get dry socket from burning chronic? (it’s legal here in Seattle)
Yes you can.
Hi. I am not a smoker anymore but do use e-cigs. I had a lower premolar out 2 days ago and haven’t used my ecig since and nor will I until 72 hours have passed (which will be 11am tomorrow). I am a little confused though – I can’t see any hole where the tooth was! Just lots of swollen grey / white tissue. I have no idea if a blood clot has formed or not because I can’t see anything there. I have a history of dry socket and am doing everything to the letter to avoid getting it again.
I am still confused though how I could smoke / use ecigs after 72 hours and yet the risk of dry socket is at it’s worst at that time!!! Why does dry socket not strike sooner? And how can leaving it 72 hours stop it happening if it doesn’t occur until after this point anyway?
I hope that this makes sense! I have read your advice and paid attention to it and think you are marvellous to be answering queries like this.
A premolar is a small tooth, and it leaves a very little hole behind.
I understand you wondering of the time frame of when dry socket can occur, but the physiology of a tooth extraction healing works that way and the recommendations follow statistical data.
Hello! I just read all of these comments and wish to God I would have read more about complications with wisdom tooth removal. I have dry socket, the hole is huge, and still painful. I am 10 days post extraction, all week I have had to see my dentist for packing the hole, this weekend I am doing it myself. I changed it today. I wanted to see how fast the pain came back by not having the packing in, within 5 minutes, the pain was right there again! I am a smoker, not a heavy one, but regardless, I am addicted! I did not smoke until the following day, and that is probably why I got dry socket. My sister also had hers removed, had dry socket, and is a non smoker. I am not convinced it was from smoking for me, I kept gauze in my mouth and barely used any forceful sucking on a cigarette..but who knows. All I know is that dry socket sucks bad and I have had 4 kids, and seriously, I tolerated that pain a hec of a lot better than this. 😦
I am very sorry you are going through this pain, and I assure you it will go away soon in a few days. I also thank you for sharing your experience to warn others.
Dry socket can happen after an extraction to people who don’t smoke. There are multiple causes, smoking is one of them. Therefore by not smoking, the chances of having dry socket is reduced, but can still happen unfortunately.
Dr Youssef,
24 hours ago I had a bone graft done with sutures when I had my two bottom molars pulled in preparation for an implant.
Can I have a cigar? Or am I still at risk for dry socket?
Best regards,
Ed, for bone grafts, you have to not smoke for a longer time. I don’t recommend smoking a cigar at all.
Reblogged this on solvingeverydayproblems and commented:
Very good advice!! Than You!
Thank you!
Hey, I got my two bottom and upper wisdom teeth removed on Thursday at around 9:30 a.m. It is now 5:00 p.m. the following Monday and I was wondering if it is safe for me to smoke now? I have been using the syringe, gargling with salt water regularly and using special anti-microbial wash on my toothbrush. I am very worried about getting a dry socket as I hear it is extremely painful.
Yes Hunter, dry socket is extremely painful. But from Thursday to Monday is more than 3 days, so you are safe.
Sorry I didn’t know how to start a new topic. But.. I had an extraction yesterday it’s been about 20 hours. My dentist told me 24 hours before I could smoke or use a straw. And 2-3 other people told me the same thing in the office. So why is everyone saying 48 to 72? If they tell me 24 and I smoke.. and get dry socket.. that’s on them, right? I don’t have insurance to go back and pay if I get dry socket for them to take care of it.. I had to shell out $250 just for a simple extraction. So I’m finding this.. ’72’ hour thing a bit.. weird.. are you saying 72.. just to be on the mega safe, 100% side? If there’s like a 1% chance I’m gonna get dry socket after getting 1 tooth removed, and not smoking for 24 hours.. thats fine by me. Also.. is there any way to tell if its clotted well enough for you to smoke? That’s the answer I guess I was looking for. How do you tell when the clot can’t be ruptured?
Dan I understand your concern about getting dry socket and about you having to pay extra fees if you go back to your dentist.
There are different studies made on smoking and dry socket. Some recommend not to smoke for 24 hours, others for up to 2 weeks! If we look at all the studies, 72 hours (3 days) is a median.
About extra fees with dry socket if you see your dentist: myself I’m a dentist, and if someone gets dry socket and visits me only once, I don’t charge for it. We usually disinfect the extraction area and put a medication to make it better after a few days. But different dentists have different policies, and it also depends of which country you live in. Therefore I am not sure how your dentist works.
But all that said, I hope you won’t get dry socket. And if you can not smoke for 2 more days, that would be fantastic!
Hi I had the farthest back three teeth on the right pulled out on Wednesday got out of surgery at 415pm and its 730pm friday im really wanting cigarette my doctor said to wait 48 hours well its been 48hrs and im wantin to know if it is ok since I had three teeth pulled out at once. There is stitches in part of it. If you could get back it would be greatly appreciated.
Blake, it is true that some dentists say 48 hours. Some others say a week! 72 hours (3 days) is usually safe to smoke after extraction whether they are front teeth or back teeth. You are almost there!
How will you know if you have dry socket? And how does it start
Dry socket has mainly very intense pain that lasts a few days. You can also have difficulty of opening your mouth and also a bad smell in your mouth. It usually starts between 3 and 5 days after tooth extraction.
I am curios why one can smoke 72 hours after a tooth extraction, but dry socket can happen up to the 5th day after extraction, can you please explain this to me?
Thank You 🙂
Hello Elaine,
Unfortunately I can’t explain it precisely. The amount of the time given follows mostly studies based on statistics. Maybe an oral surgeon might know better than me on this subject and can answer your question better.
What I can say is that dry socket is a slow process that might occur following tooth extraction, and the behaviour right after surgery can affect it even if slower.
If you want, just to make sure, you can not smoke for longer than 3 days just to make sure.
Hello Dr Anto,
I had my #15 tooth extracted on August 18th at 11am, I noticed that evening the white granulation started to fill the extraction site, which I have heard is part of the normal healing process, this morning ( 5 days after) the white granulation is completely gone, is this also part of the healing process? Should the white stuff still be there? It looks to be a pretty deep hole… Yikes, the feeling of panic and looming dry socket is quite terrifying, any help on this matter would be greatly appreciated. I thank you for your time.
Elaine
Hello Elaine,
First, it’s a pleasure to be able to help and give my advice and share my thoughts 🙂
The way you are describing the healing of your extracted tooth sounds normal. The hole you are feeling should be there for weeks. Food might even accumulate in it when you eat. That is why you are recommended to rinse with salted water after meals.
It’s been five days since your tooth extraction. If you are worried about dry socket, I think the risks now are very low. Do you have a follow up appointment with your dentist?
i got dry socket by smoking i would honestly wait til the extraction is almost heeled weight 1 wk to really be on the safe side i have to do it for another wk because i didnt wait because in the past i have smoked afterwards so i never thought anything of it. i dont want you to go through the pain i am going through now as i am typing this to you. hold in there and all will be good in due time and when it is smoke a cigarette or a few just to catch up but just be careful nonetheless cause it really suck to have dry socket and you have to go back in to the dentist to continually be seen to see if the extraction site is healing properly. just wait at least 1 more wk to be on the safe side.
Hi Mandie. I’m sorry you’ve been through the pain of having dry socket. But I thank you for sharing your experience to warn otters.
Hello Doctor, I had a wisdom tooth pulled about 52 hours ago. It was not a surgery it was a simple extracted of a top molar that my dentist did. It wasn’t impacted or anything I assume. It was pretty easy. I have been gargling with warm salt water and what not. Do you think it is safe to smoke tonight if I suck in lightly and maybe fold up a paper towel, moisten it, and bite down on it while I smoke? Thank you for reading this, if you do!
It’s almost 72 hours and the risks of dry socket have been reduced.
hi Doctor,
hope all is well i know this might be old but i got my 4 wisdom teeth extracted (they did NOT put me under and i do NOT have stitches) on Saturday around 1pm , it is now Tuesday 9:25 pm would you say it’s ok for me to smoke now? or should i wait ?
Hi Dee, yes it’s ok as it’s been more than 3 days and the risk of having dry socket is now very very low.
thank u so much for your response! you are very kind and generous to do this have a great day . I feel at ease now =)
Thank you, and have a great day too!
Good Evening, I was just wondering I know you have posted that 3 days is a good enough wait to smoke again but does that include if you have sutures in your mouth? I was given sutures so that the open area can clot better and was wondering if that makes a difference on smoking? Thanks
Yes Slim, even with sutures.
hi I had a lower wisdom tooth and lower molar removed Monday AM and it is now Thursday PM…. Is it safe to smoke without getting dry socket and when is the risk of dry socket gone?
Hi Naomi, the risk of dry socket is still there, but much much lower after 3 days. I think it is safe.
On tuesday at 2:45pm, i had my botton premolar removed its now thursday 5:55pm, ive smoked since yesterday with glauze over the extraction, and ive been doin the warm water and salt trick.. will i be ok and not get dry socket? I was scared i had dry socket so i went tothe dentist today he said the clot looked good, but i have an ulcer where.tooth was removed, he gave me lidocaine for the ulcers… my fear is dry socket.. HELP
Heather, smoking after tooth extraction won’t directly lead you to dry socket, it will increase the risks. I think after 2 days you will be fine, especially if your dentist saw you and said all was ok.
Hi doctor. I had a wisdom tooth extraction on 8/24/13 and today is 9/8/13 and yet I still have a hole in my mouth . I got my left side wisdom tooth pulled. Is this normal for the closing of the gums to take this long? I am not experiencing pain but there is visibly a hole still in my mouth. Should I be concerned or is it normal? And is safe to smoke with this condition ? And I also rinse my mouth about 4 times a day with salt water and with a syringe at night.
Hi Jon,
The whole healing time after tooth extraction is 3-4 months, so after one month you might still feel a hole in your mouth. And you are advised not to smoke only for 3-7 days. Therefore after one month is is ok.
Hello Dr.!
I had my #2 pulled today and was given the usual instructions (no smoking, sucking, spitting, etc for 48 hrs and no rinsing for 24, after use warm salted water). How soon until I can use Listerine? My mouth just doesn’t feel clean without it.
Also, when can I start drinking hot beverages again? A nice, hot cup of chamomile tea with clove oil is calling my name. Nothing better for the pain in my opinion.
Thank you so much for taking the time to answer all of our questions. Such kindness is rare these days and when one encounters it, it is appreciated all the more!
Chrystal, for Listerine and hot drinks (chamomile), I suggest to wait 24 hours, just like the salted water.
P.S sorry it took me so long to answer your question 😦
Wow this page is amazing. I have a few questions. I got my top, back molar tooth pulled (the tooth right before my last one) last Friday morning. I’ve been EXTRA careful with my whole lifestyle, even the way I swallow my spit lol.I still see SOME blood which I guess is the clot. I was wondering when is gonna be a good time for me to smoke again and drink and be able to eat like I have normally been doing before all this. Ive been feeling weak because I don’t really know what to eat that won’t dislodge the clot. Lol i ve been parniod about it and every little pain I feel I like something wrong lol. Am I safe Now. I was planning on waiting till next wed to start back with my normal eating and living
We are Saturday, and if you are referring to Friday (yesterday) that you had your tooth extraction done, then you are recommended to wait 2 more days before smoking. Also during those 2 days if you can avoid using a straw when you drink.
No sir. Sorry lol. I mean Friday as in a week and 1 day ago
You should be feeling much better then 🙂
Hi doctor,
Just wanna know, can a normal person’s lower jaw accommodate 2 wisdom tooth if they are growing out straight correctly?
It hurts like crazy now, as the teething process had just begun, any remedies?
Thanks!
Yes some people have room enough on their jaws for wisdom teeth to come out. But only your dentist can analyze and answer if you have enough room. About the teething process I suggest your rinse with salted water and take Advil if needed. If the pain doesn’t go away call your dentist.
I an abcess on my jaw that’s about as big as it is. I took antibiotics for 2.5 days and it shrunk to the size of half my jaw, so the dentist decided that it could easily be removed. Then he forgot the appointment and wasn’t in his office. I called and he said we should reschedule for this afternoon. I went to a different dentist who thought I should wait but I insisted. It *hurt* and it still does. He didn’t give me any directions. As soon as I came home, I had a cigarette. And I really need another one. I also need to drink coffee which can only be drank with a straw. I think that I’m going to cry…
Maria, stay put, in a few days you will feel better. Make sure you continue taking your antibiotics as prescribed and please try not to smoke.
Hi, thanks for your reply. I managed to do without a cigarette. Turns out, the dentist was a pretty much a butcher. I’m someone who’s needed 2 injections for a filling. I don’t do well with anesthesia. I told him that and yet he performed a surgical extraction on an infected site with only two injections. He cut the gum, cut the tooth into pieces and he says he drilled into the bone, too. He didn’t even prescribe any painkillers afterwards. That’s why it hurt so much. All in all, it was an awful experience.
Sorry you had to go through that Maria.
Hi doctor i had two of my wisdom teeth pulled out i have not used a single pain killer because there is no pain what so ever and its been 72 hours do you think i would be ok to have a cigarette.
Thanks.
Hi William, after 72 hours, it is safe yes.
Hey doc. My name is Kemuel Austin I had my tooth pulled on July 22 and I am concern and wanted to know how long do I really have to wait to start back smoking. I am so paranoid about all the saying about how you can get a dry socket and I just wanted to know how long should I wait to start back smoking to avoid dry socket. In addition the bleeding has Lessing up and wanted to know how long should I wait to go without gauzes in my at all because it is getting irritating and ready for it to be out and go back to my normal life. Am really stress out about this doc and really need your help and advice. Thanks and have a bless day.
Kemuel, thank you for your kind and polite question. 3 days is enough of a wait after extraction.
Just wanna say, all your replies HELPED me a lot, thanks!
Thank you! Very kind of you to say so 🙂
I’ll give one big ditto to that! This forum helped me immensely after I had 32 teeth extracted. In the end, I ended up not smoking for 2 weeks with the help of “the patch.” For a 27 year old who smokes a pack+ per day, this was not easy – but reading this, having my questions answered and knowing I wasn’t alone was incredibly helpful during a rough time. Thanks doc! And thanks to the other posters!
AJ, thank you for your gratitude and kind words. I am glad things are getting better for you.
Hello Dr. Youssef – I had oral surgery – excision of benign mass in left buccal area (caused by ruptured salivary gland and accumulation of fluid) – 4 days ago. The surgeon placed dissolving sutures and prescribed penicillin vk 500mg QID x3d & Peridex swish&spit BID. I know smoking cigarettes is never recommended, but I wonder if you have any feedback regarding any efficacy placing a Peridex-soaked gauze pad over the sutures while smoking and then removing it when finished with the cigarette? Also do you have any knowledge regarding the use of an electronic toothbrush after such a procedure? I am just concerned that the high-frequency oscillations might disturb the tissue regeneration process and/or integrity of suture placement? Thanks!
Dan, I think it’s better not to try that trick and try not to smoke. I don’t have any data on Peridex soaked gauze on surgical sites.
Sorry for answering late, I was on my summer vacation 🙂
I had a top molar pulled due to an abscess. It has been a little over 96 hours since it was extracted, so I was wondering if it would be okay for me to go back to smoking as I normally would have done before it was pulled? Also, should i still worry about getting a dry socket? I am super paranoid that I will get one to the point that I am barely eating or anything. Another thing, it seems as though the clot is shrinking into my gum line .. Is that normal? There’s also a whitish, gray film over the extraction site .. Is that normal as well? Thank you so much.
After 96 hours, you are in a safe zone Alyssa. About the blood clot, yes it does shrink with time. I recommend to rinse with salted water twice a day.
Hello. Im 18 and I had my wisdom tooth pulled out (#7 down one) I had cyst on it, thats why I had to pulled it out.
Today is my 3rd day of not smoking. Can I safety start smoking again, without taking a risk of dry socket or anything bad that can happen to my wound? Thanks
Arlly, after 3 days you are pretty much safe. If you want to try and wait longer, it might be a healthy choice overall.
Your only 18, it’s not safe to smoke period, and it might be fun to buy your own smokes for a little while, but it becomes a burden, I have smoked longer than you have been alive, if you can stop for a couple days at 18 , you can stop period, your life will be better without them, I wish my parents weren’t so cool about me smoking. My dad’s had 3 heart attacks , I don’t know, if you don’t want to quit that’s your right, but mabe pray for me to quit , thanks.
Phillie, thank you for sharing your smart and sincere advice. I agree with you 100 % 🙂
Hello Doctor,
Yesterday morning (9am) I had my bottom right furthest tooth back (guessing my wisdom tooth) pulled. It was not easy. He had to break & crumble the visible tooth since it had previously cracked & then deal with fishing out the roots. After, my instructions were to not smoke for 2 days & to make milkshakes my best friend. Also change gauze every 30 minutes until the bleeding stopped. The nurse told me that I did not bleed a lot & it should be done quickly. But to be sure I did not smoke because when bleeding is very little like mine…also increases risk for dry socket. I have not smoked at all.
However after this pull, I went to the mall with a friend. Figured I wouldn’t feel much pain til that evening since I was given long lasting numbing meds. Within a matter of 5 minutes I felt zero pain to unbearable crying pain! The dentist wrote a prescription for 2.5/500 Lortab. But it was not ready. I have had 10/500 Lortab for awhile due to another health issue. So I took one of those. Did not touch it. I also took a Valium to try and calm me down. I stopped and went through 2 milkshakes. Nothing.
I don’t understand why I am in such terrible pain! Could this be dry socket? Have I done something wrong? The dentist acts like it’s normal & says I will have to push through. What do you think?
Samantha, I think you are experiencing dry socket, sorry about that. The pain is intense and it takes a few days to go away. As you said, it is hardly controlled with pain medication.
What you can do is contact your dentist and he or she can put a medication directly in the extraction site. It will not remove the pain completely but it will help a bit.
Dr Anto, I know I am replying to an old post, but I want to say — i had dry socket and it was excruciating and I found a solution to take away the pain until i could get into my dentist was a few drops of olive oil on a gauze strip and then 1 drop or 2 of clove oil on that. Then place it over the extraction site and basically leave it there. Allow it to mix with saliva and seal around the wound so that no air can get in. … when i finally got into my dentist, he opened the stitches and cleaned the area and scraped the bone and caused it to bleed again. This is important for the blood platelets to help heal the bone. …(as opposed to the pellets i hear that some dentists use) .. anyway, i just wanted to share this technique because i don’t think i could have survived the pain without out it!
Thank you for sharing your trick Andrea. Did you tell your dentist about the mix you put on your extraction area to relief the pain? I think it’s the clove oil that did the trick.
Hello Doc. My name is Tiffany and Feb 6th I had 7 teeth extracted. 4 wisdom and 3 broken root canals that were never finished. Basically, on left side I had 3 taken out on top and right side had 2 leaving the others for the bottom. Thankfully, no one can tell! My question is are my chances much greater for dry socket considering the amount I had removed? I am a smoker but have not smoked not once since my surgery. I do not take pain killers and have been using low dose Tramadol with Tylenol when needed. I was planning to take one puff tm being it was the 3rd day. I am barely a smoker to begin with. Yes, I know I should just quit! Also, if all the teeth removed were infected does that help remove the bad taste I had in my mouth before extraction. And will it finally combat the bad breath?
Tiffany, yes if there were more teeth to be extracted, the risk of dry socket is higher.
If the teeth your had extracted had gum disease and/or cavities, then their removal might help reduce your bad breath. This considering that everything else in your mouth is ok.
Sorry for the late answer, I was away.
Hey Doctor,
So I had two teeth extracted on the right side today, when should I start doing salt water rinses to avoid any infection? The doctor has me on antibiotics and such and i smoked but think im gonna hold off, how long should I wait to start up again?
Luke, 24 hours for rinsing, and 72 hours for smoking.
I just got one of my Upper molars removed, The dentist said there was a small hole connected to my sinuses, I have a birthday party to go to in a few days, and people in there tend to smoke i was wondering if i should go or not? They smoke on tthe hookah, i dont know exactly what they are smoking but i dont know if i should just stick this one out by staying home.
Butch, I think you should go to the party and have fun 🙂 If you can try not to smoke, even better.
Sorry for the late answer, I was away.
Good day Sir,
I had 11 teeth extracted 4 days ago, almost to the minute. Obv, I’m very scared of pain. I am a smoker. I have not had a smoke since an hour before I sat in the chair. I have been dreaming of cigarettes and have had one, unlit, for the last hour. The dry socket pain sounds very bad, and is the only reason this things is not lit. I have read your page here and if I had one or two teeth extracted, I would not be writing you. Is the 3 day wait for a smoke the same for 11 teeth extracted as it seems to be for one or two? With lighter in hand, I wait for a reply.
I’m grateful for your time and your help,
Almost toothless in Los Angeles
Hi Adam, I’m sorry you had to lose 11 teeth. Yes the 3 day wait is the same for one or more teeth.
I’m sorry it took me time to answer, I was away.
I had an extraction 4 days ago is was a top wisdom tooth. Am I safe of a dry socket
Alexis, you are pretty safe yes 🙂
It’s been a little over four days since I got my wisdom teeth out. I didn’t smoke for the at least the first 48 hours and only smoked a couple cigs with wet gauze in my mouth after for that day and have been smoking pretty much like that since . It been four days now and I’ve already had four cigs today so far . Is it okay to go back to my normal smoking regime by now? Or should I still be cautious and use gauze . I need advice asap !
Yes it is.
Hey Doc
Thanks For All The Good Advice You Have Been Giving To Everyone On Here
I Was Just Wanting To Know If Someone Get Dry Socket How Is It Treated And How Long Does It Take To Heal From it ? And Is Their Any Thing a person Can Do At Home To Relive The Pain From Dry Socket ? I Had My Tooth Pulled On Friday 1/25/13 At 12pm And I Am Past The Official 72 hr mark But Am Still Kind Of Leary Of Smoking Right Now But Don’t wont To Wait Another Day lol You Think I Am In The Safe Zone ?
I Have Very Mild Pain mostly my jaw and cheek And Am Still noticing A lil blood Thru Out The Day When I Rinse My Mouth Out ! Also When can i start to drink out of a straw and have sodas again !!
Thanks For The Help Doc !!
Dry socket is very painful and hard to control with pain medication. After 3 days it is safe to smoke. I hope no complications occurred and sorry for the late answer.
First of all, thank you for being so patient and kind. I had to laugh at the number of ways we smokers pretty much have asked the same question hoping that if we find the perfect way of phrasing the question, that your answer will change. That you will say, “Oh, in that case, you can smoke as soon as you get up out of the Dr’s chair”. I waited 3 days and I’ve smoked a total of 2 cigs today, so far. Wish i could have been strong enough to quit. Though, I am totally surprised that i made it through the 3 days. I’m a little proud of myself. What i would like to know is, if I read one of your responses correctly, the blood clot isn’t necessary a red blood looking thing. That, it could look white? Also, when can i really chow down on a good meal and drink soda without doing a salt water rinse? Honestly, I have only done a salt water rinse may be 2 times, once the next morning and may be one other time.
Roni, the intro to your question made me laugh because you are very right 🙂
About the blood clot it can be coloured and look greyish, not red.
As of the good meal and soda, as soon as you feel comfortable that you can.
Sorry for the late answer, I was away.
hey doc,
i had my four wisdom teeth removed on monday the 21st at about 10:30am. its now thursday, the 24th at about 1pm. i am a smoker, of legal age, and i am going f-ing nuts. ive tried to smoke a cigarette with gauze, but it just doesnt do it for me. how soon can i smoke a cigarette without gauze or anything in my mouth? also, i go back work saturday, the 26th, should i be fully recovered by then?
You should be very much recovered 6 days after surgery. You might have some bruises on your cheeks, but nothing major.
Hello!
I haven’t gotten my tooth extracted yet. My wisdom teeth came in 2 years ago with no issues, and is now coming back with a vengeance! I have an infection and was prescribed ibuprofen and keflex to clear it up before extraction. The doctor didn’t mention anything about smoking, eating or drinking. What guidelines apply to me? Since I’m sure I can’t get this “dry socket” yet, can my infection be made worse by smoking?
Hi Danielle. So no smoking for 3 days. And during that same period you are recommended to eat soft foods that are not too warm nor too cold. And please don’t use a straw when you drink.
I just had a tooth extracted with a bone graft yesterday morning. Just curious if a dry socket is still possible since the grafting material is in place? Thus far, I’m doing good without a cigarette and I’m going to try to keep it going.
Dan, when you get a bone graft, you even have to wait longer before smoking. And this is not just to reduce the risk of a dry socket, but also to make sure the bone graft is not rejected. I would recommend to wait 2 weeks before smoking, or maybe discuss it with your dentist.
Hi doc today is tuesday and i all four wisdom teeth cut out… I plan on smoking a cigarette 2mro (6th day since surgery) i have not had one since then and have kept up on my antibiotics and regular cleansing and rinsing at least 3x a day.. Would i be ok to smoke a cigarette w/o worrying about a dry socket or what do you prefer??
Thanx!
Keef, it would be cautious to wait 72 hours.
I got my lower right wisdom tooth extracted 7 hours ago. Numbness gone, No oral pain. It was already grown up and there was no cutting involved just a straight pull. They told me I cannot smoke I understand that but can I drink? If so what can I drink? Is it a myth that you can get a yeast infection in your mouth by drinking beer? Also on prescription medication. (they didn’t prescribe me with anything) I could see if it might be a problem if I was still bleeding because of alcohol thinning the blood but I haven’t bled in several hours. Reply please!
thanks!
You can drink beer as long as you’re not taking any medication that should not be mixed with alcohol.
Hello. I had my all my 3rd molars removed and got dry socket in the two bottom extraction sites, but have had dressings done 4 times. My oral surgeon told me I HAVE to quit smoking but he’s given me only 3 days til I have to quit and with school and other things going on I really don’t think I can make it for a month without smoking, which is what he told me. I wanted your opinion on the time frame I should be quitting for. Or if I can put cotton over the extraction sites while I smoke?
Ashley, I think your dentist is right. Using cottons won’t really help.
So its been a week and a few days now and im still concerned that when i smoke i can still develop a dry socket i usually stuff my four wholes from my wisdom teeth surgery and cover them with cotton balls and let loose. I waited over 72 hours to anhilate my first cig and crom them on its been 3-4 a day at most. Immidiately after smoking i wash my mouth out would u say its safe to say j will not develop a dry socket oh and i must add i am in little to no pain.
I think you are safe Tony, yes.
I just had my back bottom molar pulled a little over 48 hours ago, Ive been taken my antibiotics, and ibuprofen. It doesn’t hurt at all, and looks good like its already starting to scab over a little bit. i was wondering when it would be safe to use smokeless tobacco, of course i would put it on the opposite side of the mouth and wouldn’t spit hardly at all, but i just have the need for it,lol. please help.
Luke, I don’t have info on chewing tobacco, but it would be wise to wait 72 hours.
Hi doctor
I had my upper back tooth removed on Monday at 1.30. A blood clot formed within an hour. Iv been too afraid to eat incase it came out. Was in pain all day yesterday and so went back to the dentist today as i was afraid I had dry socket( even though the clot was still present) He said it looked ok, he removed the clot and filled with clove dressing to aid healing…
Is it ok that he removed the clot on 3rd day as everything I have read says you must try not to dislodge it??
Also now I’m afraid to eat incase the dressing comes out… When will it be ok to resume my normal routine?
I don’t smoke but I always use a straw to drink- when can I use one again?
Thanks nicola
Nicola, I’m sorry you had to go through all this. To be on the safe side, I would wait a week before using a straw.
a dr. i just got a tooth pulled in the top left all the way in the back. the last one. but you think i can smoke lightly and like not even a half of a cig without getting a dry socket?
You know the answer Kevin 🙂
hello sir, I’ve just got my upper left molar extracted and I smoke pot regularly but I don’t smoke cigarettes, when would it be safe for me to start smoking again? I only smoke one joint/spliff/doob a day and generally at night after work…..how many days should I wait until I smoke again? thank you so much, eagerly awaiting your response.
My blog is not open for illegal substances, but you have to wait at least 3 days.
question about illegal substances.. if they are legal where i am but not many other places am i allowed to ask about them? there is no prohibition where i live anymore, but it is hard to find professionals with real knowledge on the subject.
Sure, please ask 🙂
Hi Doctor,
I had the bottom right tooth next to the k9 tooth extracted and a bone graft was performed. 5 days later, although I did not use the flipper alot, each time I used it for few hours and remove it, I feel a very bad taste in my mouth and a very bad smell as well, in addition that it seems that the white visible material sinks. I was wondering what is causing the smell? and is the sinking white material assuming it is the bone graft ! normal
Also I see the black wire used for stitches getting loose, is this normal?
Thank you
Isn’t the bon graft material covered with a type of membrane?
About the stitches, yes most often they can get loose.
Hey Doc, I just had my #9 front tooth pulled today, about 6 hours ago. My dentist didn’t give me any instruction on not smoking and I did just smoke a ciggarette, realizing halfway through it was probably a very dumb idea. So I came on here to research it and it looks like I made a mistake in smoking. It was a crowned tooth and the crown had fallen off in less than a month so I decided to go to a Oral Surgeon and get an implant. All that was left of the tooth was a little stub at the time he pulled it. Am I in severe danger of getting a dry socket? How would I know if one was starting to form? Its been 30 minutes since I smoked and I feel no pain or discomfort at all but I am on oxycodone. Should I be worried? Thank you for the time you put into this, I am very greatful for any help.
Tommy, dry socket tends to occur more often after the extraction of bottom teeth to the back. Also smoking increases the risk of dry socket, it doesn’t automatically lead to it. I wouldn’t worry too much, but I recommend not to smoke.
Hey Doctor,
I had my back molar (top) removed 25 hours ago. I just did my first rinse with warm salt water, stuck to soft room temp mush foods, no straws soda or spitting. But I don’t do painkillers. So I have had a mild discomfort since yesterday, and since I woke up today it is sore when I open my mouth ( I assume because the site is basically right up against my cheek and rubs. But now I’m concerned about dry socket, after reading that is a symptom. Opening only hurts in the site side, and it hasn’t gotten any worse. The tooth was large and the roots went deep. I can feel pain all the way to my cheek bone, but not unbearable. Do you think it’s the start of dry socket?
Thanks in advance!!
I don’t think so Penny. I would say you are just experience normal pain after wisdom teeth extraction.
Hello dr. I had all four of my wisdom teeth removed yesterday morning around 10 and have been experiencing very little pain but unfortunately I caved and smoked half of a cigarette with gauze covering the extracted areas and rinsed afterwards. How can I tell if I will develop dry sockets? After reading some different websites I am freaking out. Also, how long does it take for dry sockets to form? Thanks!
Justus, dry socket usually develops 3 to 5 days after the extraction. You would feel intense pain, bad smell and taste in your mouth, and difficulty of opening wide. It doesn’t mean it’s gonna happen.
Thank you dr for the quick reply!! I am feeling very little pain so I think my paranoia is getting the best of me.
Hi doctor i had my tooth pulled out on 12/18/12 at 1:30 when is it ok for me to smoke
Tiffany, we recommend that you wait three days.
Hello!!! I just had my 4 wisdom teeth removed on Friday. It is now Tuesday and half of my bottom lip and chin are completely numb, Help me!!! I am going insane. Will this last forever?! Also, on my bottom right side, looks like I have a canker sore inside my mouth. Is that possible?
Megan, you are having paresthesia, which means that your numbness could last for weeks or months. In 99 % of cases of paresthesia the feeling comes back. I suggest you consult your dentist and tell him or her about it.
About the canker sore, it can happen yes.
Hi Doc, awesome job you are doing here. i just had a quick question if you dont mind. i just had #15 and # 18 removed. they were in bad shape and the dentist had to take them out in pieces. now it has been 4 hours since the procedure was completed and i am noticing that when i swallow i can feel pressure on the sockets where my teeth were. is this normal? it has me a bit worried.
Also, i do not drink very often but how long would it be best to wait after finishing the antibiotics before having a drink again?
Lastly, how hot is to hot with drinks? like most people i enjoy my coffee first thing in the morning. cold coffee i consider rather terrible so just wondering how far i can compromise on it before i risk regretting it.
Thanks Doc, i really appreciate it. It is good to see someone out there thinking of all the people out here that some times just need someone that is willing to answer a question or listen to a problem. i truly appreciate it
Will, the pressure you feel when you swallow is normal, it will go away in a few days.
For drinking alcohol, just like you said it, it is best to wait until you finish you prescribed medication.
For drinking warm coffee, I would suggest to have it warm, not hot. 🙂
Thank you so much Will for your encouraging words. 🙂
i just got my tooth pulled out yesterday on sunday on the top left of my mouth.. how long should i wait to smoke a cig..? please help i really need to know.
Aryn, you are recommended to way three days after the day of extraction.
Hey! Brilliant blog. Has really calmed me down after my op. Just wondering, It’s been… 4 days since i had a molar pulled out. I know it’s not the greatest thing to do but what would you recommend would be a good cover to place over the hole whilst i smoke? my dentist didn’t give me any gauze. I tried to bite down on tp but it cause me discomfort. Any suggestions? ty. 🙂
Craig, there’s no research on smoking with gauze, whether it reduces the risks of dry socket after tooth extraction. But after 4 days you should be safe.
Thanks! Gave it a try, wasn’t too bad. But just watched a video of a guy getting his dry socket treated and he looked like he was in agony! Think i’m just gonna put off smoking for as long as possible! Haha!
Good idea!
It has been four days since I had my tooth extracted and my blood clot fell out i have no pain other than my cjeek is sore from a sore on it should I go back to the dentist or is it normal to loose the blood clot
Sometimes people mistake the blood clot for plaque or food debris. I would consult your dentist only if you feel intense pain and difficulty of opening your mouth.
Really? Plaque? I had my wisdom tooth removed recently (it was broken and then broke the top wisdom tooth as well), and since then I noticed a bit of white build up. At first I thought it was the medication the doctor stuck in the empty socket to get the bleeding to stop, but it was kind of mushy and gross, and I thought it might have been plaque or something to that effect. My husband also had to get a tooth out and is now getting a bit of the white stuff forming around his tooth he got removed so now I think I might have messed my chances for letting it heal faster. It’s been 4 days now and the area is feels bruised and throbbing a bit. Is this normal. Same thing is happening to my husband but he had to get a canine removed.
Krystal, it can be either food debris, plaque, or the blood clot forming.
Dr. Youssef,
I had #4 surgically extracted on Tuesday morning with sutures afterwards. My dentist told me that it was his recommendation not to smoke for 48-72 hours, but if I absolutely had to, not to do it for the rest of that day, so I didn’t. I started smoking again the next day, although not even 1/4 of the frequency as before. My question is this, is it normal for the injection sights on the roof of my mouth and the outer part of my gums towards the cheek to have a burning sensation or is this due to the smoking? Could this burning/itching be from the stitches? I have had extractions before and went right back to smoking with no problems, but I’ve never had stitches before so I am super cautious this time. It’s been over 72 hours now and I brush my teeth and rinse with salt water every time I eat, drink, or smoke (which is about a half a cigarrette every 4 or 5 hours). I drink one cup of coffee in the mornings, not hot of course, and the rest of the day only water. The socket doesn’t hurt at all, just the burning/itching on the gums around the injection sites. I had 3 injections on the inside and 2 on the outside. Also, the day before the extractions I had an X-Ray done and he found it was infected. I started on 300mg of Clindomycin every 6 hours that day and had the extraction the next morning. The socket is also turning greyish white, which I have seen with previous extraction sites, but the burning is new. I go back this coming Tuesday to have the stitches removed but I’m hoping this feeling will subside by then. Any help you can give me would be very much appreciated 🙂
Jessica, the burning feeling you have is probably from the stitches. Smoking does not automatically lead to dry socket, but it raises the chances, so if you smoke you are taking a risk.
Until you get your stitches off, I recommend you rinse with salted water to make sure they do not contain plaque and cause gingivitis. Actually rinsing with salted water is also good for your healing gums around your socket. You are however advised to start 24 hours after surgery.
Please put in mind that rinsing with salted water will not reduce the risks of dry socket if you choose to smoke.
It’s. Going toi be 10 days. Since i got my tooth pulled out. Is it ok to smoke a cigarette? Thanks for your time ….
10 days is fine Anita, unless your dentist said otherwise.
I have just gotten a tooth pulled tuesday, And i was wondering is okay to start smoking again, the doctor told me a week but that is such a long time and alot of websites i come across say about 3 days. Also, how do i know a blood clot formed? Im terrified that my blood clot didnt form, and im going to get dry socket.
Katherine, you can’t really see the blood clot. I suggest you go by your dentist’s recommendations because he or she knows you better and the surgery that you went through.
I got my tooth out today and i have had a smoke ???
i didn get told about any of that not to smoke after my dentist didnt tell me anything about it
Larna, I hope no complications came out of it.
was there there any problems…cause i am having a nic fit
So if it’s been a week since I got my wisdom teeth out, is it okay for me to drink alcohol and smoke cigarettes??
Sorry for the late answer, but a week is fine for cigarettes. About alcohol, it’s ok if you’re not taking antibiotics or pain medication that don’t allow you to.
Hello doctor, i have done my surgery on Thursday November 8 now it is Saturday night the 10th. I had two top teeth out and the bottom wisdom teeth as well. They had to remove i believe a little bone and gum. I was just wondering when it would be a safe time to smoke. Thank you.
John, Sunday November 11.
Hey Dr.Youssef! My name is Julio and i just want to thank you for taking time to answer every patients question. It feels so good to see someone that cares about us. I had my 4 of my wisdom teeth pulled October 18th. I am going on 4 weeks now. It seems like they are healing perfectly expected for one of em.I still see a hole and I have a lil bit of swelling on the inside of my gums.I am not sure if its infected or what. But I was wondering if is it still okay to smoke? Not a cigarette but a blunt full of marijuana? I know this is bad but I am being truthful as possible and I dont like to smoke nicotine or any type of tobacco. Again thank you for taking the time to read this and EVERYTHING! GO DOC!
Julio, smoking anything is the same. But I’m gonna have to remove this comment because it involves illegal drugs, sorry.
I had my tooth extracted yesterday at 4pm it’s now the next day at 9:15. I’m still in a bit if pain and my mouth is still swollen how do I get the swelling down and stop this pain? Also would like to know if I’m able to smoke yet
Lauren, do you have pain medication? Maybe Ibuprofen or other pain killers? About the smoking, you are recommended to wait 72 hours.
Hello I would like to thank you for helping everyone with their questions, it is really nice of you
Dee
Thank you Dee! Your comment is very encouraging 🙂 Have a great weekend!
Hello Doctor, I had two lower extractions at 2 PM Thursday. I know that 72 hours is the recommended waiting period before continuing tobacco use. Here’s my question. My dentist said to me that I’d have to wait a few days before I could smoke again, but when I called the office today and asked if I could use an e-cig (vapor cigarette), the receptionist said they usually advise no inhaling for 7 – 10 days. I want to give up smoking. I am just a little confused now. Would I be ok with trying the e-cig after 72 hour elapses? Thanks in advance.
Derek, I think it’s safe to use an e-cigarette after 3 days. Just out of curiosity, e-cigarettes only have vapored water, not nicotine? So I would guess that it is harmless for the lungs?
Thank you for your reply. Some e-cigs have nicotine while others don’t. It’s now 76 hours after extractions and I smoked a real cigarette for the first time since. Other than my own paranoia I feel fine. Another question related to my first would be is it normal for the gums to sting a bit after that/some jaw tightness?
Doctor,
For your own knowledge, the above poster is correct. Some e-cigs contain nicotine while others do not; however, most e-cigs do contain nicotine. Also, there is no water vapor involved. That’s a misunderstanding on your part. The “smoke” is actually vaporized vegetable glycerin or vaporized polyethylene glycol (depending on the brand), not water.
Thanks for clearing things out.
First off, I sincerely appreciate you taking the time to read and reply to every comment posted. It’s hard to get many dentists to sit and answer all of the questions, let alone someone doing it out of the kindness of their heart (and free!).
Secondly, I have read most of the posts and I hate to be redundant, but I had my upper left wisdom tooth pulled (only took about 30 sec) last Friday, today is Thursday. My dentist is a family friend, and as I truly value his opinion, it makes me nervous as he told me I was able to smoke within two hours of that. Is this possibly due to the fact that this was non-surgical and quick?
I have always been paranoid about teeth and am deathly terrified of the dreaded “dry socket”. To me, no nicotine withdrawal is worth the horror stories of pain!
Also, I know that hot liquids can lead to the loss of the blood clot-how soon can you begin drinking coffee? No cigarettes OR coffee, I think was more brutal than the recovery itself.
And lastly, how long do I need to worry about the blood clot? I’ve heard that it will reabsorb into your body, but I haven’t heard of how long this takes. I am almost certain I am out of the danger of dry socket-but nerves can do crazy things to ones mind.
I sincerely appreciate you and wish you all the best!
Jaymee, first, thank you for your kind words. It is a pleasure for me to help people.
About the delay of not smoking after an extraction, I understand your dentist. When I graduated from dental school 13 years ago, we use to advise patients not to smoke only for four hours after an extraction. But dry sockets are occurring too much, and we notice that it happens more to people who smoke. More studies have set up the delay to 72 hours. I strongly suggest if you can hold out that long, it would be better. That being said, I have a lot of respect for your dentist and what he or she says.
About the coffee, how about wait for it to become a little bit colder and then drink it?
I am not a smoker, and I strongly advise all those who are close to me to stop smoking. But I like coffee 🙂
Thank you Dr!
One more quick question–how long do I have to worry about the blood clot? I did hear that it will absorb back into the body at one point..How long does this take so I am “out of danger” or dry socket?
Thank you again for all your time! Bless you!
Jaymee, the total time it takes to heal is about 3 months. But you don’t have to worry about dry socket all that time. Usually dry socket occurs between the 3rd and 5th day after surgery. In some rare cases it can happen 7 to 14 days after.
I had my lower left way back tooth removed on Friday at 1pm cst. Would I be ok to smoke tonight? I know dry sockets have a higher risk is lower teeth I just want to make sure
Yes it’s been 3 days therefore it’s ok.
Hi I’ve got my wisdom teeth removed on Tuesday morning around 9 pm (10/16) and I smoke half a cigarette earlier but is it ok to smoke with out gauze it’s been over 80 hours my mouth is not bleeding I’m healing “fast” as my dentist says but I want to be safe then sorry you know what I mean? Is there anyway you could help me out
Hi Steven, smoking is ok after 72 hours, unless your dentist said to wait longer. By the way there is no proof that smoking with gauze is a safe way.
Okay thanks a lot I appreciate the help
You are welcome 🙂
dr, i had a molar and a wisdom tooth taken out tuesday at 2pm. it is now friday at 8 am. am i okay to smoke? and what about alcohol? my dentist didnt mention anything about not drinking. thank you for your time
Smoking is ok 3 days after. For alcohol, it depends if you are taking antibiotics of pain medication that is contraindicated with alcohol.
Fine way of explaining, and fastidious paragraph to take facts about my presentation subject, which i
am going to convey in school.
I am glad the subject was useful 🙂
Hi Cyberanto,
I would just like to say that i really appreciate your all your help. By reading all the posts that have been made, my questions have all been answered. I find it amazing how patient you are in taking time to answer everyone’s questions. Thank you so much.
Vicky, your comment is more than just appreciated, you just made my day and my weekend 🙂
Hi Dr,
I had my wisdom teeth extraction on Friday, 10/5. 2 left side molars, upper and lower were removed. I smoked half a cigg on Saturday, another half on Tuesday morning (96 hrs later) and another half Wednesday morning. When i smoked these three times, i purposely inserted gauzes inside my mouth trying to block the holes left by wisdom tooth. I am on antibiotics, and i have stopped pain killers.
Can i smoke gently without worrying about these gauzes now?
i see the clot on my left lower jaw, hoping its fine. When will these clots start disappearing? When do you think i can stop worrying about dry sockets or anything worse, like is there any indication?
Thanks for all your help, looking forward to your reply!
Thanks
Chris, after all this time it is safe to smoke. The whole process of healing takes about 3 months. So slowly you will see pink gums filling up the sockets where your teeth were.
I got my two top wisdom teeth pulled on thursday at about 5p.m he told me to wait 3 WEEKS!!! Do I really need to wait that long?! Please help, i’m dying over here!!!!!!!
Logan, your dentist is the best person who can give you advice because he or she knows well the state of your teeth/bone and of how complicated the surgery was. I would listen to your dentist’s recommendations.
my dentist said 3 weeks, so why does it matter?, 3 weeks or 3 days, im dying here too i need one, bad i dont think i can wait 3 weeks, if it was 3 days i could cope but 3 weeks, why that instead of 3 days
Timmy, your dentist knows best, as he or she was the one who did your extraction. I advise to follow their instructions.
I had second molar 31 extracted on friday around 3 PM with just a local and it went well. I have had absolutely no pain at all since, and it was a much easier experience than when I had all four wisdom teeth removed many years ago. It has now been about 48 hours since, I really want to smoke and I’m going a little crazy. You suggest 72 hours so I will keep waiting, but can I use a nicotine patch to help with the cravings?
Also, the aftercare instructions given had only 24-48 hours listed, and also said “No Rinsing”. Since it has been 48 hours should I begin rinsing with saltwater solution? Rinsing with saltwater solution is not mentioned anywhere on the aftercare sheet, and I cannot contact the dentist until tomorrow (closed on weekends). I really don’t want to develop dry socket, and everywhere I research on the internet says something about rinsing a number of times per day, but since my dentist did not mention it and the instructions do not recommend it, I’m worried. Thanks for any advice, I really appreciate what you are doing here!
I still suggest to wait 72 hours before smoking to reduce any risk. Nicotine patches should help.
And about rinsing with salted water, usually I recommend not to the first 24 hours and then to do so twice a day. It reduces risks of infection and also removes food debris that might be stuck. But please do so gently.
And thank you for your encouraging feedback 🙂
doctor, i got my 3 wisdom teeth pulled on friday at 3 pm, its now monday at 2:13, the dentist sayed no straws, smoking or spitting for 4 days, is the 4 days to be safe or can i smoke after 72 hours? thank you very much
Logan, I recommend to wait 4 days as your dentist said, because he or she knows better of how your tooth was place and how complicated was the surgery.
hey doc. i had 3 teeth pulled on friday at 1pm, 1 being an impacted lower wisdom tooth and the other two being the molars in front of it closer to my bottom teeth making it 3 missing teeth. It is now monday at 7pm are my chances of getting dry socket still high or can i smoke now? thanks – james
Hello James, it’s been three days now so the risk of getting dry socket is very low.
Hi after reading most of your recent responses I have to say that you are very kind and patient to everyone even though they are asking the same question over and over.
You are a real blessing here
Thank you
Dee
AAAAhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh Thank you Dee!!!! 🙂
Hi, I went to the dentist today because of tooth pain, fully expecting it to be my wisdom teeth. Instead, the dentist found two conical small extra teeth next to my regular molars, about a quarter of the size of a normal tooth, one of which was starting to decay (and causing the aches). Both of them were removed, and now I’m wondering how long I have to wait until I can smoke. I have no problem with not smoking for a few days, but I assume that since the wound is smaller (and thus heals faster) it won’t be as long as with a wisdom teeth. But I’m no expert, of course.
Never underestimate a molar, I recommend to wait 3 days.
I had all four of my wisdom teeth removed Friday, it is not Monday. All of my wisdom teeth were impacted. My top wisdom teeth were really up high, and the dentist said that would take 40 minutes just to remove my top wisdom teeth. I have no pain in my gums but it hurts to open my mouth. It feels sore. And my right cheek is a lot more swollen than the left. My stitches fell out of my right side on the second day of recovering. Is that normal? And I am a smoker and it has been over 80 hours since the surgery, can I safely smoke now? What are my chances of getting dry socket? Thanks 🙂
If it has been 80 hours then the chances of getting dry socket are low. But you are feeling pain when you open your mouth, if it becomes more intense, contact your dentist.
Hello doc I’m 16 and had a rotten molar pulled today I realize that you said to wait 72 hours but can I smoke with gawse where the tooth was removed?
No Jesse, it is not recommended.
WordPress sent me your comment on September 29, 2012, not 3 years ago.
i had 3 of my wisdom teeth removed on thursday of last week. it is now friday and the stitches have dissolved/fallen out and i have completed my antibiotics, is it okay for me to begin smoking again?
Yes Daniella, after 3 days it is ok.
Hi Doc! On monday i had #10 extracted and got a temporary bridge over it. I can see the healing process from the top of the bridge. Anyway its been 72 hours since my extraction but my doc said to wait 1 week no smoking or no alcohol. Its healing fine and I am in no pain ..actually i feel great. Can I smoke???
Demi, I totally recommend to wait a week because of what your dentist said, because he or she knows the state of your surgery better than I do.
Hi, I had the last step of my implant done, I just got the little screw put in and a couple stitches. How long should I wait before I can smoke? Thank you for you time!!
When was the implant placed, a few days ago, or months ago? If it was just placed you have to wait weeks before smoking. If it’s just the healing screw, then waiting 3 days is fine.
the implant was over a year ago, and they removed the cap on the implant to put in the little screw.
Ok Liz, if it’s only the healing abutment (screw) then 3 days of not smoking is enough.
Hey Dr. Youssef,
I had my wisdom teeth removed Friday, September 21at 8A.M. and I just wanted to know if it should be ok for me to use smokeless tobacco (dipping tobacco) now. Also will it be harmful to drink alcohol one week following the procedure.
Thank you for your time
Daniel, I am not aware of how long you should wait for chewing tobacco after tooth extraction. I believe it is also 72 hours. What did you dentist say about it?
For alcohol, it should be okay, unless you are taking antibiotics or pain medication that is contraindicated to mix with alcohol.
Hi there I’m 17 and I just got my two bottom wisdom teeth out September 19th. I am a smoker and i haven’t had one since before i got them removed. They were impacted, I also haven’t used a straw. But I have an intense pain in the right side wisdom tooth. but it go’s away fast also its still bleeding when i wake up in the morning. I need a smoke so bad but im scared, Like its not so bad in the morning anymore. But yeah. Would it be okay for me too smoke now. Thanks so much
Rachelle, it depends of what your dentist recommended because he or she knows of how difficult the surgery was. But I would consider that 72 hours have already passed by and usually it should be ok. But please contact your dentist first.
Hello,
I am going to have my molar next to the wisdom lower right pulled. As well as surgical removal of a root that was remained from an extraction i did years ago. My question are such can you smoke before the surgical procedure? My nest question is, The site where the root is there is not much space there. My smallest finger can not even fit in the space. Can this procedure still be done? Finally I am really scared of pain and dry sockets how can i prevent this and speed up my healing. Thank you in advance. Keep up the great work!
Hello N,
About smoking before surgery, I have never heard or read anything saying that it is bad. Just after surgery it is recommended to wait 72 hours.
For the small space where your root is, I wouldn’t worry as dentists have ways to remove it. Don’t forget that most of your teeth are smaller than any of your fingers.
To prevent dry socket, I recommend the following:
And by the way, thank you very much for your encouragement!
My dentist told me to rinse after every meal, starting today! (I had the tooth out 4-5pm yesterday)
I’m worried now as I’ve been rinsing since . Dry Socket seems to be one of those things that nobody expects – having had it before, I’m happily avoiding smoking for at least 3 days than getting dry socket, but it just kinda annoys me how my dentist didn’t even put it on their aftercare sheet…
J, yes you are doing well about rinsing with salted water 24 hours after your extraction and not smoking for three days.
I had a molar on my top left side pulled 3 days ago, it was pulled not cut out, how long should I wait before I use chewing tobacco, I am finding a lot of information on wisdom teeth but I was wondering if molars were any different?
The post-operative care for wisdom teeth are similar to the ones of any molars. After 3 days it should be okay.
Hey doctor,
I just had a premolar removed and a flipper put in. Is it ok to smoke with the flipper or should I just quite? If I have to wait two days to smoke I might as well stop all together.
Jaclyn, yes please wait 3 days. And if you quit all together, even better! Congratulations in advance!
Hey Doc just reading the replies you have on here just thought i would say good job.
i know this is one of the many questions, i had my lower left and upper right wisdom tooth taken out Sept 4 2012 by an oral surgeon. On a generic booklet they provided on the do’s and don’ts it said not to smoke for 4 weeks. can i smoke now?
also my stitches are poking into my cheek can i just cut the top of it so that it is not bugging me? but on my lower jaw i notice that it looks like my gum is almost pulling away from my tooth is that normal?
also is it ok to have a couple drinks?
4 weeks is the most cautious recommendation I have heard. Maybe your extraction was very complicated. If I calculate right, your extraction was done 10 days ago, and my opinion would be that it’s ok to smoke now. But if you can wait 4 weeks, why not.
Have you had dental implants placed too or any other type of surgery at the same time?
And by the way, thank you very much for your positive feedback 🙂
No dental implants, my wisdom teeth were just impacted.
I think you should be fine 🙂
Hi Dr Youssef,
I had my tooth extracted 36hrs ago and seems to be healing well, I have been rinsing with salt water every 4-5 hrs and taking ibuprofen, I haven’t smoked yet but would it be ok for me to have 1 and rinse straight after?
Thanks for doing such a great job 🙂
Louise
Thank you very much Louise for your nice feedback 🙂
I would still recommend not to smoke until the 72 hours have passed just to avoid any complication.
Tuesday sept. 11 I got all four of my wisdom teeth removed. All of the sites were sutured with dissolvable stitches, none have fallen out or dissolved yet. I had 4 cigarettes yesterday, 2 of which I packed with gauze for. A few hours after my last cigarette, I got this intense pain in my bottom right extraction site. Is it possible even with the stitches that I could have dislodged the blood clot and caused a dry socket?
Denisa, yes it is.
I just got my two bottom wisdom teeth pulled out today up 9/12. I haven’ t smoked yet nor do i want to but I want to know when I can resume without getting dry socket? Thank you
Adam, you are recommended to wait 3 days (72 hours) if you want to eliminate the risks.
I just had six teeth extracted. How long before I don’t have to have this damn gauze in my mouth? My whole jaw is sore and I feel the gauze isn’t helping as I have to put pressure on it to keep it in place.
A few hours is enough John, considering that you are not smoking with the gauze.
Hello doctor i just had my wisdom teeth removed on the 7th of September and i just recently smoked on the 9 round 4am because i just had to smoke one i only smoked half of it and i and super soaked cotton swabs in the to upper wisdom teeth they pulled out afterwards i rinse my mouth of with water and mouth wash my mouth fill fine and i haven’t taking the pain killers since 16 hours after the removal do you think I’m at risk of getting dry sockets?? my gums still look pretty pink and oh yea my name is Jaquan btw any advice would be awesome.
Jaquan, smoking doesn’t automatically lead to dry socket, it just increases the risks. But if you try not to smoke for the rest of the 72 hours, the risk will be much lower.
Good afternoon Dr. Youssef.
First of all, I think is awesome that you try to help people without any monetary gain, that speaks a lot about your integrity as a human been and about the oat you took.
Now, I had my lower molar removed last Friday august 31st., I haven’t smoked until today, Friday September 7th., do you think I’m still at risk to get dry socket? I was told by my sister,who works at a dentist office in Mexico,to wait at least 1 week to be on the safe side,what is you opinion?
The hole seem to be healing normally is pink in the middle and kind of dark pink on the sides,no pain,no bleeding,and after i smoked today i rinse gently with water,do you think I’m out of the woods about infection and dry socket?
Thank you and keep up the great job!!!
Edgar, I should thank you warmly for your kind words, they encourage me to pursue my dental blog and help other people 🙂
I think that after 7 days, your chances of getting dry socket are almost none, and I am comfortable in telling you that it is ok to smoke. Your sister gave you great advice! Rinsing with salted water can still help in the healing, as the whole healing process takes about 3 months.
Thank you very much,I feel much better now,keep up the good work and if you ever think of doing your blog in spanish,count me in to help you to translate,just let me know. And thanks again.
Thank you very much Edgar.
I also have a Facebook Page if you would like to take a look: https://www.facebook.com/studiodentaire
hello, my names josh, i had my tooth pulled today at 1030am since having it pulled (been 9 hours) ive smoke cigs and drank threw a straw (soda) and ate solid food (burgers) and im fine, just hope it dont put me in pain later, i didnt realize u werent suppose to do that stuff lol (smoke/eat/drink)
No Josh, you are not supposed too, you go lucky!
Doctor? Hello,
First and foremost i would like to thank you gor helping everyone im regards to our teeth. I had a tooth extracted Tuesday around noon; but my gum stopped bleeding after 2-3 hours. I too smoke at times cigars and am wondering when its safe for me to partake in smoking again? Also when is safe to eat as the normal solid food i eat? The dentist provided me with a paper but i assume everyones healing rate is different in regard to how the speed of recovery.
Drew, I must thank you for your kind words and encouragement 🙂
For cigars, I recommend to also wait 72 hours before you smoke one. As for food, I recommend to eat soft meals, not too hot nor too cold for the first 24 hours, then start eating normal food as it can be comfortable for you. All depends of how complicated your extraction was too.
I had a bottom lower left molar extracted yesterday. My dentist’s instructions were to wait until today before I could smoke again. (only a day) I have been reading your post and most of replies and most of the people have been told to wait longer than that. I don’t know what to do. (I don’t know if it makes any difference or not , but I noticed the dentist seemed really pleased that it was such a quick and easy extraction.) I know how many hours you recommend, but why would he only recommend a day? Would there be any dental physical reasoning medical behind that? Thank you for any advice you could give me . I appreciate it.
Anne, dry socket is a complication that can occur after dental extraction, and one of the causes is smoking. Dry socket happens between 3 and 5 days after the extraction and that is one of the reasons we recommend to wait 3 days before smoking.
Hello Doctor. I found this site really help full and firstly i want to congratulate you for actually helping people without any gain for yourself, that alone shows how professional u are.
I had my top right wisdom tooth removed 4 days ago. i had that white film over it but its gone today that i have checked. i am also a smoker and even though i know that bad for my health i do not smoke alot. i havent smoked since my extraction that was 4 days ago. is it safe to smoke now? i really feel i want a smoke. Also is it ok that the white “film” has gone? Also yesterday i sneezed really hard (3rd day after extraction) and i had some blood in my spit afterwards just for a moment or two, is that ok? is that a probable Dry Socket cause?
Thanks alot in advance.
James, after four days it is safe to smoke, unless your dentist advised otherwise. Sneezing doesn’t help for dry socket, but I really don’t think one time causes a dry socket. It is normal to have a bit of blood in your mouth after three days.
If you are really afraid of dry socket, the signs are intense pain and difficulty of opening the mouth. You haven’t described any of those therefore I think you are safe.
One more thing James, I really thank you for your encouraging comment, it is very much appreciated 🙂
Hello anto youssef
I don’t know if you can help me, but since having root canal done nearly 2 months ago I have had none stop problems due to a piece if bone being left in there, I however dont know if this can happen but I was in a lot of pain and was rushed to emergency dentist, however then was told I had an infection but is it rite that Wen you have a tooth out or a root canal are they ment to prescribe antibiotics just incase you get an Infection, if this is true then I’m afraid this is why I have been in so much pain and would just like to get advise
Chloe, a tooth infection can cause lots of pain and you need to take antibiotics to reduce the infection before doing any treatment. Now if your tooth needs a root canal or an extraction, your dentist who took the x-ray can advise you on that better than me.
If you are taking antibiotics the pain should be reduced in a few days.
Thanks a lot for the information Dr. it was really reassuring. No i dont have intense pain only the normal post extraction discomfort so i guess i am safe. I really appreciate your response and interest. Keep up the great work, i really think what you are doing is great. 🙂
Thank you James 🙂
I went in for a root canal Friday morning, and during the root canal, most of the top part of the tooth broke off so I had to have it pulled at 8 am. It seems to be healing, there is a layer of white over the clot, is this normal? I am also wondering when can I start to eat regular food again? I also smoke marijuana for medical reasons, I am wondering when can I smoke again? It has been 52 hours so far. Thank you.
Donald, it would be safer if you wait 72 hours.
Thank you, so everything is normal? And I should be able to eat and smoke after 72 hours?
Yes it seems like it’s healing well. Dry socket occurs between 3 and 5 days after an extraction, but you would have felt an intense pain with difficulty of opening your mouth.
so i had my #16 (upper left molar) pulled wednesday at 9 am. not a difficult procedure, everything went fine. i stopped bleeding by 2pm on wednesday. today is saturday at noon. its been roughly 75 hours since the tooth was pulled. you think im okay to smoke a cigarette by now?
Thanks!
Yes Mister Dooley, it is safe now.
hello,
i have had all four of my wisdom teeth removed monday the 27th around 2pm. a huge majority of the swelling is gone and very minimal pain as occured throughout the healing process. my doctor and other people have told me to wait 2 weeks til i should try and smoke out of fear of getting dry sockets. do you think ill be able to smoke soon than 2 weeks post op?
Jroche, if your dentist recommended to wait two weeks, they I think you should follow that advice, because only your dentist knows the condition of your teeth when they were extracted.
Hi Doc, i had my upper molar extracted and smoked about 3 hours after only 1 ciggarette, i smoked the next day and i have a foul taste in my mouth i i just discovered that there is a small puss pimple on the jaw where the tooth was, what can i do to heal it? should i rinse with salt water
Yes rince with salted water gently, and don’t smoke again before the 72 hour period.
Does it matter whether the gums were stitched after or not? Or is it still 72 hours either way?
Leor, yes 72 hours is an average for all types of surgeries.
Hello Dr Youssef!
My name is Jordan and I had four wisdom teeth extracted around 36 hours ago. I have had very little pain, so I have only taken one dose of over-the-counter pain medication (Ibuprofen) once since the surgery. There isn’t much blood in my saliva – I hardly see blood at all! I am wondering, because of the lack of pain and limited blood in my saliva – is my mouth healing quickly? And would smoking one cigarette before it has been 48 hours greatly affect my chances of developing dry socket?
Thank you so much.
Regards, Jordan
Jordan, the less the surgery was complicated, the less there are risks of getting dry socket. But the risks are still there and I recommend not to smoke for 72 hours.
By the way your politeness is refreshing! Thank you 🙂
Anto
Can I smoke hooka? If no is the answer, then how long should i wait?
Rick, same thing applies, 72 hours.
hello doc..i had 4 teeth pulled out..one was an incersion on my upper jaw next to the nasal area and 2 were on the left molar region and one was the right molar..its been 24 hours since i smoked..when can i actually smoke i have 16 stitches in my mouth right now
Kiddy, if you don’t want to take any risks, you have to wait 72 hours after the time the surgery was done.
Is it ok for a smoker to smoke if they were to put gauze in over the spots and after rinse with salt water?
Scarlet, no, if you do that, you still encounter risks of dry socket.
Is it ok for me to smoke 72 hours after top wisdom tooth extraction. The dentist took only 3 minutes to actually remove the tooth after numbing and it was Thursday at 12:30 pm. Can I smoke today?
Yes it’s been 3 days so you can 🙂
Its ok even if the socket is not stitched up after the 72 hours?
Hello Dr Youssef ( I hope I spelled that right) I had one of my molars taken out on thursday at 330 and the dentist said after 24 hrs it was ok to smoke, so i have, should i stop for the remaining 15 hrs? also is it normal to feel sick on the stomach this long after the extraction? and one last thing is there such a thing as rinsing too much with warm salt water? i have done so after every cig.
Melissa, yes you spelled it right 🙂
Dentists can have different opinions about how long you should wait to smoke. Mine can be different from your dentist. I recommend to wait 72 hours before smoking because of the readings I made and personal experience.
Are you taking antibiotics or pain killers? They can have side effects like nausea, that’s why you might feel sick in the stomach.
And for rinsing with salted water, I recommend to do it only after you eat something, not too much, go gently, and not for the first 24 hours.
Thank you for your advice. i appreciate you taking time to answer my question. I’m only taking over the counter pain meds but your most likely right about it upsetting my stomach. Thanks again have a great day.
You too Melissa!
Hi Doc, I had my lower back molar extracted on thursday 2pm, it’s now sunday so it’s been 62 hours, but now the smaller tooth next to the extracted site is feeling loose to me, i can feel it when i touch it with my tongue, what should i do? it’s not about to fall out or anything, but i’m scared if i let it go on it will start to hurt, also can i have a smoke now?
About your loose tooth, I recommend to have it checked by your dentist next time you go there. All teeth are loose to some degree, but if it’s very loose, it needs to be checked.
I had a tooth extracted on the 23rd at 8:30 in the morning. Actually, it wasn’t a whole tooth. It was a tooth that broke & he said there were still 3 roots in there & i needed to get them out, so he did an extraction. It’s now Saturday morning, & i was wondering if it was safe for me to start smoking again. I know the recommended time is 48-72 hours, but I’m paranoid about getting dry socket.
Lauren, I recommend you to wait one more day, because when only roots are removed, they leave behind an empty socket and it’s like a regular extraction.
Dear Doctor,
I see you are saying that it is safe to smoke after 72 hours of a tooth extraction. But you did not clarify is it safe to smoke normally like how I always used to or perhaps 2-3 sticks a day only?
Also, when can i eat solid food on the side of the extraction?
Mine was a fully erupted wisdom tooth taken out about 12 hours ago.
Thanks.
Barry, I don’t understand what you mean. But when I recommend not to smoke for 72 hours, it is not to smoke at all.
You can start eating solid foods after 24 hours when feeling comfortable.
Thanks for your reply sir!
I mean that is it ok to smoke like 5-6 sticks a day after the 72 hour mark?
If a stick means a cigarette, then yes you can.
I had my impacted wisdom teeth taken out on Monday and it is now Thursday and I just stupidly smoked a cigarette. They have stitches in them and i smoked very lightly but now I am scared because of the chance of dry socket. I rinsed gently with salt water immediately afterwards as well. Is there anything I can do to prevent the dry socket from happening?
You smoked 3 days after so I think you will be fine.
Hi doc,
I had 1 wisdom and 1 molar ( both lower 1 on Right side ) removed on Wednesday. After that it was quite normal- bleeding stopped in 1 hr, no pain as such, no swelling and its been arnd 86 hrs…today few mins back , after a long wait, i dragged two puffs from cigg….that too with wet gauze….and had 20 ml of alcohol with water…… i haven’t taken any pain medication since my course of antibiotics of 3 days post extraction got over…..When i saw the extraction site after that, there is no such opening and its covered although bit whiteness covering seems there….I am bit scared about the pain i am receiving rite now…its not exactly severe but kind of mild radiating pain in my head ( non continues ) and a very heavy feeling in my jaw.
Additionally if i relate to any injury recently, like i got around 4 stitches on my hand and wound approximately healed after 15 days properly. Can i relate this anywhere to healing time.
Also , i have been a heavy smoker before extraction.
Kindly suggest me why i am facing all this and what should be my precautions for next few days in smoking, rinsing, drinking etc or Am i getting the dry socket.
Kindly help
Jatin,
Maybe your wisdom tooth was very impacted. If you are having dry socket, the pain would increase a lot and you would have difficulty of opening your mouth wide. Do you have pain medication just in case? If you can try to not smoke for a couple more days it might also help.
Thanks for your suggestion.
I do have pain medication which i stopped yesterday as 3 days of course of antibiotic and painkiller got over.
Today i am not having any severe pain and yesterday pain didn’t increase at all while i still feel pain sometimes fr a fraction of second and it goes back. . Also, i don’t find any difficulty in opening my mouth wide.
My question to you is
1. If my sockets are completely packed , can i still get a dry socket. I do have stitches as well in extraction site.
2. During extraction my dentist told me he had to remove a minute fraction of bone and it was impacted tooth.
3. How long more it will take for me to heal in my case so that i can enjoy food , smoke and drink. When exactly i can be sure.
Thanks for your help and Awesome forum 🙂
Jatin,
The total process of healing takes about 3 months, but you won’t feel discomfort all that time. And yes, removing bone when extracting impacted teeth can higher risks of dry socket, but dentists have no choice, they are to remove a bit of bone for access. If you are feeling less pain day by day, that is a good sign as dry socket is really very intense pain.
hi my name is conley and i just had my front tooth pulled on thusday it was craked so i got it tooken out wen can i start smokeing with out gozzzz
Conley, you can’t smoke at all, with or without gauze, for 72 hours.
Hi, I had my root extracted (tooth #5). i had to wear my flipper right away to create the clot accordign to the dentist. He said i may not need a bone graft if i keep the flipper on. Is that true?
Secondly, he asked me not to smoke for a while, i am assuming thats because i have an open wound, however it is covered with the flipper
Bone graft, you mean you are thinking of placing dental implants?
I recommend not to smoke for 3 days even if you have the flipper on.
Doc,
Just got 4 wisdom teeth removed on Monday at 1pm. Was wondering how long I should wait to smoke again.
Ken, if you can wait until tomorrow (Thursday), it would be better.
hold in to at least a week to be safe i smoke in my third day and i had a dry socket is very painful you will wish you would wait a week
Rafael, thank you for sharing your experience and advice, although I’m sorry you had to go through that pain.
Doc,
it seems i finally got over the dry socket, now it’s pretty a big hole with a gummy bottom, so my questions is can i start dipping tobacco now? i had them taken out on the 26 jul and it’s now 08 AUG 2012
So i had my two lower wisdom extracted and come to find out i had a dry socket
Dipping tobacco has so many bad outcomes, including oral cancer, that’s it’s hard for me as a professional to say that it’s ok.
I had 26 teeth pulled 4 days ago an got immediate dentures put in when can i smoke
Jojo, after 3 days it is fine.
Hey Doc , its been 6 days since i had all 4 wisdom removed how long does it take for the dissovable stitches to come out? Can i eat solid food yet ? and what about training excercise can i resume excercising after 10 days?
also can i drink coke ? or fanta soft drinks and stuff?
Yes but you know that Sugar + Acid is the worse thing for your teeth!
Ayteee, oh yes you can eat normally and exercise too.
Are you sure cuz im really scared of getting a dry socket! Most dentist say wait 2 weeks
Jojo, if your dentist said 2 weeks, he or she is the one to listen to because they know how difficult the surgery was and they can give an estimate of the healing.
I had an upper back molar taken out 5 days ago, I have been smoking but taking baby puffs so im not sucking in really hard, I am worried about dry socket! like everyone else!! when can i smoke regulary and not be worried about getting a dry socket. im tired of being so careful. I called my dentist and he said ” 2 weeks to suck out of a straw and never for smoking! ” then he laughed . But i didnt think it was funny. so no real answer from my dentist. No pain or swelling well a little pain but not like right after extraction.
Usually it’s 3 days, but if your dentist recommended 2 weeks, maybe it was a very complicated surgery. 3 days is a general rule, but I would follow your dentist’s recommendations, even if he has a strange sense of humour 🙂
Why do you recommend 72 hours? what makes that time ok? also if stitches are in place and slight residual bleeding is it still ok to smoke? do stitches make you less likely to get dry socket? Also is it normal to still bleed slightly (five days tmro at 9ish/ one tooth lower right wisdom, no impaction)? lastly i feel like my pain has increased slightly to a dull throb could it be im getting used to the pain killers or should i worry? i dont have a dentist i had the extraction done at a clinic 3 1/2 hours away (just moved) so i cant get it checked or ask anyone these questions. thank you doctor and sorry for so many questions, dont feel obligated to answer them all.
Colby, the 72 hours follow statistics, that’s why we recommend that way. You are right, stitches well done decrease the chances of getting dry socket. Although new pain coming days after is not normal. If it is actually dry socket and you are hours away from a dentist, it will go away eventually, but you will need pain killers. Of course the best way is to have it checked by a dentist.
Hey doc
Had all 4 wisdom teeth out yesterday at (1:30pm) I’ve been online all morning researching smoking post wisdom tooth extraction and other Dr’s as well as patients suggest blocking the gums that were opperated on with a wet piece of gauss and then after your smoke you are to rinse you’re mouth with warm water, how does this sound? I don’t know wether to believe it or not
Spencer, me and my colleagues don’t recommend rinsing with salted water the first 24 hours in order not to dislodge the blood clot. And for smoking with gauze, it has not been document that it actually lowers risks of dry socket. I must again recommend not to smoke for 72 hours.
i had my 2 wisdom teeth removed 6 days ago ,both on the right side…
and now there is no visible holes!!:S its like they have been covered in a new layer of gum already ??
is this normal?? or have they healed really fast?
would it be ok to smoke now??
Sometimes when the teeth were impacted, the stitches close up the gums pretty well and very fast. And yes Dawn it is ok to smoke after 6 days.
i had 6 wisdom teeth removed and i smoked a cig 20 minutes after the sergury and didnt have any side effects, im sure youll be fine
Hey Doc! I had all four of my wisdom teeth taken out and I was wondering when can I have a smoke again I have waited one whole week my surgery was Preety straight foward quick and clean It only took 20 mins and there was minor swelling and no bruising. But I’ve noticed there is some white stringy stuff on the top of my left bottom spot where one tooth was, it looks like food I was just interested in do you know what it is?
Theo, looks like your surgery went very well! If it was a week ago then smoking now is ok.
About the white stuff it might be food or plaque. You can rinse with salted water. Put in mind that complete healing takes around 3 months.
I thought it might of been some food aswell but after I rinsed more of it was visible, so I’m not sure what it Is if it is food or if just some stitches build up
Theo it might also be healing gum, blood clot, or stitches like you said.
Dont worry doc it fell out this afternoon so no stress thanks for the help and advice
Cool Theo!
Sorry one more question I had a mint and I chewed it in and I washed my gums with warm Salt water and now there is a peice of white in the gum where there was a hole now there is a white lump I’m not sure if its a bone or a mint I tried hard to push it out with water and now I don’t know what to do if it’s mint or bone im concerned about an infection but all other wounds have healed I don’t know what to do.
Theo rinsing lightly with salted water should help. If it doesn’t go away in a few days, maybe you can go see your dentist to check it.
Hey dr I had all 4 of my wisdom tooth taken out a week ago plus 1 extra tooth (so stitches along upper gum a bit an roof of mouth) I was wondering if it’s good if I smoke now…I’ve taken good care of them so far and there haven’t been any complications so far if anything, would 10 days be enough time? Thanks!
Yes Jake, usually 3 days is enough.
doc- i had very impacted wisdom teeth, all 4. so impacted the oral surgeon said there was a chance he could break my jaw ( he did not thank jesus) i stopped bleeding after the first day, but i can definately tell that the back of my mouth is still chewed up.. my cheeks are still slightly swollen and my doctor said my mouth is still healing. i had them surgically removed and i am curious if i can smoke again. my surgery was on the 18th it had been 6 days and 4 hours since the extraction. what are my risks of getting dry socket? he told me 2 weeks ifbefore smoking if i
Casey if your dentist advised you not to smoke for 2 weeks, it means that the surgery was very complicated and he or she wants to make sure the healing is done right. After 6 days there are much less chances for dry socket to occur. But if you can hold off for the whole 2 weeks without smoking, it would be even better for you. There must be a good reason why your dentist advised you so.
Hey Doc,
I had all four of my wisdom teeth removed on July 12. It’s now July 21 and honestly, I’m DYING to smoke. Seriously. Between the annoying pains (subtle, not severe) and the ridiculous “soft food diet, I’m turning into a moody bitch. And worst of all my girlfriend keeps getting an earful of it. Like I said, it has been almost a week and a half. Can this man have himself a f&*#@%$ smoke?
Ryan, after 3 days it is safe, yes.
the doctor told me not to smoke before 48 hours. is that eought time? i only had one tooth pulled.
If you can wait 72 hours it is even better.
tirei dois dentes pre molares e depois d 5 horas fumei . isso pode causar alguma coisa ?
Amos, Se você fuma depois de 5 horas, você aumenta os riscos de complicações. Tente não fumar por 72 horas. (I used Google Translate)
Perfect Portuguese! 😛 Just made it trough 72 hours but the tooth looks filled with some dark filling and pink gum around it, but no pain. Is it normal?
Yes, I suggest to continue rinsing with salted water.
And thank you for complimenting my googly translated Portuguese 🙂
So I had an upper tooth extracted Monday at 11am. And no one warned me about the after care procedure would be like. The tooth taken out wasn’t much…it once had a root canal done on it and because they never could cap it, my poor tooth died and just fell apart but had not given me any pain or trouble for a long time. The actual removal procedure was quick and easy, but my dentist didn’t really tell me much on what to do with the aftercare other than a soft food diet for 24 hours and don’t use a straw. So I got home, and did a little googling and behold! I discovered dry socket and have been paranoid every since of having this happen. I am a smoker, so when.I discovered that I would have to put my habit on hold for awhile I was not too happy. There is a reason I haven’t quit yet – I turn into a crazy irritable bitch monster when I try. I’ve had a couple of smokes after the initial 24 hours using the whole wet gauze trick. I have absolutely no pain in the area, just a sore jaw every once in awhile. And I realize you keep saying wait 72 hours before smoking… My question is: are you sure?? Do I risk getting dry socket after these 72 hours at all? Because I recall the horrible pain I was in when this tooth first needed a root canal and I would rather go through the labor of my child again than feel that pain again. But all I want to do is to be able to smoke a cigarette the normal way. Am I really out of dry socket danger zone?
Macaroni, am I sure? Yes I am sure. If you smoke after 72 hours the risks of getting dry socket are almost nil.
Hey doc, I had a lower tooth on my right side pulled yesterday at 11 am can I smoke tmr at 11 am?
Rich, if you smoke before the 72 hour gap you have higher risks of dry socket.
Hey doc,
I had some extensive work done on Friday, June 29th. 4 extractions, 3 crowns, and a root canal. My dentist, prior to this procedure, informed me that I’d need pain meds (ibuprofen 800, vicodin, etc etc) at the ready after the procedure. It’s been almost 3 days, and I have had absolutely no pain whatsoever – aside from the slight discomfort of the stay plate. I had 7, 8, 9, and 10 removed, and currently have a stay plate until the gums heal up for implants (I’m assuming. They said I had to wait a little while before getting them). How normal is this? Am I just a pain-free freak of nature? haha
Oh, and for everyone else – riptides are no joke. Be careful when you’re in the ocean, that’s how this happened to me. 😐
Also, I was a smoker since 18 (27 now) and after this procedure decided to just quit completely.
Ivan, thank you for sharing your experience with all the readers! I am very happy that you stopped smoking 🙂
Hey Doc,
Had my #12 tooth extracted yesterday, and a single tooth Nesbit put in immediately. How soon can I smoke a cigarette?
Wait 72 hours!
I just had 4 teeth pulled today at about 10 maybe 1030 and I passed out and ever since then iv had bad nausea is this common or should I call my doctor about this?
Call your doctor, it is not so common that you pass out. Unless you are taking very heavy pain killers.
i extracted my tooth almost 12 hours ago…i honestly cant wait longer am getteing more moody by the hour.. i want to smoke
😦
I had some 3 wisdom teeth taken out a little over 12 hours ago. If I leave the gauze in am I ok to smoke? They are wet (obviously) and cover the sockets so no smoke would touch the wounds. Also what about the use of a vaporizer?
Ismael, smoking with gaze is not proved to reduce risks of dry socket. I wouldn’t try it.
Doc, I love to work in Percentages.
EG: What percent chance will this happen what percent chance will that happen. Ya know what I mean.
So my question is..
If I smoke 10 cigs a day after my tooth extraction what % chance is it that I will get a dry socket?
Thanks Doc
Delboy, I don’t know the the percentage is very high!
Hey
I got my upper left wisdom tooth pulled on Monday, June 4th at 12:30pm, it is now Thursday, June 7th 9:47am, When can i start eating normal food again like pizza and Hamburgers? Also when can i smoke a cigarette? Ive been thinking about quitting but Its difficult when everyone around me does it. Thank you!
Corina, you can eat pizza and hamburgers. If you want to quit, maybe try to avoid for a while all those people around that smoke (just a thought)
I had tooth number 2 pulled on Thursday. Now my hole has a whiteish yellow ugly thing on it. I have no pain besides slight ache. Also have white spots on my gums and red spots on the roof of my mouth. And i have noticed that it sometimes tastes bad… Am I being paranoid or is this normal? I do sometimes over analyze things.
Lucy it does look normal. If it’s still there after two weeks then consult your dentist.
Hi Dr. I had my front lower left tooth extracted yesterday, said to be simple but broke most of tooth ajacent getting it out. kept putting gause in 1st 2 hrs. then wet quase or tea bag wedged in socket hard when i smoked. soup and small peice of carrot cake (chewed on other side) 5 hrs later. the had cig with tea bag. alittle redness of blood on teabag. the dark red dried blood not as obvious. woke up this morn much pain adjasent tooth. cpain med helped, chompted down on wet gauze 12 hrs later, now, had cig, removed,gauze and appears a gewy string of skin or clot flopping out but its not red. appears it wend up coming out. what could this be? hoping not the clot due to the socket appears not deep red dried blood anymore but light gum colored and this stringy thing is dangling out of socket??what do i do
Paul, I don’t think you should panic, but see your dentist if you are worried.
Hi, I had one of my back teeth extracted Thursday May 24, it’s know Sunday May 27.. how much longer should I wait before drinking out of a straw and SMOKING?! I don’t want to risk a dry socket, but my hole where the tooth was looks like it’s healing well… I think at least lol..
Jacalyn, it has been 3 days so you are okay.
hey doc its been 16 days since i got all 4 of my wisdom teeth out. would it be okay to smoke a cig now ? im scared of getting dry sockets!!
16 days! Wow Leo you are good! 3 days is enough. But if you stopped for 16 days, why start again?
Yeah, definitely. Just quit man. You’re already good. I had 4 extractions on Friday the 29th, cigarettes taste like shit now. 😐
Hey doc,
I got two wisdom teeth on my left side removed on Monday at 4pm. It is now Wednesday 730pm. Would it be ok to smoke? And what are the chances of a dry socket if I did?
Josh, yes after 48 hours it is ok. If you wait one more day it will be even more safe.
Hi doc, I had my tooth pulled yesterday #30, at 11 am. It’s currently been 24 hours, I realize 48 – 72 hours is prefered before smoking. The wound hasnt bled in about 18 hours. The “tobacco” I smoke is very potent and one or two hits would be awesome. Is the chance of gettin dry socket, tied to how much you smoke, meaning my 1 or 2 puffs would be less risk then someone who smokes a whole ciggerette which is prolly 10-20 puffs. Or is one puff as bad as twenty. Thanks for your info and what your doing here to help people is pretty awesome.
Jeremy, yes the more you smoke the more risks you encounter. Therefore 1-2 puffs are less risky than 20.
My tooth extraction started bleeding today after sneezing and coughing . Its now been 6 days since I had it pulled does that mean Im gonna get a dry socket ???
No it doesn’t mean that. But if you are a smoker, try not to smoke for a few more days.
Hey doc, im just wondering how do i know what im looking at for the clot? and what are the signs of dry socket? i had my tooth pulled 12 hours ago and just smoked half a cig and now im paranoid
Try not to smoke Josh, but signs of dry socket are intense pain, difficulty of opening the mouth and bad smell in your mouth.
Hey doc,
It’s been exactly 7 days since I’ve gotten all 4 wisdom teeth removed. Is it OK to smoke ? I understand it’s been more than 72 hours so i should be fine but i just would like to know how severe the risks are. Plus 2 weeks from now I’m getting nose surgery so would it be OK to still smoke only 1 time 2 weeks prior to it? thanks please let me know!!!
Dan, about your nose surgery, it is best to ask your physician about the risks. But if we only consider wisdom teeth, 7 days after surgery is ok.
Hey Doc, What about weed? can i smoke that? upper and lower right wisdom removed at 8:30am est. 5/16/2012.. Also, would taking a puff ir two from a cig really hurt anything? what if i use my nose? You may think im crazy but i havent seen anyone ask these questions so you need to drop some knowledge! Thanks cuz
Thatdude, I guess if you use your nose you will be fine.
Hello Doc,
I had all my teeth pulled out on, 5/10/2012, Thursday morning around 11:00 and a mouth full stitches.
How long before I can smoke?
Also I have my new dentures, how long should I wait before I put them in?
Dentures should be worn right at the end of the appointment of your extractions. You can smoke tomorrow.
Hello Dr, Anto Youssef,
It’s me again,
5/10/2012 All teeth extracted
My top lip looks like it’s disappeared. Is that normal with new dentures?
My face is still swollen.
Also, Can i drink a coke cola? I have been drinking water only.
Thanks a bunch for all your advice.
Kentucky Lady With New Dentures.
Your top lip disappeared? Maybe it’s the way the dentures are made? I advise to talk about it to your dentist.
Yes drinking coka cola is fine 🙂
Your face might still be a bit swollen after one week because multiple extractions were done.
i have a question this is my fourth day with out a cigarette ummm do u think that i can smoke again just curious……
It is beyond 72 hours, therefore the answer is yes. But if you can go longer without smoking, why not!
Hey Doc, I have a quick question. I got all 4 wisdom teeth removed a little over 72 hours ago. Is it safe to dip now? Only one was impacted and no stitches were required. Thanks!
John, yes it is safe, although tobacco chewing is one of the leading causes of oral cancers.
Hello, I had #18 and #19 extracted on Wednesday (9th) at 8:30am, it is now Friday and about 1pm. Is it safe for me to smoke now? If I did smoke now, would it be better to use wet gauze like some have said on here? I had to ask because I am between that 48-72hr timeline. Any answers would be appreciated. Thank you very much.
If you can wait 72 hours it is better. There’s no scientific proof that using gauze helps.
Hey Doc,
I just had an extraction on a middle tooth at 4:00pm, I havent had anything to eat at all… Im scared to eat, I tired eating noodles, but every time I open my mouth to take a bite the gauzes would lift up. Im nervous the food will go under my gauzes! So my question to you is, can u give me some advice on how to eat, far as the chewing and entering food into my mouth? Also, do I eat with or without the gauzes?
Marketa, eat without gauze or you might accidentally swallow them. I recommend to eat soft foods (soup or shake) for the first 24 hours, and then slowly eat more consistent food.
I had an upper molar pulled Tuesday at 2 pm, its now Thursday 4 pm. I have smoked some but with wet gauze over it and no real sucking motion. I am terrified of getting dry socket now because I live in the middle of no where and my dentist is gone tomorrow and all weekend. What are the chances of dry socket developing? The pain is not too bad now, I can control it with motrin and other then when I first wake up I don’t notice the pain. I really want to smoke! Is it less likely to develop dry socket with an upper extraction? I have been rinsing with salt water like the dentist said to, and really not eating much. Should I still be worried about getting a dry socket?
Megan try not to smoke so you don’t get dry socket.
If you do get one though, and there are no dentists around, the pain will be intense but it will eventually wear out. Do you have pain medication at your place?
I hope all will be ok, you might not experience dry socket at all.
Hi doc, had my bottom left wisdom tooth extracted Friday morning (it was impacted) it is now late Tuesday night I was wondering if I can smoke but my stitches are still in there and my dentist never made a follow up app. With me so plse help! 🙂 thnx
Yoshi, it’s been more than 3 days therefore you could. If your stitches are resorbable then they will fall out by themselves.
Hey I got 3 wisdom teeth removed Friday may 4th
My lower left one was too deep into the bone so the doc said u need oral surgery or u can leave it. He said it won’t bother you so I decided to leave it for now
My question is can I smoke now it’s been 72 hours I believe.
Yes you can Tony.
hey, i was wondering….i got a bottom molar extracted 24 hrs ago but they stitched it up… is it ok to smoke yet I’m dying for a cig…?
No, stitches or not, if you wait 72 hours it would be safer.
alrite thanx doc.
hey doc srry to bother you , but i have 1 more ?
its been 72 hours now since my extraction is it ok for me to smoke now and
is it normal for the clot to keep getting smaller?
Tanner, yes it will get smaller a bit, and food might get stuck in the socket. What you can do is rince with salted water after each meal, but please do it gently.
I got my wisdom teeth tooken out yesterday St 7am when will it be ok to smoke??
Krystal, 48 to 72 hours after.
Doctor,
I got my wisdom teeth out and a left lower molar root canal done at the same time, Monday 4/30/12 and it is now Friday 5/4/12. I haven’t smoked, don’t have much pain at all, swelling on one side is pretty much all the way gone and on the other its just a slight swell. For the most part I feel comofortable. I really need a smoke after 5 days, and I see here you said 48/72 is good, so I shouldn’t have issues, correct?
Also, I have a numbness on the left side of my lower lip and chin, I researched and I also see that it says this could be permanent. What do you think about this?
Thank you very much, Mark.
Mark,
It has been 72 hours so it’s safe to smoke now. But if you were able not to smoke for 5 days, why not stop permanently? I know it’s easier said than done, but just suggesting an idea.
about your numbness, it’s called paresthesia. Most of the time it’s temporary, and it lasts a few weeks or months. It happens after wisdom teeth extraction. Rarely it is permanent. I suggest you tell your dentist about it right away.
Thank you for the suggestion and that’s the plan, Doc! Also, I did contact the doctor, and they said it’s “common” and as you said, should go away in a matter of weeks/months. By the way, is there anything I can do to speed the parethesia up? Thanks.
Mark, there has been scientific studies show that taking corticosteroid medication can make the paresthesia go away more quickly, but it doesn’t work with everybody.
hi doc I had my wisdom tooth removed last thusday may 3rd, i’ve smoked tow cigarettes since then, it’s the risk to get a dry socket still high? when i could start smoking again? sorry but my dentist never mention about cigarettes and dry socket’s problems
thx Teo
Hi Teo,
The more you smoke, the more the risk. I suggest to try not to smoke until you complete 72 hours.
Hello. I had teeth 30 & 31 extracted on May 1st around 3pm. Unfortunately I’m a heavy smoker & couldn’t wait to start smoking again. I used the wet gauze trick & puffed lightly. When I put the gauze in it comes out slightly pink & it’s now May 3rd is a little blood normal? Also when I touch the site lightly with my tongue it feels like jelly & starting today when I look in my mouth it’s kinda whitish color over the clots is this normal healing? thanks for all the great advice on this forum. I’m thinking I’m ok as far as dry socket although I guess I won’t be sure till day 5 as you’ve said. I have no real pain at the sites the pain is in my cheek where it’s still swollen.
Kris, I am sure you will be fine. But please try not to smoke yet.
I play alot of Sports but professionsly 3 times a week I participate in a hockey mens league which involves contact . When is it okay for such activities to take place ?
Mike wait 3 days before doing any sports. And please wear protection if lots of contacts.
Hello!I had my top right wisdom tooth removed on tues may 1 st at 4 pm….for 24 hours i barely ate and did not smoke one cigg…after that ive had two ciggs while I’ve had gauze in…my question is when can I have a cigg and eat normal without worrying…I’m so worried im gonna wake up in pain from a dry socket but I’m dying to smoke and eat!
Erica, 48 to 72 hours.
Dr anto youssef
Hello there I had my upper two roots pulled out today, my dentist did not tell me Wat a glaze or Wat it was for, thanks
Also is It safe to eat soup as so hungry.
Chloe, I am not sure what is a glaze? But yes you can eat soup.
HI there dr… OMG I need smoke and been stressful for me 2 days from now …. I went to dental on tues may 1 10:45am remove 2 upper tooths.. is ok to smoke on thur may 4 th ? thanks
May 4th would be 3 days later so it would be ok.
Thank u ! 🙂
Thank U 🙂
Hey doc it’s been 5 days and approximately 120 hours since my wisdom tooth extraction is still possible for me to get a dry socket . I’m just very paranoid to return my normal routines of eating pizza burgers drinking milkshakes etc and smoking ?
And also is it common to still feel some sort of discomfort here and there . I feel when I drink coffee it feels a little weird . Why is this ? Thanks
Dave yes it’s normal. Full recovery takes 3 months. But the discomfort you are feeling should go after a week or two.
After 5 days, the risk of getting dry socket are slim.
Thanks for the information . Sorry to bother you again but yesterday the knot of which my dissolvable stitches tended to come out and about 2 stitches after I rinsed with warm water and salt and I made sure i did soft rinses . I’m scared Now as this might affect my healing or result in a dry socket
Dave, if they are dissolvable stitches, it is normal.
Hi there. I got an upper molar way in the back pulled monday morning. I’ve been smoking lightly since with gauze in (stupid I know) but with my anxiety I can’t help it. It’s been 48hrs now. My clot is still there redish/grayish covering entire socket, sound normal? Im still sore and a little swollen. My question is if I haven’t gotten dry socket yet is my chances of getting it slim? And is the risk gone after tommorow? Thanks in advance
Lisa, yes after 48 hours chances of getting dry socket are low if you didn’t smoke. And after 72 hours they will be even lower 🙂
DOC IF I KEEP GAUZE ON THE HOLE DO YOU I STILL RUN AS HIGH A RISK FOR DRY SOCKET IF I SMOKE
The risk is still there yes.
I just got my wisdom tooth removed and I am still bleeding. It has been 3-4 hours. When would it be all right to drink and eat?
I suggest you have light dinner with soft foods that are not too warm nor too cold. For the bleeding, it is normal sometimes to bleed longer. You can use a wet tea bag on the extraction site, close your mouth on it to make pressure.
Thanks! It had been better. Every time I drink water it seems to bleed a bit. I should brush carefully thought should I? And one last thing, when would be okay to start drinking alcohol? I can imagine it sting!!!!
You can drink alcohol as long as you are not taking antibiotics or pain medication that don’t allow you to.
Hey.
I had a back lower left molar removed on thursday morning, my blood clot had formed by 12 hours.
It’s now past 72 hours and my clot has sunk into the socket, I’m not sure if that is normal or not?
I am a smoker but I haven’t touched any since before the extraction, would it be okay to smoke now? I really don’t want dry socket, I’ve taken every precaution to make sure everything goes properly.
Adam, it is safe now.
my clot does seem to be getting smaller though, is it normal?
Yes as long as it doesn’t disappear. If by the fifth day you don’t get dry socket, it is very rare that you will after.
the fifth day is tomorrow, so I’ll keep you posted
Good. I am sure all will go well.
Hi!
I had two teeth extracted Monday. One was a baby tooth that never fell out (no adult tooth under).
Today is Friday and I had two cigarettes. I’m trying hard to smoke slowly without a lot of suction. Is it safe?
I also noticed one of my clots is starting to sink into into the hole. Is this normal?
Sorry for all the questions but i have one more because I’m honestly curious. Can baby teeth even get dry sockets?
Thanks!
Liz,
If the extraction was done Monday, and today we are Friday, that is more than 3 days safety so it is OK to smoke and not get dry socket. The hole that is left following extraction will take weeks, up to 3 months to fill out normally, so what you are seeing is normal.
Can a baby tooth cause dry socket? It depends of how big the roots were and how big the socket is behind.
Hey doc . Quick question . I got my wisdom tooth pulled on 4/20/12 . Todaysvthe 27th.. is it okay for me to smoke?
Kasey, yes it is.
Hi doc I GOT MY TEETH PULLED AT MY UPPER MOUTH ON MAY 1 2012 WHEN WILL IT BE OKAY FOR ME TO SMOKE?
May 4th. Why are you typing with cap letters?
Hey Doc I got my top left wisdom tooth pulled yesterday at 1030 and I didn’t need stitches and I feel fine what is the chance of dry socket
Corey, the risk is higher for bottom wisdom teeth than upper wisdom teeth. But the risk is still there if you smoke.
Hello Doc, I am going to get my wisdom teeth out in a few days & I plan on smoking a cigarette directly after the surgery. After that I am going to drive home, get drunk as #@*%, and promptly, see what happens. I will be sure to let you know how this goes.
Hi dr. Quick question. I had my wisdom teeth pulled Tuesday at 2pm its Thursday 48 hours would be 2pm today. What’s the difference in smoking today right at 48 hours or waiting one more day. Why can’t it be one or the other?
Louis, you are right, a more precise answer would be more helpful for you and for everybody else. That answer would be more 72 hours, so if you can wait one more day, even better.
I had my left two wisdom teeth and top right wisdom tooth removed Monday April 23 how soon can I dip tobacco, I know about the 2-3 days for smoking but wandering if dipping was any different.
Josh, not sure of the correct answer, I would say 3 days as well. But please put in mind that chewing tobacco is one of the leading causes of oral cancers.
Hi doc. I recently had my wisdom teeth pulled(4/20) Friday morning. Although I know I wasn’t suppose to I smoked a cig Saturday afternoon and I smoked one Sunday afternoon. No pain yet, should I be worried about a dry socet later during the week?
Ebony, smoking does not automatically lead to dry socket, it just increases the risk. It has been 48 hours since the surgery. The risks are getting lower. But I strongly recommend not to smoke before tomorrow.
I’m so very scared that I will still get dry socket just from smoking too early. I don’t even see the blood clots any more. Should I go to my dentist tomorrow for a brief checkup. Will it be okay for me to smoke tomorrow without my gums getting infected. It also feels as if my teeth are sinking into the holes in my gums.
Ebony I think you will be fine 🙂
Sorry doc. One more question, my dentist have me 3 different prescriptions. I tried to fall asleep last night at 830, and wasn’t successful until 7am this morning. Should I go talk to my regular dentist or the surgeon whom gavel the meds??
Ebony, it is rare that pain medication causes insomnia. Maybe you can call your pharmacist and ask.
I had all 4 of my wisdom teeth removed on April 11 and I’m still experiencing some minor bleeding on my top right side. When I went to for a post op appointment on April 17, I was only having minor bleeding on the top left side. I have been rinsing with warm salt water as the dental assistant has told me and she gave a syringe pump for me to take home to help get any food particles out from the surgery holes. The bleeding is still ongoing and i feel as though when I clean it with the syringe, the wound is not closing because there’s always some blood being mixed with the water. Is this normal for it to bleeding this long still? I haven’t been sure if I should be able to smoke or not either because of bleeding, and I didn’t drink from a straw until Thursday, April 19 night also. Should I not drink from a straw or smoke until the bleeding has completely stopped?
Ana, bleeding can persist longer, although it is unlikely. Do you have a second post-op appointment with your dentist?
The holes might take a longer time to close as the healing process takes 3-4 months.
I do not have a second post op appointment. They just set me with that first appointment. I just bought a dental scaler, the mirror thing, to see how the top 2 wounds are and the left side is bleeding a bit more than the right side is.
If it doesn’t stop bleeding in a few days, I suggest you call your dentist.
Just got my #45 and #46 extracted 3 hours ago. I smoked about 3 cigarettes since then. Am I already at a high chance of having a dry socket? Since I read the posts and your comments here, I promise to myself that I’ll not smoke again for the next 72 hours.
Yes there are risks, but wise decision that you made Mark to wait 72 hours.
got it Doc, thanks!
You are welcome Mark!
I had all 4 Wisdom teeth removed on Monday 16th.
I am hanging for a smoke but a bit scared to have one.
When I look at the wounds I have a hole
And I can see bone.
I am still in a bit of pain.
Do I have dry socket? Is it ok to have a smoke.
Also how long until my stitches with fall out?
Aimee, after 72 hours, it is safe to smoke. There has been cases of dry socket caused by smoking after 72 hours but they are very rare.
Your holes might take a few weeks to be unseen, as full recovery takes 3 months. Mild pain is normal after a week.
About the stitches, it depends what type have you had. Some dissolve after a few days, some take more time, and others don’t dissolve at all and need to be manually removed.
I got my tooth pulled Wednesday at like 4 my left bottom wisdom tooth. It is Friday 1pm, can I smoke yet?
Lendsey, it is recommended to wait 48 to 72 hours. If you can keep it to Saturday it would reduce the risks.
hey doc,i had my tooth pulled out yesterday and i was wondering if you can still smoke while having a gauze in your mouth?
Kristan, it is not recommended.
What about alcohol?
Alcohol should not be consumed if you are taking pain medication or antibiotics that you cannot mix with alcohol.
i got two wisdom teeth pull yesterday can i start smoking monday? please let me knw
Samantha, Monday would make 72 hours if you had your wisdom teeth removed Friday, so yes you would be OK.
I had a tooth removed 2 days ago (almost) and the dentist told me not to smoke for 3 to 4 days to avoid infection but said an electric cigarette would be fine as it is just nicotine and water vapour.
He said nothing to lead me to beleive that sucking is dangerous and so I have been smoking it like a regular cigarete. Just not as frequently.
Also the constant flow of saliva in my mouth means i have been making sucking motions to swallow it for nearly 48 hours now.
Does the fact that my dentist told me nothing about sucking and only warned against smoking for infections mean that i have a difrent case to everyone else here? or is it more likely he is not as trust worthy as one would hope he would be.
(not the first time i had a tooth removed and the last time the dentist told me absolutly nothing atall. Didnt go back to that dentist)
Toby, smoking can cause dry socket in two ways. The first is the toxins from the cigarette (or cigar or anything else), and the second is from the suction. That is why it is not only recommended not to smoke, but also not to spit, or drink with a straw. Therefore I wouldn’t recommend an e-cigarette either.
Your dentist is probably very good, but like any profession, sometimes people have different opinions (be nice with him or her 🙂 ).
I know this is for questions for tooth extractions but how much is to much brushing your teeth? I brush mine 5-6 times a day and I’m worried I’m doing damage to my teeth?
Georgia, I brush my teeth the same number of times as you. What is important is not to brush too hard, and to use a soft or extra-soft bristle tooth brush when you do.
OK thank you I have just have had so many problems with my teeth that I was wondering if that was why.
What are the problems with your teeth? Hard brushing can cause gums to be reduced (gum recession), or tooth enamel to be used up at the collar of each tooth.
Hey doc I was told by a nurse Iknow that I could smoke 12 hours after I had all4 wisdom teeth took out they were an easy extraction cause they already started coming in. was she right or do i need to worry about dry socket cause i have smoked 2 cigarettes already. also i have had gauze in for about 8 hours and i still havent quit bleeding and i ran out of gauze but its finally starting to clot is that ok? or do i need to try using some tea bags?
Alexis, when I graduated from dental school they use to recommend not to smoke for 4 hours after surgery. But further research change the recommendations now and I strongly suggest to wait 3 days.
If you run out of gauze and it still bleeds, yes like you said, use wet tea bags which will help a lot.
Thank
Is it OK to rinse with Listerine the day after having a premolar removed?
Georgia, yes you can rinse with salted water or Listerine 24 hours after the extraction.
I just had tooth #5 pulled yesterday (Monday) and I’m feeling pretty good. However, I’m craving nicotine big time. May I use nicotine losenges or gum (avoiding the side of my mouth where the extraction is) safely? Thanks for the help!
Marcia, sorry I don’t know what that is. But if you are not sure maybe you can postpone it.
Its been 3 days since I had all four of my wisdom teeth removed. I normally smoke about a pack a day. I have only smoked four cigarettes since my surgery and I have placed gauze to try to prevent dry socket.I heard that dry sockets are the worst pain ever, and that it will put you into tears. I’m in pain, but not that much pain, so if I haven’t gotten dry socket yet, what are my chances of getting it if you said normally you can’t get it after 72 hours?
Yes I have seen dry sockets occurring after 3 days, but they are very rare. I think not smoking for 72 hours is very safe.
Doc is it okay to drink beer after 72 hrs?
Colt, yes you can have beer, unless you are taking antibiotics or pain medication that you cannot mix with alcohol.
hello doc,
I just got the 2 wisdom teeth on my left side extracted today. They told me no gauze after the first hour. I am nervous because I had my other 2 pulled years ago and left the gauze in for a few days constantly changing them and I am worried about swallowing wrong and breaking the clot
.. I do not know if it makes any difference because this time they also gave me stitches. Also I have noticed that you have been saying not to smoke for at least 72 hours. My note says 10 days! Please say I do not have to wait that long!
Debbie,
Different doctors might have different opinions. I think not smoking for 3 days is safe. There have been rare cases of dry socket after 10 days and maybe that’s why your dentist recommends to wait that long. If you could wait 10 days that’s wonderful, but if not, 3 days is fine.
The gauze is mostly put when it bleeds and to cause pressure for the clot to form. If after an hour it stops bleeding, I wouldn’t put the gauze anymore. But if bleeding persists or starts again, you can use gauze or wet tea bags.
Thank you so much!
I was also told not to rinse my mouth out with anything for 10 days as well. before I have done salt water and not spit as to not loosen the clot. Can I still do the salt water even if I have stitches that will need to be removed as well?
Yes you can! Again not rinsing for 10 days is taking extra precautions. I usually recommend at least 24 hours.
Doc got all four of my wisdom teeth pulled this morning and all four of them were impacted do i have to wait longer than 72 hours to smoke?
Hi Matthew, 72 hours is reasonable, even for a thorough surgery like that. If you can and if you want to be safer, you can wait 5 days. But 3 days is what is recommended.
one more question – do you recommend using gauze while you smoke – i was told to fold two gauze in the back of the mouth watering them so it cant block that suction while smoking? Thanks for all your help
Hi Matthew, this method is not proven to prevent dry socket.
Hello,
I Just had all 4 of my wisdom teeth removed (on wed), and i had a few questions.
1) One of the wisdom teeth impacted the second molar to a point where it looks like it had a hole in it. My normal dentist said i can have one of two options. I could either get a root canal done or i can eventually have it removed, but the Oral Surgeon did not say anything about the second molar. So my question is should I just have it removed rather than going through the whole process of a root canal?
2) Im feeling a slight irritation in my upper right gum where the tooth was removed. Its not severe or anything. It just started when i used the plastic syringe to clean it out on the 2nd day. I also took a look at the area with one of them tiny mirrors (like the ones dentist use) and it looks like its healing good along with the other areas. But my question is this. Is it possible that it could be the beginning of dry socket?
3) How long are you supposed to use the mouth wash that is prescribed? (on my bottle it just says take 15ml twice a day)
Thank you for your help!
Michelle
Hi Michelle,
about your second molar, if it really does need a root canal, I would strongly recommend to go through the process instead of extracting the tooth. Is it sure you would need one? Are you in pain there, or is there a big cavity or fracture?
About the irritation on your upper gum, could it be the sutures? Or if there were no sutures, you can feel mild pain up to 10 days after extraction.
And about the mouth wash, is it chlorhexidine? If so, I think the bottle would last you 3 weeks. If it’s Listerine or salted water, then I would rinse for at least one week or as indicated by your dentist.
I had one of my front teeth pulled saturday at 10am and a flapper put in in its place. Will I be safe to smoke monday morning (48 hours after)?
Yes Max, and you will be even safer if you wait until Tuesday morning.
I had all 4 of my wisdom teeth removed Friday at 9am it is now Sunday at 1:30pm. I was wondering if it is now safe to smoke with the gauze in my mouth?
There is no proof that smoking with gauze in your mouth will prevent dry socket.
I had my upper and lower wisdom teeth removed on Wednesday at 1:30 pm. It is now Saturday at 12:15. I have not smoked a cigarette but want to know if it is ok to now that it has been three days. I don’t want a dry socket. But my first day after they were extracted I threw up a million times from the pain medication. But I’m okay now.
Thnx 🙂
Jade,
Yes after 3 days it’s okay. And it sounds like you have had severe side effects of nausea after taking the medication. I hope the remaining healing time goes well.
Hi, I had a tooth pulled late afternoon Thursday. The dentist packed the extraction site with some kind of foam looking stuff he said would help it heal. It’s still in there, but is rising up out of the extraction site in a few places. Is this normal or should I contact the dentist? I’m worried that this stuff will fall out and disrupt the clot. It doesn’t seem loose overall, but it is protruding from the extraction site- is this ok? I’m taking antibiotics for an infection and 800 mg Ibuprofen for pain- no pain for the most part… when the Ibuprofen wears off there is a dull pain/pressure feeling at the extraction site, which I think is normal since it’s only 48 hrs since it was pulled and there was an infection. My main concern is this stuff he packed the site with- is it supposed to heal w/that stuff in there? Is it supposed to fall out? I have a follow up visit scheduled for Thursday (one wk after extraction) but am not sure if I should see him before then or if there is anything I should do over the weekend. Thanks for your help!
Hi Marguerite,
The gel-foam that your dentist put is supposed to resorb or fall-out by itself. I therefore wouldn’t worry if it comes out, but try not to play with it too much.
Ibuprofen 800 is a good dosage to remove pain, and having mild pain that lasts up to 10 days is normal. Dry socket is very intense pain that normally appears 3 to 5 days after the extraction.
Got teeth pulled friday. Now it’s wednesday. Can I smoke now?
It’s more than 72 hours, therefore you can.
Hi Doc, i had my right top and bottom wisdoms extracted, one was impacted. its now been 4 days, i have been smoking during the time and at nighttime am in agony. If i have a dry socket how long does this normally take to heal?should i be in this much pain..any advice? thanks
Hi Tom, try not to smoke!
Dry socket is very intense pain that can last many days. Contact your dentist and he or she can put you medication in your socket to accelerate the healing. Until then take ibuprofen (max 2400 mg per day) or acetaminophen (max 4000 mg per day). A combination of both can help more.
Hey doc, I’m prescribed marijuana and had my two wisom teeth pulled yesterday morning, and I have heard that if u use a bong, (because of less sucking I guess) and then rinse with listerine or something that kills germs after, can u still get dry socket?
Yes Adam you can still get dry socket.
Hey doc, i had an extraction yesterday about this time, and i have half a smoke beside me. i was wondering if a dry socket could happen right at your first drag or getting eventually worse and worse the more you smoke? also, does gauze actually help with the smoke in your mouth? thanks bud
Jason, it is not recommended at all to smoke the first 72 hours, with or without gauze.
Its says rinse for a few days and after each meal what is the recommended time to continue with salt ? Tomorrow is oone week
Start 24 hours after extraction was done, 3 times a day for one week.
Thanks for replying first tooth pulled just wanted tomake sure!
No problem 🙂
hey doc I had a simple tooth extraction, doc said 72 hrs, but the recovery paper he gave me says 24 hours. just wondering how long to wait? Thanks.
Joe, 72 hours is safer than 24.
I had my top left wisdom pulled.. today is day four no pain ever bleeding stopped that night is it ok to smoke without putting gauze in my mouth ?
Yes it’s been more than 72 hours.
Hi, I had my 3rd from back right (inc wisdom tooth) on bottom row extracted 3 days ago (Tuesday20th) but it wouldn’t fully clot properly for ages but yesterday early morning was the last time it bled and it was a very very tiny amount and hasn’t bled at all since. I haven’t had a cigarette yet but I was wandering if I should count the 72 hour wait from yesterday early morning or from the actual day and time I got it extracted. I just do not want to risk an infection.
cc, the more you wait, the safer it is. But it’s usually recommended 72 hours after the time of extraction.
Hey, so I had 4 of my wisdom teeth removed on Friday early in the morning. I thought I was going to get dry sockets so I checked in with my doc because I smoked. He said I was OK, just one of them was healing slower than the other. He then took the stitches out and put in these weird patches to relieve them. When am I allowed to smoke, its been over six days now? Thank you very much.
Yes Vinnie, it is safe after 6 days.
OK, it’s been three days since my extraction and I’ve been smoking slowly ever since. I know, not a good idea, but I was jonsin lol. well anyway, I’m fine right now, no super pain, no bleeding, nothing out of the ordinary just a little pain and some swelling. I was wondering though, if I DO get dry socket, will it just start bleeding again because it’s not bleeding at all right now. I was just wondering
No Jacob, there is no bleeding when dry socket occurs. You did take a risk smoking after extraction. And by the way, what does “josing” mean? 🙂
lol i can t spell what i want to say lol. im tryin to say it like ” i was jonsin for a cig” like i wanted one real bad lol. Thx for answering so quickly 🙂
Hi, I got my upper left wisdom tooth taken out on the 13th. It is now the 16th and I’m wondering if I’m gonna get a dry socket if I smoke? It hasn’t been hurting and it’s been 3 days already! Please advice!
Preesha, 3 days = 72 hours, so it’s ok.
Hey Doctor
I AM A BIT CONFUSED,
I HAD MY WISDOM TOOTH REMOVED ON MONDAY
SO I WANTED TO SMOKE.. BUT IS IT SAFE TO SMOKE
AND HOW MANY CAN I SMOKE IN A DAY
Tomorrow it will be 72 hours, so you should be okay.
How many can you smoke a day? I’m a medical guy and my only hope is for you to stop smoking one day.
Hey dr. I had my wisdom tooth removed four days ago, am I still at high risk to get a dry socket?
Stanley, dry socket occurs between 3 and 5 days after extraction, therefore, as of tomorrow you should be at much less risks of getting it.
i got my tooth pulled thursday at 1:00 it is now sunday 9:54 is it safe to smoke now
yes
I just got 2 teeth pulled and I wanted to know how long I should wait to dip again?
Quintin, I am not sure about chewing tobacco, but to be safe, wait 48 to 72 hours.
hello
well i had my wisdom tooth removed on monday 11.am
so today wednesdat 7.40 pm… can i smoke… because for me it is really not able to stay…
cannot concentrate on anything…
and if i can smoke then how many of cigatree can i smoke…
and y is it said that not to smoke when the wisdom tooth is removed…
actually i was a tobacco eater but i have stopped it and
i started smoking… so now cannot stay without it..
what i want is nikotine..
so please suggest if i smoke then will it be harmfull
my lips and my mouth is dried…
pls help
Hell doc i am waiting for your answer…
I still recommend 48 to 72 hours, but you are the master of your body.
hello
I Had My RIght Lower WIsdom Tooth Extraction On 12-03-2012 at morning 11.00am
and i am a tobacco chewer… so can i chew on my left.. as well i want to smoke
but cannot smoke… cz my doc said to wait till a week… pls suggest…
i cannot work nor i can go toliet properly…
pls help
Satish, I would suggest to follow the recommendations of your dentist. If we put aside post-extraction instructions, chewing Tobacco is one of the main causes of oral cancers.
Had my upper left molar removed on Saturday at around 1. Is it safe 2 smoke now it’s Monday morning 7 am? Havent had no pain no bad breath or taste. Nothing.
Tmoney, if you can wait until tomorrow afternoon it would be better.
Hello, i had my wisdom teeth removed thursday morning at 9:45 AM, it is now sunday 12:01 am, is it okay to take a smoke?
Yes antshoe.
I had my tooth extracted on tuesday and today is saturday it was a bottom left molar i think thats what he said anyways it was a bad tooth it took him 2 hours for him to get it out he jerked and wiggled back and forth pissed when i left there lol! but my on is is it normal for it still to be hurting and smoker but havent for 5 days but im wanting one bad! is it ok to go ahead and have one or should i waitother question have anixity bad but i was going to ask what are the chances of somone geting trigemanal neuraliga im worried about all this please write me back! thanks
It should be ok now to smoke Nichole, and it’s normal to hurt a bit after 5 days. If the pain is intense, it might be dry socket and you should call your dentist just to look at it.
dr.yousef i couldnt find any other place to ask my question its not related to this post but its very important for me , one day i woke uo with brown lines on my front upper teeth , i have very pretty teeth, i didnt drink wine or soy sauce but i smoke . i dont know why it appears on facial side of my teeth over a night cuz usually its on lingual side turning dark brown but i have light brown lines on my facial beauty :(((((((((((((((((((
Sanazamiri, it can be stains caused from cigarettes, coffee or tea. Usually they are removed from a dental cleaning at your dentist.
so its been 7 days since I had #19 molar removed and I’ve been using gauze to cover the socket when I smoke. when can I stop using the gauze when I smoke because the gauze is starting to make the socket hurt.
Reva, after 7 days it is safe.
I got all 4 of my wisdom teeth removed thursday march 1st and it has now been 4 days, I was thinking about smoking a cigarette tomorrow which would put me at 5 days do you think I will get a dry sockets if I smoke at 5 days after my surgery, and if not do you think I could smoke tonight 4 days without a problem? Thank you
Jeremy, it should be ok.
so if I had all four of my wisdom teeth pulled today can I put gauze in my mouth to cover the holes and smoke like that?
No.
hi my name is amado and i just got surgery on february 24 and i havent smoke but what im afraid is getting the dry sockets evrybody been talking about that the pain is so bad so i just dont want to get that on my mouth so can i smoke now till this day
Hi Amado, yes it should be safe.
I had a root canal done last thursday started antibiotics. the infection did not go away it got very severe dentist has fri sat sun off so monday I went in he said I have’t o extract it or see a surgeon and it would take days or a week to see one so I chose extraction. Everything seems much better but there is still pain and tenderness still some swelling too along with nasty taste but doesnt seem to be a dry socket. My question is; at this point I just ran out of antibiotics my dentist is off fri sat sun so should I be worried that this infection could get worse again because I ran out of antibiotics before all symptoms of infection went away? Will it now run its course and go away? The first 6 dsys of taking antbiotics was before it got worse and had to be.extracted so really ive only been on antibiotics for 4 days since therocedure that actualy helped is this bad?
Charlie I recommend to rinse with salted water until Monday.
Dudes (and dudettes), take the opportunity to quit smoking…….I’ve been a smoker for about 12 years now, did a tooth extraction in 2005, had no idea of the adverse effect of smoking after and puffed away immediately, and ended up being incapacitated by pain and fever.
A week ago I had more teeth taken out and haven’t smoked since, my stitches are still in and it’s not completely healed so I’m going to have to give it another week. Haven’t had any major cravings so far (even during that acid test of drinking a few beers) and I’m wondering that if I make it past the two week mark, could I perhaps not feel the need to go back?
hi i am Daniel iv just had a tooth extraction and told that i need root canal or extraction when i asked which is best he said extraction but the gap will be quiet visible can u give me any advice please thanks
Daniel, if a tooth can be saved with a root canal I suggest to save it. Replacing a missing tooth can be more costly, but yet still possible.
Hi
I am 29 and had my right top wisdom tooth removed, there were stitches that were put in. I am a smoker and the first 24 hours didn’t smoke but day 2 were 2 smokes day 3 were 4 and now Im on day 4 now and wondering when is ok for me to resume smoking like normal and not put the gauze in my mouth at the same time? Also when is someone out of the danger stage of dry socket?
Thanks
Basanti, dry socket occurs mostly 3 to 5 days after the extraction. Later than that is considered safe.
Hello i had a tooth pulled monday feb 20th at 10 am it is now wednesday feb 22nd i am going to be honest i really need to smoke when will i be ok to do so without fearing dry socket? and how will i know if i have dry socket?
After 48 hours (preferably 72 hours) it is considered safe. Dry socket happens 3 to 5 days after extraction, and you feel intense pain, difficulty of opening your mouth, and bad smell.
Hi I find this blog really helpful and I just have a few questions to ask,
it’s been 6 days after my wisdom tooth extraction (4 of them) with which 2 bottom ones were stitched up, is it ok to have a few smokes starting day 7? Is it still likely to get dry socket?
And also I notice on the bottom left there is a white thing poking upwards (vertical) that seems to be the stitch… it’s oddly poking upward, is it normal? Should i worry about it or will it dissolve eventually?
Thanks
Thank you Jack for your nice feedback.
After 6 days it is considered safe. And what you are describing sounds like your stitches. If they are resolvable, they should fall out by themselves. Or your dentist can remove them on your next appointment.
today i had my upper left wisdom tooth pulled and when the doctor numbed me up i felt like i couldnt swallow and i started gagging a dry heaving is that normal, oh and i do have a bad gag-reflex also
ok, i feel i must post this in the name of harm reduction,, DO NOT SMOKE FOR 3 DAYS AFTER TOOTH EXTRACTION.. ok great, now that thats out of the way, i am going to speak to the people out there who under the threat of death are gonna smoke anyway,,,, ok, first, cover extraction site with wet gauze,,,now, take your cigarette, roll it between your fingers dumping some tobacco out to make it looser,,,i remove the filter too,and advise you do as well, now, with gauze in carefully apply light pressure to the gauze (bite down lightly) and ever so lightly draw on your cig,,,(if your cheeks suck in at all you are sucking too hard) also try to inhale through your nose as drawing on the cig as it will help equalize the pressure in your mouth,again, draw lightly like taking a normal breath.., when finished remove gauze,rinse with salt water……..NOW AGAIN, DO NOT SMOKE FOR 3 DAYS AFTER TOOTH EXTRACTION.
🙂
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What a wonderful blog, i found it extremely helpful. I had my two bottom wisdom teeth removed today. One of them was impacted, but i’m almost positive I don’t have stitches as he didn’t say anything about having them or having to get them removed. I tried to open my mouth a bit to look back there and all i saw was a hole, not closed or anything. Is it normal for your surgeon to not give you stitches? Also do stitches reduce the chance of infection or dry sockets? I feel like even the mushy foods i’m eating are getting caught in the holes and i’m fiddling around with my tongue to get it out and I’m worried it will not heal because of this? I know tomorrow I will be able to rinse the food out with salt water but will today have effected my chances of either of these?
Lauren, you can do it today but go gently.
Hi, I got my wisdom tooth taken out on tuesday after noon. Im planning on drinking alcohol and smoking cigarettes on friday. Is it safe to do so? Would it result in infection and creating dry socket?
Hi Brian,
About smoking, Friday would be 72 hours later, so you are ok.
About drinking alcohol, it depends if you are taking antibiotics or pain killers, then it might not be ok to drink alcohol with them.
Hi, thanks for your reply.
i did drink alcohol on friday night however, i took antibotics and pain killer medicine at noon and around 9pm i consumed alcohol. is it that bad to the point where i have to go see my doctor?
you are not suppose to drink alcohol with any antibiotics bcuz it will cause the antibi not to be effective.
Dr. Youssef,
You clearly deserve a bunch of praise for your feedback. As for everyone else, here are some salient points that are VERY simple:
1. Don’t smoke at all;
2. If you do, wait at least 48 hours to do so, better still make it 72 (how many times does Dr. Youssef need to reiterate this obvious point);
3. Once you make it past this window (and better still if you’re another day or so thereafter), your risk of subsequently developing a dry socket is significantly lower;
4. Dry sockets are painful and bad. Don’t jeopardize your health in order to smoke or drink;
5. Dr. Youssef does not (and can not) condone the use of drugs in this forum. Again, pretty obvious why.
I wish you all well.
Thank you
Thank you P Cole!
I Apologise for not opening a new post for this, but was unaware how. Thank you very much for all your knowledgable answers, I easily was able to scroll down and find everything I wanted to know about prevention, causes, and signs of dry socket. No need to ask you anything because its already been answered so instead I’ll tell you the story behind the pulling. I had two teeth pulled out yesterday at 3:20 by a brand new dentist to me, I’ve never had a better job done, she had this technique where she would pinch the cheek when inserting the needle for anesthesia which distracted me enough to not even feel the needle! The extraction was semi complicated, it was my lower wisdom and the molar right next to it. The wisdom tooth broke but both pieces were removed. The pain I experienced with the tooth present was tremendous. 3 years ago the initial pain started and my dentist at the time drilled a hole in the tooth to alleviate pain. My guess is the hole he created was to take pressure off my nerve that was enflamed, because the pain went away instantly. Regardless this tooth sat in my mouth for 3 years and being there was a hole in it everytime I ate and ANY food got stuck in it the pain would be unbearable until i found a mirror and dislodged the debris that stopped the tooth from “breathing”. It’s not like I did not visit a dentist within the three years, I just have numerous problems within my mouth which may have needed immediate attention.
Probably due to the laziness of my parents? Didn’t see a dentist till I was 16 years of age and my mouth most definentely should have been braced.
I’m 23 now and have so much dental work ahead of me I’ll be able to retire once its complete
Sorry for rambling on, once again thank you so much for being so direct and kind, was much help!!
hi .. I have a Mexican socket prevention..
For those who like to smoke, after a tooth extraction, I recommend use a piece of cotton on the the tooth extraction place, than cover it with a piece of clear wrap over the cotton making sure seal the live zone to prevent socket from the chemical of the cigarrete, also try to not do much sucition. make sure after smoke, brush your teeth very well to remove the chemical particules, and you be good
Tonny, yes but the suction on the cigarette can also cause dry socket.
hi im nicole i jus got a tooth extraction done yesterday afternoon, i am also worried that it wont heal properly..how long should i wait to brush my teeth.? and how long does it take to heal apprx. and for the salt water how many times a day i can do it?..im just worried i might not do something right for the healing process and need information so i can know what to do how to do it. how long to wait and everything?.
Hi Nicole,
You can brush your teeth right away, just go softly near the site where the extractions were made.
The gums heal within a week or two. The bone takes about 3 months to heal fully, but you won’t be in pain during all that time, you will just feel a groove in your gums that will fill up slowly.
You should rinse your mouth with salted water about 3 times a day, but only start doing so 24 hours after the extractions.
I got my wisdom teeth taken out last Tuesday so it’s been 6 days, I’m still worried about developing dry socket. I ate fish yesterday and today but I mashed it up into small pieces but they still get stuck in the sockets. Will I get dry socket because they’re not coming out that easily. Do you think I’m out of the woods in terms of developing dry socket?
Hi Farrah,
You are pretty much safe after 6 days. If food gets stuck in the “holes” or sockets, you can rinse with salted water to remove them.
Hi
I just Had a root Canal. Now I have a crown been placed on both of my teeth. Now can I smoke after I had a crown been placed on my teeth.
Hi AJ,
Smoking does not have immediate bad effects after treatments like root canal, dental crowns, or even fillings. Long term smoking can stain your crowns and damage the gums that support all your teeth. Smoking also puts people at risk to get oral cancers.
Hello.
After having your wisdom teeth removed, how many days have to go by before you can confidently say that you WON’T get a dry socket?
Thanks in advance!
Hi Luke,
Well the more you wait, the least your are likely to get dry socket. 72 hours is a number that is pretty safe although there has been rare cases reported that smoking after 72 hours brought dry socket. If you want to be really safe and avoid dry socket totally, I would wait one week before smoking.
Hey I got 3 wisdom teeth pulled tuesday early afternoon, it’s now friday, sois it okay to smoke tonight? also, is it normal that it is stitched to my cheek?
Hi Jessica, after 3 days it is ok.
About the stitches, wisdom teeth are very close to cheeks and there can be stiches at the edge of the cheeks.
Hey, my clot looks really strange; I haven’t been smoking and I don’t have any pain as long as I take a couple of Panadol every 6 hours. The clot started off being a very dark red, but now the dark red is getting smaller, and more central to the extraction site, and on the edges of the extraction site there is bits of pink – which looks like the normal gum colour, but also little bits of brown and white. I was wondering if I might need to consult my doctor, because even though I am in very little pain it’s just slightly disconcerting when it looks like you have a zombie-gum. Also I’ve got that horrible stench, and I can’t stop from salivating. Plus my jaws tight and my lips are dry. It’s almost been 72 hours, and tonight I’m going out and will probably have a couple of smokes.
Ochre, after 72 hours, it is safe.
The colours you saw around your socket are normal as the gum didn’t fully heal yet. This takes about 1-2 weeks before it looks normal. The bone takes 3 months to heal, and during that time food can accumulate inside your hole, where you might need to rince with salted water to remove.
I went to the dentist and he didn’t remove the whole tooth but kind of broke a piece off that was causing the most pain and now it feels better. He didn’t say how long before I could smoke and there’s only a little hole. I’ve been smoking since then and I was wondering if I should stop for the next couple of days because the whole isn’t very big and it was only a partial tooth removal
Ashley, your question is a bit challenging 🙂 Here’s what i can answer. It depends which part of the tooth your dentist removed. If it was a part of a molar tooth that includes a whole root, then there is a socket left behind and dry socket can occur if you smoke. If it was only the top part of your tooth and the roots are left behind, then it is very unlickely for dry socket to occur.
But why did your dentist only remove a part of your tooth and not all of it?
he only removed part of because it was so painfull he couldn’t remove the whole thing and it was not necessary to remove the whole thing. Only the part that looked like it was trying to go back into my gums is what was causing the pain. I have an appointment to have it looked at again to have the rest of it removed after my antibiotics are gone
hey i had six teeth extracted today bout thirteen hours ago. well ten forty five this morning. i need a cig really bad going nuts and being a b**** you think im good to smoke one as long as i cover them with gauz really good then rinse my mouth with warm salt water?
Hi Chyna, no you are not recommended to smoke for 48 to 72 hours. Also you shouldn’t rinse with salted water for the first 24 hours.
i had a tooth extraction yesterday… after two hours i cant help to smoke… because im a chain smoker…. but read the article above alarmed me and i decided not to smoke… do i still need to worry about i did freshly after extraction?
If you smoke you don’t automatically get dry socket. The least you smoke, the least likely you will get dry socket.
I have a few questions. When can I brush my whole mouth (where the wisdom teeth use to be) and use mouth wash? Also it’s been 5 days I don’t smoke, nor have I used a straw but am still worried about dry socket… I don’t got any pain but I get the odd sharp pain that comes and goes is this normal? Also my jaw and cheek are still a little tender.
Hi Joe,
You can brush teeth next to where your wisdom teeth were two days after their removal, you just need to do it softly. You can use mouthwash the next day (not before 24 hours). It is normal that your jaw and cheek are tender 5 days after. It takes one to two weeks not to feel anything, except maybe the hole where you wisdom teeth were, that takes up to three months.
How worried should I be for dry socket going on to day 6, I don’t smoke, and I haven’t used a straw but I’m still a little worried, I’m afraid to eat cuz I may cause dry socket, so I’m eating soups and soft foods still..
Also is it normal to see some white stuff were the wisdom teeth use to be? I read it’s part of the healing process.
Thanks I you’ve been such a help
Hi there, I am now on day 9 after having all four of my wisdom teeth extracted. My swelling was not severe and went down very quickly, and I have not been in need of any pain meds for the past two or three days. But today i noticed that my mouth is a little difficult to open, and that it’s sore all of a sudden. Could this be the beginning of dry socket? Is it possible after 8 or 9 days? I’m just really nervous because I have heard that it’s so painful…
Also, how long until I can drink alcohol again? Thank you!
Kait, it depends, if you are taking antibiotics, most of them do not mix well with alcohol. If you are not taking antibiotics or pain killers then you are ok for a good glass of wine 🙂
Kait, those are signs of dry socket beginning. But it happens very rarely after 9 days. So it could be something else. If the pain becomes stronger, taken anti-inflammatory pain killers (advil, ibuprofen, montin) and contact your dentist.
Thank you! How fast do dry socket symptoms progress and worsen? I mean, the pain hasn’t gotten any worse at all since yesterday.
The answer depends from person to person. But after 9 days I have a feeling that you are not gonna have dry socket.
i had a tooth pulled 24 hours ago.. i couldn’t wait any longer to smoke, so i took small light puffs, nothing to vigrious, so my question is how long does it take to KNOW that you have a dry socket? is it instantly or days?
No it’s not instant. Dry socket usually happens 3 to 5 days after extraction.
You give good, solid and clear advice I like that. Every person seems to ask the same few questions, same ones i wanted to ask….. I just got my wisdom teeth pulled: bottom right #1 and top right 32. I am craving a cig, sooo bad, But I am gonna wait the 48 hours. I am eating tons of ice cream and rinsing mouth with warm water but no salt. it has been only 6 hours.
Will brush before bed.
Thanks for posting on this blog. It helped me to read all of these posts.
Thank you for your kind words Jolene, and I am glad you take the recommendations seriously.
I would recommend not to rinse with salted water for the 24 first hours after the extractions.
Mmmmm ice cream! Thank you Jolene for your nice feedback 🙂
hi, i had four teeth extracted i was wondering how long it would take just to have one cig.
48 to 72 hours.
Is it normal for a dentist to pack the hole with gauze before I even get dry socket?? I was looking all over the internet for this and have not seen anyone else mention it, but today when i went for me check up appointment ( its been one week since the procedure) the surgeon pulled gauze out of the hole (which I was not told was even in there until today when he took it out). Does this mean I should wait 3 more days to smoke or should I be ok because the initial removal occurred a week ago?
Grace, I would love to answer you, but I am not sure what the dentist put in your socket.
But I can share my experience. When someone does get dry socket, I see that person and put a medication inside the socket that is kind of looks like a very tiny piece of gauze. But I never put it automatically after extraction because it doesn’t reduce the possibility of getting dry socket.
Some dentist put a little piece of dressing on the extraction site to reduce bleeding. Maybe that is what your dentist put.
Hey, I got one of my bottom left molars extracted Monday Aug. 15th around 2 pm. and it is now 11:08 am wednesday aug 17th. i was wondering is it alright for me to smoke a cig now or should i wait til 2 today to smoke? and should i pull gauze over my tooth when i do smoke?
Alyson, my advice is to wait 72 hours.
I have a question. I got my wisdom teeth pulled out Last Wednesday and now it is tuesday the following week. I havn’t craved a cig. since the inflammation and swelling has been bad but for two days it has stopped and it feels better. I smoked about 3 ciggerates today. Every time I have one I rinse my mouth with salt water and I use the mouth wash that they prescribed to me. I am deathly afraid I will get a dry socket. Will I get a dry socket after this long? What are my chances and how will I know I am starting to get one? Thanks.
Kate, dry socket starts when you feel a huge amount of pain and start being unable to open your mouth well.
It’s been almost a week since your teeth have been extracted, therefore you are very safe.
Hi,
I got pulled out my both 4’s, becouse I will have braces in two weeks, but can I only smoke 1 cigarette, from removing those teeth its been 5 hours.
Michael, if you want to make sure you have no complications, it is best to wait more. Dry socket occurs 10% of the time for teeth other than wisdom teeth.
Its been now, 22 hours since I got my tooth’s removed, is there a chance that I will get dry socket only from 1 cigarette.?
Yes.
had a tooth removed on the 11th at about 1020 am. it took a whole 2 mins for them to get out. ive had no complications no pain at all….is this normal? i guess im just waiting for the pain. when are you in the clear for a dry socket? i am a smoker a pack a day. ive smoked probably 10 cigarettes since 920 am on the 11th. thats good for me! ive been putting gauze in over the hole and taking it out after and rinsing with warm salt water. when i take it out there is still blood not a lot when should bleeding be done with?
Terra, after a day there should be no more bleeding. But 10 cigarettes! You know my opinion about that 🙂
Yes yes i know but its half of what i normally smoke that has to count for something lol. its been 5 days and ive been terrified to eat! do you think it would be pretty safe to say im in the clear for a dry socket?
It’s ok after 5 days Tara.
ok so I just got my upper right wisdom tooth extracted yesterday at 3:30 PM and I want to smoke so bad I can’t stand it. It’s 11 AM right now the next day… can I smoke or is there any trick that I can do to prevent dry socket?
It is not recommended to smoke for 48 to 72 hours, so you are not there yet.
my dentist sad 4 hours.
We were taught that at Uni, but sadly 4 hours isn’t enough.
I got all four (impacted) wisdom teeth out last friday, june 29th. I havent had a cigarette yet, but was wondering if there is still a risk of dry sockets forming after 6 days. Would it be safer to smoke with gauze in?
Alama,
The risk of dry socket six days after wisdom teeth removal is very very low, I wouldn’t worry about it.
mate you managed 6 days just quit
Hi. Quick question. I had a bottom right molar tooth extracted on Monday. Today I freaked out when I rinsed out my mouth and with what I thought was the blood clot came out. I ran straight to the dentist and the dental assistant said that it is the packing or something that they put in there that is coming out. Now, everytime I rinse its coming out more and more. I am so deathly afraid of getting dry socket. Is this normal for this to come out? Should I not be worried as much about dry socket anymore? It’s gotten to the point of where I’m afraid to eat or drink because I don’t want to keep rinsing my mouth out and have the stuff come out more. How will I know when its dry socket?
Katie,
The packing that the dentist applies if fibrous and can come out in many pieces. I don’t think you have dry socket at all, or else you would have felt sharp pain and difficulty of opening your mouth.
you will know if you have dry socket. it hurts really bad! I thought after getting my wisdom teeth removed I could smoke with the gauze in and it definately didn’t work!!!!
Nicole, thank you for sharing your experience, it will be helpful to others.
How many did u smoke, I would die for just one, I might have an anxiety attack, seriously
I just purchased the patch that worked great i haven’t smoked in 7 days
Great for you Mellisa!
Hey, I just had a tooth pulled today and had a flipper put in. I can’t wait the 24, I need to smoke. Doc said not to take the flipper out for two days. If I can’t remove it then I can’t put gause in, how can I protect the socket or is the flipper protecting it?
The flipper gives some kind of protection Melvin. But try not to.
Serious question….
I got my wisdom teeth removed last tuesday. I’m a frequent marijuana user and was wondering when I will be able to use my bong again. Not trying to be funny or anything like that, it’s a serious question and I would greatly appreciate your help.
Smoking anything after 72 hours.
This blog discourages the use of Marjuana or any other drug.
ok… so, even after 72 hours… do i need to pack the area (#5 tooth) with gauze before i smoke? do i still need to puff carefully (instead of solid vacuum drags)? I’ll wait the week like my dentist recommended but, damn, that’s longer than any suggestion on the net!
i’ve been salt rinsing at least 5x daily and brushing after everything i eat. i’ve been taking impeccable care of it. no pain. i just really don’t want to risk getting dry socket.
I’ve been wondering the same thing too. I just made it past 72 hours but I don’t know how I’m supposed to smoke it.
Will and KC, usually after 72 hours it is safe.
I am REALLY REALLY REALLY wondering this too! about smoking in general can you PLEASE answer this? You keep answering 48 to 72 hours… but do you mean WITH gauze in your mouth? Is it safe to smoke WITHOUT the gauze? If not, WHEN is it safe to smoke without the gauze?!!!!! I’ve looked everywhere and can’t find any answer to this!!! When can you Smoke normally with normal drags instead of light easy little puffs? 72 hours??? I would just like a clear response so I can feel at ease about everything. It would be so GREATLY appreciated!!!!
Taylor, with or without gauze, wait 48 to 72 hours.
I never recommended gauze, other people do though.
Hi I just got my #30 tooth out on,thursdays and I have stitiches too…i waited until today to smoke but,i put tissue on it but I want to know when can I smoke without it witout getting dry socket? Thank you
@ Lakeisha,
It’s been 72 hours so smoking now will very unlikely cause dry socket.
Thanks doc! Quick question,how long do it takes for the clot to develop and stay? And I really hope I dont get dry socket? Thank you
i got all 4 wisdom teeth out on thursday, my mouth still hurts like hell and i REALLY need a smoke, can i have on eyt?
@ Noelle,
It’s been 48 hours so you’re almost ok. But if you are experiencing that much pain until Monday, I recommend you advise your dentist about it.
so I had 4 wisdom teeth removed about 54 hours ago. Is it safe to smoke? Also the doctor said there is a small hole behind one that was removed should i wait longer then normal?
Alex, you passed the 48 hours so you should be safe. The hole that your dentist found must be sutured now I imagine?
Its been about 32 hours from my surgery of getting 4 teeth pulled, am i ok to smoke yet? or should i wait another 12 hours
Johnny, you should be ok, but if you can wait until the three days have passed it’s even better.
Its been 64 hours since my single molar extraction, I have very minimal pain today, can I resume smoking now?
Hi Trevor, yes you are close to the 72 hours, it should be fine.
i just had a calculus treatment. can i smoke?
Hi Cecko, a calculus treatment? You mean they removed the calculus (tartar)? If so, yes there is no problem.
Hi, Ive had all my back molars taken out, it was done on monday, and its wednesday evening now, i dont know know how much longer i can stand it, can i smoke a cig now?????
Yes it’s almost 72 hours 🙂
hello cyberanto, my name is sebastian, i just had a bottom right wisdom tooth removal 5 days ago, iv read most of the forum, but seems like i have a special case… once the surgery was finished the dentist closed up the wound with stitches, the non-disolving ones, i had a couple of smokes yesterday and today as well, but now am sort of freaking out a bit that i could develop a dry socket, at the moment i have no pain or anything just my mouth feels dryer than usual, i looked with a torch at the area of the extraction and it looks normal to me but i was wondering, do you think i could still get dry socket? also iv been taking antibiotics since the first day of extraction and followed every step adviced by my dentist until the 4th day.
Hi Sebasrian, and thank you for your question.
it is safe after 5 days and very unlikely to have dry socket. There has been cases that occurred after one week. Therefore, if it’s not too hard and you want to be on the safe side, you can wait 2 more days before smoking.
I just had a tooth pulled out today, my dentist told me to wait 24 hours before smoking. Also, I had 4 wisdom teeth and another tooth pulled last year and I smoked in the car on the way home from the dentist, no dry sockets…
Kelley, thank you for sharing your experience.
Smoking after tooth extraction increases the risks of having dry socket, it doesn’t directly lead to one.
Hi! I had a tooth pulled this afternoon. I told the dentist that I smoked and he said wait. But I think he must be a smoker because he said if you CAN’T wait then do the wet gauze trick. But my question is, when do you have to stop using the gauze during a smoke before its totally safe. I have stitches. I don’t want dry socket but I don’t have the will to just not smoke.
Hi Sue,
Usually after 72 hours it is safe.
Hey i had my #2 tooth pulled it took about 5 min. to have it done , it was a surgical removed due to half being broken , I was told by my dentist if i wanted to smoke put gauze over the hole , well it was pulled Tue. at about 4pm , it is now Friday ….What i want to know is can i stop putting stuff back there yet when i smoke?
Yes Sara, after 3 days it is safe usually.
I’ve just had my upper left wisdom tooth removed at 4pm today. There is no stitching. why would this be? (i was awake during the extraction) and when can I use a straw again? is it the same time as smoking??
Hi Brittany,
Yes, it is the same for using a straw, better wait 72 hours. The probable reason why your dentist didn’t use stitches was because your wisdom teeth removal didn’t do any damage or didn’t require to make an incision in your gums. I am sure the healing will go very well.
My Dentist said nothing about smoking or not smoking.
He gave a post-extraction advice and to-do list.
If you’d like to see this. I’ll be putting it up on my blog.
Becky
Hi Becky, maybe he forgot.
hello
i had 4 wisdom teeth out Wednesday , it is now the following Monday but i still haven’t got to eat and my pain and bruising is still really bad , can i smoke yet ?
@ Jb, yes it’s been 72 hours. But if the pain is really bad after 5 days, you might be experiencing dry socket. Maybe it is better to go see your dentist to have it checked.
I smoked after and I did it with gauze over the hole every time I smoked I put more gauze over the hole If you smoke put some gauze over the hole and you should be fine.
DO NOT SMOKE WITHOUT PUTTING GAUZE OR A PIECE OF PAPER TOWEL OR SOMETHING OVER THE HOLE!
Thank you Chris for the advice 🙂
Yea i had my lower one pulled last year and no stiches or anything and i was so freaked out b/c it felt like my face was being torn in half that i literally got in my car and lit a cigarette. i puffed very gently and not very often but nothing happened. Then I just had one out today and made it about 2 hours…i just keep the gauze met and my mouth mostly closed and take light puffs. i guess it depends on the person but it would be cool if there was some kind of stat on this like it increases your chance of dry socket X%, is there doc?
Jenny, I don’t know the exact stats, I’m not sure there are even any as I would think it would not be nice to put people at risk of dry socket in an experiment. But for sure smoking through the gauze doesn’t always work, as Nicole has expressed it below.
is it safe to smoke with something like a wet teabag or wet guaze covering the socket bitting down on it so as to cover the socket?
Hi Phil,
Some people recommend that, although I haven’t read any scientific articles on it. If you want to stay safe, try not to smoke for 72 hours.
JUST DO NOT SMOKE
WAIT TILL 48 – 72 HRS
THATS ALL
U DONT WANT COMPLICATIONS AND ANOTHER PROB IN UR TOOHT
This blog was very helpful! I just got an implant done.. I haven’t heard anyone who had one done on this blog so I’m wondering if I am more inclined to get dry socket? There is a metal pole in replacement of the tooth that was pulled out and everything else was stiched up. My dentist told me not to smoke for 2 weeks.. when will it be safe for me to smoke?
Thanks in advance.
Jennifer, I am not familiar with the surgery that you have gone through. But if your dentist recommends two weeks of not smoking, he or she must know why and I would recommend to follow the advice.
i got my wisdom teeth pulled if the bleeding has stopped can i smoke?….. plus its been seven days
Josh, seven days is safe.
The more tramatic the extraction the higher the chance of dry socket. As well It is believed that women taking who take contraceptives are susceptible to form dry sockets because they have higher then normal estrogen levels in their body. Other reasons that may affect your chances of having a dry socket are age, the location of tooth, type of tooth and how it is placed inside the gum bone
good luck and if in doubt call your dentist
http://www.buzzle.com/articles/dry-socket-after-tooth-extraction.html
Hey this is true my mom had her tooth pulled out!
ok im getting a gingivectomy which is the cutting of the skin over top of the tooth. Is it ok to smoke after that or should I wait?
WOO HOO! It has been almost a month, but I will tell you I did end up getting a dry socket or I guess the clot dislodged one week after surgery, i did well, it did not need to get packed or anything it just healed up on its own and the pain was annoying but tolerable, the dentist said that packing it only delays healing so I opted to deal with the pain and let it heal, and now it is almost completely healed so I made it whew! now just to get three more fillings on the other side….ugh BRUSH YOUR TEETH TO ALL LOL!
I wish id took care of my teeth!
Hi,
I had my lower back molar removed 6 days ago. I didn’t smoke until 36 hours after the procedure, and have been smoking very little during the healing process. There were no sutures placed over the extraction site, and the first two to three days there was a bad taste in my mouth, but is gone now. I have been taking plenty of fluids and rinsing with salt water frequently. The healing seems to be progressing well, every morning I wake up and the hole has closed up a bit more, but this evening I noticed that there was a bit of bleeding at the extraction site. I can still see the clot in there, and there is no intense pain but jaw feels tight and my gland seems a bit tender. Is his a sign of dry socket or infection?
Hey i had 9 teeth out on wednesday and i also got stitches i was just wondering when is it safe to smoke again?
ok im not smoking (or toking either) but my salavary glands overproduce and i drool a lot more than the average person is changing my gauze too often hurting me also whats with the teabag should i try that
Hi
I am now past day 3 and had one cigarette left in my pack from before my unexpected extractions………you know I lit the thing and was nearly sick. I think I am cured of smoking………
The only thing that annoys me is that I got no information at all- except try not to smoke that evening, avoid coke etc. I got no antibiotics and ok don’t need painkillers as no pain at all (compared to lack of sleep before the extractions)and no-one told me about rinsing with salty water……. But how can I tell if things are healing properly? I can’t see that far back into my mouth so no clue if clots are there or not- especially as I only bled for about 1 hour after the extractions and not that much either……..
hi my name’s Heather,
i had my 4 wisdom teeth taking out the 22nd and its the 29! i am a smoker and i’ve been smoking a pack a day even the day i had my teeth taking out! well my left bottom jaw is really sore an has a little throbin. not only that i have a cut on my check close to the jaw where they cut me and evertime i put my tunge there or or where they pulled it i get this NASTY HORRIBLE TASTE! and my breath has been smeellling bad for days. iv been brushing them and mouth wash everytime i eat and smoke. i told my dentist and he told me to lay of the diet pop! which i thought was realllly rude! Do you have any advice to get rid of this taste! Can that be an infection? b.c. the first 3 days i put gauze in the back of my mouth. could this mean its infected?
@ Healther,
Yes, slow down on smoking (if you can, stop smoking for two days), and rinse with water and salt. Also, yes there could be an infection if there is a bad taste. Did your dentist look at your extraction site?
thats why i went to yahoo to do some research because he didn’t say anything about an infection but i knew there was!!! and a week after it filled up with puss and he didnt even make me an appment he just gave me pain meds which i didnt even need….. and then that popped like 2 days after and a big chunck up my tooth came out with it… thank you for reply by the way 🙂
Although this is gonna sound disgusting to some people….smoke through your nose. Had 2 molars and a wisdom out yesterday and thats the trick thats working for me. Just (obviously) dont inhale too hard.
haha too funny, but thanks for the tip! If I can’t hold up for 48 hrs, I’m gonna give it a try.
i have had my mollar taken out yesterday around 12 i still got pain from the gums i guess from the shots which is normal when can i eat drink and smoke normal
@ Chris,
You can eat soft foods the same day of your extraction. Wait 48 to 72 hours before smoking.
I had my molar removed literally an hour ago. I am proud that i even made it this long with out smoking. Anyway, in March of this past year I had all four wisdom teeth removed. They advised me not to smoke for at least one week because I may develop a dry socket. Sounded painful but I still smoked. I had my first one about 6 hours after the surgery. I was lucky not to have serious complications because of it. I too tried some of the “tricks” above.
This time my Dentist told me the risk is higher because the “whole” where the tooth used to be is open, the last time they were stitched shut, and the only thing seperating it from my sinus is a thin bone. Smoking can weaken this bone and then I will have SERIOUS issues. needless to say I am SCARED to smoke this time around! I really think the meds will keep my mind off it for a while though. Maybe this time I will quit for good!!!!!!!
Hang in there Tim!
i was told 24 hours for one wisdom tooth.
but im still afraid to smoke even with
wet gauze or a tea bag.
@ Tiffany, try not to smoke for two more days 🙂
I just went in today and had a root extracted… the tooth had previously broken off.. so all that was left was the root, had an infection because of it and horrible pain. As far as smoking they told me not to do it for 24 hours. I noticed a lot of people here were told 48 hours and above. So is 24 hours enough to wait? after all that is what he told me. By the way i’m doing great, no pain at all 🙂
@ Lucy, yes please try 48 more hours.
so i got 2 top and 2 bottom wisdom teeth taken out on tuseday, and i was wondering if i could start smoking again…my swelling is not to bad my left cheek is more swollen the my right but i thing that is from the type of extraction. the doctor never came and talked to me afterwords while i was in recovery and that seemed odd, so i never learned how long it was estimated to take to get back to normal. please help.
I just had my tooth extracted on a Sunday morning. I totally didn’t know I wasn’t supposed to smoke and had one cigarette Monday morning until my friend told me I shouldn’t smoke. I can start smoking when the weekend comes right?
Anyways, is it normal to feel a pain that seems like I’ve been bruised on my chin? It’s around the area where the tooth was extracted. And what can I do to reduce the pain?
@ Nadia, anti inflammatory painkillers (Advil or Motrin, etc) should work best.
THANK YOU for all your advice! I had a sneeky cigarette yesterday following my dental traumas, but after looking at your website I’m determined to be strong for a couple of days now! XXX
@ SSejy, glad I could be helpful 🙂
Hi,
I got all four wisdom teeth removed a month ago. A couple of weeks after the surgery, I suffered from infection. I went to see the surgeon yesterday and he made an incision and cleaned out the infection and am also on more antibiotics. They advised me not to smoke for a week. Is this true? Is it the same healing process as the extraction?
Emilie, the same thing happened to me when I removed my wisdom teeth. I had to go back 2 weeks later, they reopened and drained.
And yes, you should not smoke after any types of surgery in your mouth.
My oral surgeon told me I could have coffee or tea as soon as the numbness wore off and told me there was no need to worry. Thank God, without coffee and cigarettes after being traumatized yet again, I’d have been homocidal!
Operster,
Sorry I was away from the blog for a few weeks and wasn’t here to follow your story. I hope all is ok now.
Hi Cyberanto,
Thank you for the good wishes-I am keeping my fingers crossed and keeping the socket clean! Any suggestions on what would be a good gift for an oral surgeon?
Well, I went back to the oral surgeon today after having the socket packed twice and he told me the packing had come out over the weekend. He said it was nearly healed and preferred not to pack it as the packing does impede the healing a bit and I can tolerate the discomfort now after getting through the weekend. It still hurts when I talk (which I have to do in my job) but only sometimes-apparently if I say the words too hard or in such a way as to allow air in the socket-but it is nearly healed now. In retrospect, I think I got the dry socket on the seventh day after having sneezed the night before, but I think perhaps it was partially healed at that point and that’s why it only hurt intermittently. The oral surgeon was wonderful-he actually encouraged me to go ahead and smoke because I was so stressed and he said after the dry socket developed I might just as well as the worst had already happened and it wouldn’t make all that much difference. Apparently everything is now healing along and there is only a little bone still exposed and he felt that some of the continued pain is probably from the tooth next to it where the lower part is exposed because of the socket, so it may be like that for a bit until the socket fills in more. This guy was great, though, and treated me as a smoker without making stupid statements like you might as well quit since you shouldn’t smoke for a few weeks (like his partner who was covering when I went in for the first packing). I wish all oral surgeons and dentists could be more understanding like he was. I’m going to buy this guy a Christmas present!
Thank you to Emmaniel for trying to be such a dentist-one with a heart who sees smokers as people rather than difficult or stubborn-it’s reassuring to know there are some can evaluate a patient as an individual and not just a tooth!
Okay, I keep reading about not rinsing the first day after a tooth extraction, i rinsed the 1st day because I bled so much that I needed that taste out of my mouth, and I seem to be fine so far, I had it done Friday afternoon at 4:30 (which ruined my halloween) and its not Monday, is it okay to smoke? because I have had 2 all day so far and i just keep rinsing with salt water?
Julia, after 3 days yes you can smoke.
Hi, i had a wisdom tooth out at 11 o clock this morning and got told i couldnt smoke for 3 days
but i give into tempation and have had 2 since, its now 6 o clock! After reading about dry socket i will try harder what are the chances in getting dry socket?!
I’m resolving this issue for my fellow smokers.
How do I smoke without getting dry socket?
Dry socket is a gamble, it happens to non-smokers even if they follow every care instruction possible.
With that being said, you can’t stop dry socket, you can only improve your chances of not getting it.
Dry socket is also now, very treatable, with the strong-medicated dressings now available.
Pre Extraction:
1. Bloat on both food and water, you won’t be eating for a day.
The food consumed during an unhealed extraction has a tendency to bond with the blood beginning to clot.
This will both make you bleed much longer, increase the rare chance of infection and yes– you guessed it, dry socket.
2. Clean your mouth thoroughly I.E, brush your teeth more than once, scrape your tongue, clean gums, FLOSS and finish with an anti-bacterial mouthwash.
Post Extraction:
3. Smokers have poorer abilities to generate clots to begin with so they’re disadvantaged from the start.
In basic particle science, heat causes matter to change state to a less viscous one.
That means the heat from the cigarette smoke won’t ‘dry’ the liquid blood and turn it into a solid scab (like freezing water) but just distrupt the static process of forming a blood clot by increasing particle speed.
Therefore, apply a cold pack to your face over non-frustrating intervals.
The cold will help counteract the evaporative effect of the smoke and condense the liquid blood to a solid state (scab).
Because the extraction site will only bleed for a certain amount of time.
If it clots in a way that doesn’t cover it, dry socket.
4. The chemical effects of the smoke acting in the same way as the food.
While we can’t affect what the cigarette is actually doing on the inside, we can ensure the smoke doesn’t corrupt the outside site.
We will therefore be wearing gauze in a way that ensures it is used in half an hour intervals and replaced at the end of our smoke.
The gauze will protect the site from the smokes heat effects and corrosive effects.
Even thou gauze is usually only worn for 20 minutes to an hour, we’re smokers and it might take us all day to form clots.
Combine our poor ability with the cigarette’s distruptive scab weapon and you can see why other dentists assign the 4 day rule.
Gauze works best dry, which is why I recommend the half hour interval change.
It will ensure you can smoke every half hour and optimise the guaze’s purpose.
5. Smoking technique.
Some of you already picked up on this.
Smoke it like you’re breathing air, it reduces suction and won’t distrupt the scab as much.
Consider also switching to an ‘easy-draw’ cigarette over the time.
Follow this guide and you’ll significantly stop your chances of getting a dry socket.
To stop it entirely, not even a non-smoker can do it.
This guide is more aimed at over-the-chair extractions and isn’t a great idea to do after a surgery but would still improve your chances if you were to just smoke normally.
How do I know this?
I’m a dentist who recently had 6 teeth out himself, the first 3 all amounted to dry sockets, even with my dental knowledge.
My next 3, benefited from both my new found personal-professional knowledge and of course, bending the rules.
A smoker will smoke regardless.
Why are my comments showing up out of sequence and why can’t I get any response? It keeps saying awaiting moderation?
On the 7th day following the second extraction in the same socket (to remove the root tip which was actually finally found in the soft tissue by my lip anyway) I started having shooting pains in the area. They are treating me now for a dry socket although saying it doesn’t usually happen that far out after extraction. There is no sign of infection and my sinuses were okay (the extracted tooth was very near the sinus cavity) and can’t give me any real sense of how long this will take to heal and have advised me again not to smoke. What’s the point now if I already have a dry socket? Is it just to insure that I am as miserable as I can possibly be?
Alrighty… had 2 right molars (one upper, one lower) gingerly removed by my able dentist. That was Monday, it is Wednesday, 48 hours later, but who’s counting… I was advised no spitting (now what am I to do with my free time…) no sucking through a straw, no carbonated drinks, no booze, no cigarettes. To top the festivities, I had 4 fillings and a root canal done last week too, so I’ve been on a steady diet of mushed anything since. To recap, I’m now petrified of dry socket, starving, withdrawing lightly (didn’t smoke much to start with), drooling on command, and last but not least very concerned for my husband’s safety, the guy is a saint. Who wants to dance???? Anyhoo, now that I am good and paranoid, I have a dull pain on my cheekbone area under my right eye and by my jaw “joint” only. Kind of like when you laugh for so long your jaws hurt. No pain at upper extraction site. I do have some discomfort at tooth in front of lower extraction site, but again, not AT lower extraction site. I have two lil’ questions… One, I’d like to know when and if I’m out of the woods from getting dry socket (I’ve read 2 days to 2 weeks) so that I can have a quick smoke (and my saintly husband can live happily ever after), and two, when I look at extraction site, what am I looking for? I have two holes at the lower extraction site (the two roots I suppose?), one has a dark clot, the other one had a dark clot Monday and is covered in white stuff now (Wednesday). What am I supposed to see in days 1-2-3-4-5 in the extraction area? Trying to find some pictures online, no luck. Also pondering how long from extraction time until a bridge can be placed? Thank you for your time in advance.
Sincerely Happily Miserable,
Kena
Hello Cyberanto,
I got a absessed tooth removed @ 8:00 a.m. on Tuesday, Oct 20, 2009. It’s now 1:50 AM on Thursday, Oct 22, 2009. When will it be okay for me to start smoking my mental cigarettes? I don’t want dry socket.
My mouth has healed for the most part… It looks a little white inside the socket, is that normal? I’ve not smoked, caused suction or anything. All I’ve done is accident cough and drink hot soup.
I need to know if I’ll be okay, and when it’s okay for me to smoke a cigarette. Even if it’s just one. I’ve been taken my anti-biotics as told, along with Lortabs for the pain. No more bleeding.
Any advice? Thanks 🙂
-Toney.
Went to an oral surgeon today who finally got this thing out! It had been pushed out of the socket apparently and into the soft tissue and was in there which is why my cheek swelled up and was so tender. I’m relieved it is finally out and this guy was pretty cool and told me to wait 48 hours before smoking which is at least a bit more reasonable, but I had a lot of bleeding this time. Hopefully this is the end of the saga for me and I hope any other smokers needing a tooth extraction will take the precaution of seeing an oral surgeon so you can get it all done the first time! Best of luck to everyone and I hope that you will publish my comments to share with others.
Hey i had my upper left wisdom tooth removed about 4pm yesterday evening and now its half 5 the next day…is it ok to somoke yet? Im craving so much for a cig its unbelievable x
Hi, I really need some ressurance here. I just had an upper molar extracted on tuesday afternoon and it is now friday evening. It wasn’t a good extraction apparently as there is still a small root that remained because it was very close to the sinus membrane. The dentist put in 2 stitches and left the small root where it was and sent me home-apparently I was bleeding adequately. I didn’t smoke for the first 20 hours and then only barely a couple of puffs (barely inhaling with only about a half cigarette) and rinsing with salt water. I can barely function without smoking or having coffee (avoiding hot liquids) and I’ve been coping by sleeping whenever I can just to get through the days. I’m eating only soft foods and nothing hot-just luke warm soup- and smoking maybe 3-4 cigarettes today by very gently inhaling as I had to go back to work. I’m an emotional basket case and on the verge of tears all the time because I can’t smoke (I’m usually 3 packs per day) and I’m trying to keep the smoking very gentle and minimal until tomorrow when it will be 4 days. I’m terrified that when I see the dentist next week on tuesday to take out the stitches that he’s going to rip it all open again to get that last piece of root and I’ll have to go through this all over again. Please tell me I’m wrong! My cheek is still tender (it hurts to wash my face) and the glands in my throat on that side are a bit swollen, but there’s no real pain at the extraction site. Please tell me I don’t have to get that last bit of tooth out as I cannot go through this again.
I went back to the dentist today and the root tip is still there and they wanted to remove it, but it would have meant literally going through a whole extraction all over again with no guarantee that he’d be able to get it this time (he couldn’t get hold of it last time). I said no and asked for a referral to an oral surgeon because if I’ve gotta go through this all over again I want someone who can definitely finish the job and get it over with! I also need to be able to schedule it at a time when I can take a few days off from work as I was pretty worthless for 3 days after this first round without being able to smoke. I really don’t think this guy appreciates what an impairment that is for those of us who are heavy smokers- I felt like a raw nerve for 3 days and couldn’t concentrate on anything- at least this Blog has helped to give me a time frame of how long not to smoke (4 days appears to be the consensus of when it is safe to minimize the risk of dry socket) when I couldn’t get a straight answer from the dentist. My cheek is still swollen and tender because of this root tip, but I can tolerate that better than not smoking-I really wish dentists would try and appreciate how difficult this is for a smoker and not just dismiss concerns with “when it has healed” and actually have a conversation about the degree of risk if you smoke after 1 day, 2 dys, 3 days, etc. instead of being vague or black and white on the issue. As patients we really deserve better information in order to make informed decisions rather than treat us like we are just uncooperative because we ask questions. It’s hardly informed consent when you aren’t given any options or parameters. I hope that any dentists reading this Blog will develop a bit more understanding and empathy for what’s involved when they deal with a smoker and appreciate that we ask questions about relative risks because we need to weigh consequences, not because we are argumentative.
Hi,
I had a tooth extracted on monday, it is now friday.
I tried to smoke earlier today, only to feel a stinging pain the moment I took my first drag. However, reading this forum it seems that the general idea is that 48 hrs after the extraction it’s “ok” to smoke? I am way past that, should I be worried?
The extraction site seems pretty normal, it’s all pink with the white stuff in the middle, which I assume is the blood clot and a slight darker red border around that.
Also, how long does the pain last in most “normal” circumstances? It’s day 4 now but there’s still a considerable amount of pain, just enough to make it uncomfortable to eat solid food or open my mouth to yawn or anything like that.
Not sure if maybe I am just overreacting and this is normal or if I should pay my dentist another visit.
Thx for any feedback you might have!
Thanks for this question. Me I am not a smoker but I love my cigars. It has been about 5 days. Boy do I really want a cigar tonight. Will have to be careful!
its been 96 hours since oral surgery should i smoke a cigarette its not my wisdom teeth i was born without them it tooth number 31 i believe maybe just one would be fine for me ive taken really good care of my tooth i have oral rinsed everyday twice a day please need some kind of advice and i know smoking is bad and shouldnt do but do you think it would be find if i smoked a cigg
how do you get dry socket three and four days after surgery that does not make any sense i have read alot about it and seen no scientific facts to make it true.its the way you take care of your surgery wounds if you smoke the day of and cont. prolly get dry socket wait a couple days take care of yourselfs u should be fine.if you get all four wisdom teeth out its your own fault if you get dry socket from smoking i mean come on you have holes in your mouth let the wounds heal.the doc tells u not to smoke cause its very bad for you duh, all you smokers grow up and chill you will smoke again depending on the number of teeth taken out its goes from 3 to a week before u can smoke.make your own judgement on things you are all adults,im a smoker too but not wineing the first two days suckkkkked but after that its fine just go for a walk breathe clean air anyways peace out
All this info has been very helpful. Thank you to everyone who’s commented or answered. I am a smoker, But after reading everyone’s comments I think I will hold off for a few more days. However my question is… WHEN CAN I HAVE COFFEE?!
ok two years ago i got my tooth pulled the next day i was chewing tobacco nothing happen,just got another tooth pulled like 48 hours ago and am craving a cigg.many ppl tell they smoked the day of tooth being pulled.based on my experience the only ppl that get dry socket our ppl who sneeze,cough to much or to hard or smoke way to much in the first place my question is how do you ppl get dry socket in the first place it doesnt make any sense to me.i know ppl r different but come on we are all humans.question number 2 like i said its been like 46-48 hours since my last cigg i cant take it anymore but willing to wait maybe till 2marrow i guess i dont understand how ppl get dry socket,i understand maybe with three or four teeth taken out but i got only one and it was a molar(i was born with no wisdom teeth) anyways nobody really explains how they got dry socket they just say that they have it.sorry i dont know what my real question is but thats my experience and i need a cigg. thanks
Had my four wisdom teeth extracted 4 days ago. Ended up getting dry socket even though i didn’t smoke while I was recovering. Just got my bad socket re-filled with the medicated gauze. Can i have a cigarette now, assuming not, but want to know.
Had a tooth extracted today The other one has to much infection, Taking 875 anpicillian 2 times a day. Doc said in three days we can pull out the other.Then the following week I get all new grill put in. 12 hours I smoked after the first extraction,,Now thanks to what Ive read Iam rinsing with water and salt/peroxide, Good feedback all-Goodluck
Jim, thank you for sharing your experience.
Two days now and I’m craving more than ever. I’m going to stick it out and just quit though I think as this seems like the perfect time to just drop this stupid habit of mine and stick to the herbage.
Jordan,
If, like you said, you just quit the habit, it would be the best thing you can do!
Hello, I’ve read this entire forum from top to bottom and it was very helpful. I have severe dental phobia and refrained from going to the dentist for months despite *hold your breath, double-over, mind-numbing pain*. Just recently i finally gave in and went, and had an upper wisdom tooth removed as well as a bottom back molar (it was cracked in half by the impacted wisdom tooth below). I knew nothing about the 72 hour rule, my dentist gave me a piece of paper saying it was merely advisable to wait 24 hours. I had it done Friday morning, its not late wednesday evening and i’ve had nothing more than occasional twinges of pain (usually if i find myself yelling at my three year old). I have what i believe is the blood clot (started out black and eventually turned to a white color) visible over the molar and it gets smaller and smaller each day. As tomorrow will be day 6, would you say its safe to assume that i am free and clear of dry socket? I’ve been so scared I still haven’t eaten anything more than mashed potatoes..and rip the filter off cigs so i barely have to inhale. Another question i have is this: i know it takes months before the bone to heal and everything, but how long does it usually take for the blood clot to go away and the hole to be covered by the gums, or tissue..whatever? Any feedback would be so appreciated..as im so very tired of mashed potatoes and smoking filterless, not to mention simple tired from waking up all night in terror =)
Michelle,
Usually dry socket occurs around the fourth day after extraction. Therefore, after 6 days it is usually safe that it won’t happen.
By the way you have a nice writing style 🙂
Thank you for responding =) Its been a week now and things are slowly getting better.
Haha thanks, I write novels for a living 😉
Hello, I have been smoking since i was 13 years old, i am now 22. I had my upper left wisdom tooth out yesterday at 11, i am a big smoker, i smoke about a pack a day. i had a few drags off of a cigarette today, i put wet gauze in and rinsed with salt and water after, but im still scared of dry socket. I was just wondering, and i know you probably wouldnt recommend it at all, but when would you say it would be safe for me to smoke again? Also, drinking alcohol, what are the rules on that?
@Nicole,
It is ok to smoke three days after your wisdom tooth extraction. About drinking alcohol, it is not advised to do so if you have an antibiotic or pain killer prescription, and the drugs cannot be mixed with alcohol.
I had all 4 wisdom teeth removed and I am a smoker. I had them removed on Wednesday and it is now Saturday. When do you think I can start smoking again? Keeping in mind I still have stitches in my mouth so there is still 4 holes.
Bradie,
After four days it is ok to smoke, even if you still have stiches.
I just had all 4 wisdom teeth pulled yesterday and I can’t wait to have a cig again. It sucks not being able to smoke a cig, it’s a complete torture!
I had my back bottom molar pulled yesterday (24 hours ago); I smoked about an hour after the extraction and didn’t realize that it was bad to do that. I won’t have anymore cigs or use straws, but the jaw and area around extraction is throbbing; is this normal?
Carolyn,
The throbbing is normal.
All this talk about blood clots and dry sockets has me worried… I had my top back tooth taken out on Tuesday afternoon… I am a smoker, but have taken only a few puffs since the removal of my tooth… since I realize how we can tell if we have a dry socket, how about how can we tell if the blood clot is in there and forming correctly?
I noticed that you said dry socket happens usually day 3-5 and tomorrow will be day three and on day 4 and 5 my dentist is closed. I don’t wanna be in pain with no where to go to help… should I go in tomorrow and have him look at it or is there a way I can tell if the clot is forming correctly?
Hello-
I had two back bottom molars removed today. I always do well with extractions, never have problems. I noticed when I took out the gauze after returning home, that there was a blood clot STUCK TO THE GAUZE! I continued to bleed lightly, sans gauze, for a few hours. Do you think a new clot has formed to replace the one that was stuck to the gauze? I’m freaking out!
Don’t freak out, it’s something that can happen.
okay, so like…my friend is a smoker, he just got two of his molars pulled to make rooms for his braces. he just got them pulled today. he really, REALLY wants to smoke! ive read most of this forum, and i told him that its risky, but he should wait at LEAST 48 hours. he was gonna put his wax for his braces in his holes! i told him no…will that prevent the clot from forming? or will that remove the clot that was there?
Stephanie,
Please tell your friend not to put wax in the sockets as it can compromise the formation of the clot, cause dry socket and even infection.
Hi I had a wisdom tooth and a second molar extracted on saturday it is now tuesday and I have this pain that feels like my teeth are being shoved up is this normal???
Jeff,
It might be dry socket, please have it checked by your dentist. He or she can put a medication in the socket to make it better.
Ok, even after reading all of this, I am still going to ask my question. I had all four of my wisdom teeth and the #19 molar removed on July 15th. Today is July 27th. My oral surgeon said he had real difficulty with my bottom teeth, mainly the molar. He even cut along the inside, in turn making it very very sore for me to use my tongue to talk and to swallow for the first 4-5 days. While everything has been healing as normal, the #19 socket hole is white. Is that the gums healing over?
I have not had a cigarette yet, and was wondering if I am in the clear to not get dry socket.
Meesha,
The white stuff in the socket of your tooth #19 can be either the blood clot, plaque, or food that you ate. I would recommend to rinse your mouth with water and salt in case it’s food or plaque that is hard to wash out.
Had my wisdom tooth out on tuesday so has been 48 hours now. It is still slightly bleeding, very stiff and when I wake up quite painful, enough to take ibruprofen. My question is this the normal amount of pain I should be getting or might there be an infection? I haven’t done anything I shouldnt have, I haven’t smoked at all, only eaten soft foods, started rinsing after 24 hours, no straws nothing.
Rochelle,
After two days it is normal to have enough pain to take ibuprofen. If the pain becomes more intense, then it is is advisable to see your dentist for possible dry socket.
Hey cyberanto my name’s Andrew and I had a Wisdom Tooth Extraction Monday afternoon the 27th and have only smoked one cigarette 4 days after I was wondering how long til I can smoke normally without the risk of dry socket and when can I go back to normal lifestyle? thanks
Andrew,
After four days, it is ok to go back to normal lifestyle. You might feel a bit of swelling though, but that will go away.
Thank you Sir I really appreciate you taking the time to reply to my question God Bless you and Goodbye
I had my bottom two wisdom teeth out and was told not to smoke for 48 hours but waited 5 days. I used nicorette (uk name) patches. i dunno wat they are called in the usa, or if it is the same name. I used the strongest of 25mg for 5 days and carried a straw with me and played with it in my lips as sort of a replacement for my hands and mouth. It really worked though i do have to admit I was still excited about the cirgerette on the 5th day! But it really helped. I know its hard its still difficult but much more barable. So I think its the best option, no dry tooth and nicotine all in one.
Thanks Louise for sharing your thoughts and recommendations.
why does the dentist only give 20 hydrocodone after i got 4 wisdoms pulled and the bottle says take 1 every 4 hours? i took 7 the first day 8 the second day and 5 the last day…no refills allowed and i’m still in pain. i’d say its b.s.
Ryan, you might have dry socket. Maybe you can contact your dentist to have it checked and he or she can prescribe you more pain killers if needed.
I had one of my lower first molars extracted on Friday (today is Monday) and my dentist put a dressing coated in antibiotic ointment into the socket to prevent infection. I went back for a check-up today and although everything seemed to be healing nicely, she put another piece of dressing with antibiotics in after removing the old one. I am getting this one removed in a couple of days. What I’m wondering is whether the dressing can have prevented the socket from healing to such a degree that I should consider it open once I’ve had the dressing removed? If I get the dressing taken on Wednesday it will have been six days since the extraction, but since I am absolutely terrified of getting a dry socket, should I avoid smoking, drinking through straws etc. just as I would if I had extraced the tooth the same day?
Also, since I was in for a check-up today, would the dentist have noticed if there was any sign of potential dry socket in the next few days?
Fuchsia,
After 6 days, the risks of having dry socket are very little and almost none, even if you have an antibiotic coating in your socket. Therefore I wouldn’t really worry about it.
Thank you very much for your reply, sir.
Im all healed up! Thanks cyberanto 🙂
hi,on 29th june i had the remainder of my top teeth extracted and dental implants inserted on the same day.Day 1 and 2 were what i’d expected,swlling and pain but day 3 onwards i can’t begin to describe the agony i’ve been in.I’m still off work and havn’t slept thru the night since,my life has been consumed by this pain(by the way i’ve 3 kids and normal pain threshold)Afte visits back to dentist who assures me implants are fine i can only think its the extraction sites.I’ve been on 2 lots of antibiotics and am finally on very strong painkillers which help(oxycontin)After endless nights unable to sleep and trawling the internet for help,i think it’s dry socket,though my dentist hasn’t said this.As the implants cover the gum,i can’t have sites packed and have been left to get on with it.The moral of this story is,i’m a smoker which MUST have aided this awful condition.Hopefully time will heal as i’m at my wits end.If you can stop,though i know how hard it is. Cheers JEnnie x
For those who don’t know about dry socket, watch this video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G44GOArVAjg&feature=channel… i hope this will help…
Yes, the video explains dry socket very well, thank you Rotund Jere.
Hey, i have gotten one of my lower left molars extratced on july 7th. It is now july 10th. Its been three days.. i haven’t even touched a cigarette since the morning of the extraction. Is it safe to smoke? Im diein!
Thanks for your response.
Matt,
After three days, it is considered safe to smoke. Therefore to avoid dry socket, it is ok for you to smoke. But forgive me, I must add the comment that I recommend to consider to stop smoking eventually, not for your molar extraction, but for your health in general.
Hi,
I’ve had a number of tooth extractions and one surgery, but this one was the worst. The wisdom tooth extraction went off fine – no pain. I reached home in an hour, and then everything went wrong. I ate some hot food like an idiot as i had to take antibiotics. then i smoked. the pain in my gums — a kind of intense throbbing — began and went on for a whole day. My dentist told me he had to re-initiate bleeeding so that the clotting takes place properly this time . So now i have stitches in the empty cavity and i’ve been told to avoid smoking, aerated drinks and hot beverages for 48 hours. what happened to me? i was in too much pain to ask my dentist then.
Angelikeme,
It sounds like you have had dry socket. Thank you for sharing your experience and I hope you will feel better soon.
this post is the best!
just had my left wisdom tooth removed this morning. the pain is still there. probably due to the stitches since they had to carve up my gums to remove the dang thing.
dentist never mentioned anything about dry sockets. just told me the basic stuff like no hot beverages, don’t gargle. good thing i looked it up online to find out about this dry socket thing. heck, it’s the only thing keeping me from finishing a pack to get through the day. however, have to swallowing quite a bit of a saliva. does that count as sucking par say? i can’t really just leave it there to dribble out on its own can I?
sigh…i can hardly wait to taste that minty nicotine…
Fiend,
Swallowing your saliva is ok. But if you have too much saliva in your mouth (or even blood) and need to spit it out, it’s better to let it drop off your mouth instead of spitting it out of your mouth.
And Fiend, thank you for liking this post and glad it was helpful 🙂
I WANT A SMOKE!
ok here’s my situation:
I had all 4 wisdom teeth taken out very early friday morning, 6/19. They weren’t infected or anything, only causing me discomfort. The dentist said it was an easy extraction. I do not smoke-never have- and have not drank alcohol since. Ive taken the full perscription of anti-biotics, before and after extraction. I made sure to keep the gauze in and apply pressure for a few hours after the extraction. I only ate soft foods the first 2 days. I stopped icing it when they told me-6 hours after. I used a straw once on the 3rd day, thats it. The stitches came out today- day 6 since the extraction, and they said they’re healing well.
I just really want to know a few things.
1) Am i at any risk for a dry socket or infection at this point and forward?
2)What is the healing process once the sutures are out and how long does it take?
3) How cautious should I be of the area? What precautions should I be taking here on out?
I realize I should just call my dentist and ask these things- but he’s an ass quite frankly, and told me I am just being a hypochondriac. I just want answers, not to be ridiculed.
@ Meg,
Dry socket usually occurs 3-5 days after tooth extraction, so you are not at risk anymore. You do have very small chances of getting infection, but I wouldn’t consider it.
About the healing process, the gums heal 1-2 weeks after the extraction. That’s the time you should rinse with water and salt. The bone takes 3 months to heal complete, but you should feel discomfort during that time.
Hope this helps!
Hi just had a top left molar removed and a plastic plate fitted with the tooth, onmce the anaesthetic wore off I went and smoked 4 ciggies in three hours until I read this site..now I am stopping until friday..is there anything I need to look out for? Aimz said about septacemia earlier is this really a possibility? the dentist did not advise advise about blood poisoning. gad!
@ Rhiana,
If you smoked 5 cigarettes without knowing, that is ok. Smoking increases your chances of getting dry socket, but you don’t get it automatically from smoking. About septacemia, it is something that is very rare, and when the dentist suspects infection, he or she usually prescribes antibiotics.
i had 3 wisdom teeth removed around 12 30, on Thursday June 18th. It is now 10 30 on Monday June 22nd and i have yet to smoke a cigarette. I have smoked nothing since and have been able to eat a lot of solid foods, so i think my mouth is healing up nicely. Would ONE cigarette today put me at risk of a dry socket?
by the way, it was two top teeth and one bottom, not sure if it matters
@ Dylan,
It’s best not to smoke at all. Yes one cigarette can make harm.
i had my top right wisdom tooth extracted two days ago, it had 4 roots. i used a straw with the first hour, but very carefully and on the left side. i removed the gauze, but it was still bleeding. after that, i read about the whole dry socket thing and have been pretty good about it. i do smoke, but recently have stopped smoking all together just because of the inconvenience. because i’ve stopped smoking, my respiratory system has started to clean itself out (mucus coughs in the morning and throughout the day). i really don’t want a dry socket, but i would like to smoke. I’m not going to smoke for another two days. with my circumstances, do you think i would be able to smoke after the next two days?
Loki, yes you can smoke after two days. But if you stopped, why start again?
anto,
firstly thanks so much for your blog and the patience you display in replying 🙂
got my wisdom removed today, the dentist told me he had a lot of trouble getting the roots out as they were very long and nearly touching my sinus. Anyways, its all out now :). Am a heavy smoker (30 a day) and have been for nearly 24 years. i have managed to stop for a day max when i have been sick, but never otherwise. This time I really do plan to stop fully.
Really have had enuf of screwing around with my health and want to see what is life like for a non smoker. And dry socket is a great excuse to make a beginning.
@ Raghuram Iyer,
I am very glad that you took this decision to stop smoking. It will help prevent dry socket, but most of all it will let you have clean lungs too.
And also, thank you for your nice words 🙂
hi had my 2nd in from the back tooth extracted i think its a molar dont know on monday morning at 9.20 im a heavy smoker for my age 17. i managed to go yesterday without one but ended up in tears as i was so stressed. my family who live at home are all smokers aswell and at college all my friends are smokers so i cant really get away with it. i again feel like im going to burst into tears over the slightest thing as i want a fag so much would it be ok to have one now as i dont know how much longer i can wait. i know its only a few hours till itll be 72 hours but i want to check before i do anything. also bits of the flesh are breaking away when i rinse my mouth out is this normal? i am doing it very gently as this is what my dentist said but he said nothing about smoking.
@ Chrissywiss,
I understand your problem. Some dentist recommend to wait 48 hours before smoking, others say 72 hours. If I understand correctly, you have passed 48 hours and you are almost reaching 72 hours. You are therefore at a point where it is considered safe to smoke.
About the bits of flesh that are breaking apart, they might be sutures, or they might be food particles that were stuck in the hole where the tooth was, so I wouldn’t worry about it, just continue to rinse with water and salt.
I just got three wisdom teeth removed at about 8am yesterday morning. The dentist was so nice, but then again he told me that there was NOTHING I could do to make the healing slow, or hurt myself more.
I am not a cigarette smoker, but I do smoke cannabis. Would it be advised to pack my bowl loosely so I do not cause suck suction problems? What if I pack my extraction sites with wet gauze while I smoke, remove them when I’m done, and keep my mouth moist with liquids (to avoid cottonmouth)? I have heard this works, but I would like a second opinion.
If suction is a problem, why did the doctor tell me to chew gum almost immediately after my tooth extraction? I do realize it will help my jaw to remain in constant motion, but if he even knew slightly that I could chew the gum on the extraction site and ultimately cause a dry socket, why would he tell me to do it? I’m not saying neither you guys or the doctor is an idiot. I’m just stating that he knows what he’s doing, right?
@ Missy,
I truly advise you not to smoke anything for three days. Your dentist seems very competent to me.
I really wouldnt smoke until he says. The whole reason I still havent smoked was from pure fear. A friend got dry socket and let me tell you lol.. You really wanna hold it off until its safe.
I havent smoked since I had the tooth extraction, so kind of a blessing really but I’m curious. Last Saturday I used a straw to drink and it felt very weird where I had the tooth removed it didn’t hurt but it felt really odd. Is this normal? If so, is it advised not to smoke/use straws at all until its completly healed?
Thank you for your time Cyberanto.
Doomvoid,
You can use a straw after 72 hours, the same as smoking. Complete healing of tooth extraction takes 3 months, but usually you can go back to your normal habits after three days.
Check this link.
I just had my top left and bottom left wisdom teeth pulled out on Thursday(6-11-09) at noon. Had no complications, swelling, pain, etc,…It is now Saturday 5:15pm. I am a smoker and tried my best to hold off but now I need one. Crazy drysocket articles on the internet sound worse than getting shot in the face with a gun. Can I smoke? Some sites say after 12hrs, others, 48-72, and even 2 weeks. I just want one. It will hold me off for a few days. Any high risk of “drysocket”, seriously??
@ Mike,
72 hours is usually a safe period.
i broke my jaw and i needed surgery to have it put back into place, also i had several of my wisdom teeth removed. my mouth is wired shut to hold everything in place but the situation here is the fact that i smoke weed and cigarettes. since the surgery which was four days ago i havent smoked any cigarettes knowing that they contain chemicals which can be harmful, but i did smoke some weed here or there my question to you is will i be affected or infected by smoking weed during the healing process?
Smoking weed is as harmful as smoking cigarettes.
Not being a smar@ss but marijuana is non toxic according to drugscience.org and tons of other informational sites so it is not bad for you other than you spending your money on it. Plus I just saw a show last night on National Geographic about pot with that Lisa Ling lady and it was stated that there was no recorded document in medicinal history of anyone dying or have died or any medical problems directly related to weed. I dont smoke it but have family members that have for over 50 some years and they are healthy as anyone else. Keep smoking man, enjoy life. I’m willing to bet that if you got some vicodin or percocet from your doc, it has about 10 different side effects ranging from nausea to brain hemorrhage. Doesn’t sound any better 🙂
Chris, weed will not kill you and you have certainly stated the good sides of it, omitting the bad sides. But if we concetrate only on smoking marijuana or smoking cigarettes after tooth extraction, you will increase the risk of having dry socket. And yes, nobody dies from dry socket, it is just an extremly painful experience that lasts a few days. I have seen people cry from the pain, although nobody died from it… make your own opinion.
i have the same question as taylor, ur alright for a cig after 2-3 days but what about smokeless tobacco? i had my upper 2nd premolar removed 5 days ago but not sure when its safe to have a dip. im not so much concerned with the dry socket since im pretty much past that but im worried about possible infection from the juice from the tobacco.
@ tc2, I’m not sure what is the composition of smokeless tobacco, but I have a feeling that 5 days after is safe (for direct socket infections only). But not sure what it might do to your overall health.
Hi, I’ve had my lower molar extracted from my mouth on the 27th of May. I’m trying to not smoke at all to not get any complications but I keep hearing people saying wait 48 hours, 72, 96, a week, etc. I just need a straight answer please, I’m addicted to smoking, drinking and generally eating a lot of sugary foods and giving this all up at once just not to not get Dry Socket is all good but I really can’t take not being able to do anything when everywhere I go I can smell tobacco smoke and see people smoking. Its really screwing with my mind and its only been 2 days. When is it safe at all to smoke after a tooth extraction and do I need to take any special precautions like a gauze in my mouth etc?
Thank you.
@ Doomvoid,
Wait 72 hours just to be safe.
I’m a bad patient…the second I was out of the office I had a smoke…after having 3 wisdom teeth pulled…what I do is cover area with gauze, have a smoke, take out gauze, rinse with salt water….I’m not saying you can be puff the magic dragon here…but when you really want one…it’s a quick fix…I have yet to have any complications
Im under 18 so i was scared to ask my doctor about tobacco because my mom was in the room, but i got my wisdom teeth removed 72 hours ago and was wondering when it was safe to use smokeless tobacco again. Its killing me.
Taylor,
After three days (72 hours like you said) it is considered safe to smoke.
So I tried smoking out of my nose, alternating nostrils.. It’s weird becuase it did the trick. Though maybe not appealing to some, if you can handle the way it tastes in your sinuses then youre in good shape.. It’s kind of hard becuase you need to plug one nostril and part of your other nostril while youre trying to inhale through the semi-covered nostril, then exhale out of whichever nostril(s) you like… I don’t know how many times I could do that a day, I only smoked half.. But if its the first few hours after the operation like me, then id rather be safe by getting none of the smoke in my mouth rather than having a dry socket… anyways im thinking about smoking a cigg normal tomorrow when I can rinse it well. Ill keep you posted
Mike, thank you for sharing your experience.
Sup everyone, been reading this thread all afternoon since my surgery.. I had 4 wisdom teeth and my #15 molar removed. I smoke a pack a day, and have felt like a fiend ever since i woke up from the surgery… I’ve been doing research and I found the gauze/rinse technique, but i cant rinse untill after 24 hours… after extensive research, at least I found I could smoke cannabis from a bong by sucking it through a straw in my nose… it worked!! That only temped me even more to try smoking a cigg out of my nose… well its only been 5 hours since the surgery but i cant take it.. im gonna try smoking out of my nose. Wish me luck
I had one molar and one wisdom tooth (both on the lower right side) extracted two tuesdays ago. I’m tempted to smoke today but the holes haven’t entirely closed up and I’m troubled by the prospect of infection. Do you think it would be safe to smoke 10 days after the extraction?
@TC
10 days after surgery it is considered safe to smoke. Your holes will take more time before you stop feeling them, up to three months.
i got an infection 😦 am grumbly and in pain and have learnt a valuable lesson
i had a tooth extracted about 12 hours ago. i wasn’t advised about not drinking through a straw and guess what, the first thing i did was drink through a straw as i thought that it would be more gentle (i was obviously wrong) my mouth bled a very small amount about an hour after. also, i am a smoker. i have just had my first cigarette since the procedure then i came across this strain and now am petrified i will get dry socket. i have very gently rinsed with salt water but i am very scared i have given myself an infection. the only pain i am in now is my jaw (due to the yanking out of tooth) but is there anything else i can do to avoid infection. i was not given any antibiotics from my dentist and he advised simply to hold off as long as i could, i though 12 hrs would be ok. any advice?
I had a top molar extracted Friday morning, it is monday night, when would it be ok to drink soda again? i know not from a straw though.
I had a tooth removed last year but had quit at the time and as far as I remember never had a dry socket, although I am rather worried about it this time around as I am a smoker again.
I had a seriously extreme pain all weekend and Today (Monday) had the tooth removed by my dentist. I didn’t read the instructions as I’ve ‘been there, done that’ so to speak but went about 9 hours before having half a rollie, I got half way through it and realised and put it out but also before even having that cig I spat out lots of blood initially when I got home and took the gauze out.
I also naturaly I fidget about in my mouth with my tounge and prod things or suck about so I reckon theres a 80% chance the clot has gone and im gonna be in uber pain once again. Doesn’t help that I’m visiting my parents for a week so I will be 200 miles away from my dentists when the dry socket may or may strike. Then again, it didn’t happen before. :s
I just don’t want any more pain after that weekend, it was like hell! I’ve still not slept properly and still got some aches in my face from when I was in pain. Funtimes.
P.S……..I have read in past comments that it has been said that it is safe to smoke after 3 days. Again, its been 8 for me, still somewhat of an opening, but I am still scared & worried about the smoking. Thanks again! Kym
Hello…I my wisdom tooth pulled last Thursday..(today is 4/3) I had a pretty bad infection that led me to get it removed. Turned out that I needed an additional tooth removed w/ it because the infection spread to the other tooth. It has now been 8 days (almost 9). My husband says there is still it does look like it is closing, but at the same time there is still an opening. I am continuing to rinse my mouth with salt water like 2 or 3 times a day.
My question is….when can I begin smoking again? Should I wait a full 2 weeks? Until the holes are gone? How long does it take for the holes to go away? My surgury went well….the whole thing took about 1/2 an hr. The bleeding wasnt bad at all…and I had normal swelling. I have had basically no pain. I have done everything that my post op. instructions advised me to do. Any advice on this would be helpful. I just dont want a dry socket. Thank you!
hi
thanks for you reply and the info. yes touch wood it seems to have settled down, although the tooth behind it she is keeping an eye on as it has a deep filling and also have a dormant infection the other side, which i am waiting to have removed.
am still getting a bad taste on my lips and mouth and some nerve pain, is this normal after an extraction? the dentist said to have some antibiotics ready just in case i get signs of infection. she also thought i may need to be referred as the nerve pain i felt wasnt right.
thanks again for your reply
jay
erm, i got a molar tooken out this summer; i smoked right after i got home & nothing happened. not even a dry socket. i got a tooth pulled out today in the front. this time, will i get a dry socket? LMAo. im scared
Hi again,
I wrote some time ago, but now something really scary has happened.
My wisdom teeth were extracted on March 4, just over 3 weeks ago. Everything was fine, I didn’t experience any pain or anything. But today, one of my sockets is bleeding. I can see it and I can taste it, but when I rinse with salt water there’s no blood when I spit.
Would you perhaps know what’s going on? I smoked quite a bit yesterday and the day before, but reduced my smoking a lot since my extraction. I was also sort of creating some suction with my tongue to get some food out the socket (gross, I know); I thought it was safe to do that!
Please don’t tell me it’s a dry socket. Isn’t it too late for a dry socket?
Hi,
Thank you for your reply, it seems to be healing up quite well, unfortunatley i have been smoking, but i made sure that i rinsed with salt water after and i’ve only had about 1 a day!! (I’m still a scaredy cat) I think i’m having another extraction in 3 months time, which i won’t be smoking after! Not after all the panic i gave myself with this one!!!!
The aftercare leaflet i have to agree with Jay, it isn’t very helpful, neither was my dentist! As this was my first extraction, i knew nothing of what i could and couldn’t do!! It was pure coincidence that i thought to myself, i’d better check online, see if there’s anything to do with smoking after having an extraction!
So i could quite happily have been smoking away and causing dry socket, and i wouldn’t know why!! I think we should be more informed instead of just being handed a leaflet telling us not to drink and to “avoid” smoking.
Thanks for your help in this matter. I’ll be coming back for sure =)
xx
Hi
thanks for your reply.
i had the extraction on Tuesday, and as i said have been in pain since then, went to the dentist today again and saw a different dentist, who was a bit vague and said he didnt think it was infection, i asked if an xray would be a good idea and show up if it is, but he said it wouldnt it would just show a hole, is that correct?
also he started saying about it not knitting together properly, and i said i had looked it up and was it dry socket, which he said ‘for want of a better word.’ very embarrassing really as i burst into tears whilst there as i have just had enough. i asked about antibiotics incase of infection but he didnt seem keen on that. i just feel he was quite vague, he said the sides looked like they were knitting together ok but not the middle.
he packed it with dressing, which fell out while i was eating my lunch, about half hour after seeing him, he said to come back as and when i need it redressed, and wouldnt estimate how long i would be in pain.
i (touch wood) dont have the classic symptoms of dry socket, as the pain is much the same as it was when i had the infection before the tooth was taken out and i can open my mouth ok.
it is now nearly 48 hours since i had it taken out.
i really want a cig but have resisted so far through pure fear. i know you said that you would recommend not smoking for three days after, but would that still be ok?
by the way the extraction wasnt complicated, just took them more stuff to numb me up than they thought, but it came out very easily, and just not sure if smoking immediately after has caused this problem?
sorry to drone on, just that it has been such a horrible traumatic week and i just wish i felt confident in what the dentist has said.
so i mainly want to know was the dentist correct when he said if i had an xray it wouldnt show up an infection even if there was one?
when would it be ok for me to smoke?
also would the smoking straight after have caused this, and lastly have you any idea why the numbness wore off after 10mins when the dentist said it would be more like 5 hours?
thanks again
Jay
I hope you are doing better today. The dentist is right; if they took an x-ray they wouldn’t see anything really. About the smoking, 3 days following surgery is considered safe.
For the numbness, I tell my patients that the effect lasts about three to four hours. Of course that is an average. Some people’s numbness remains until the next day. Other people start feeling pain during the treatment just 30 minutes after I have injected them, and I would have to numb them again. It all depends of many things: the anatomy of the tooth and the jaw, the degree of nervousness that the patient feels, etc.
hi,
have had a tooth infection which caused me agony for a few days, they tried to take the tooth out but because the injection didnt numb the pain i had to have antibiotics first, these finally started making a difference a day or so before going back to the dentist. anyway finally managed to have my tooth extracted yesterday. almost as soon as i got out i had a cigarette, not realising that i wasnt supposed to. and the numbness of the injection literally wore off in about 15 mins and all the pain came back.
went back to dentist today and they have cleaned out my socket and also put in a dressing soaked in iodine. and said smoking had caused this. (although i really wish they had made that clear at the time) did have an aftercare advice but didnt read it till later and didnt go into much detail only to not drink alcohol for 24 hours and avoid smoking.
i still am in some pain now and am back to taking painkillers again, what i want to know is did the fact that i smoked for the rest of the day after having my tooth extracted delay healing? and should it still be hurting now even though they said the infection is cleared and i am not smoking?
i am quite a heavy smoker but am trying hard to hold out for as long as i can before having one. what would you recommend in my situation?
thanks
Hi Jay,
It depends when you have had your extraction done. Smoking increases a lot the chances of having dry socket, but it is not the only reason. Dry sockets usually occur 3-4 days after your tooth has been extracted, and you usually feel extreme pain, probably more than you are feeling right now.
Put in mind that if you are feeling pain, it is only normal, especially if the extraction was complicated. That kind of pain should be well controlled with the pain killers that you are taking.
What I would recommend is not to smoke for three days after extraction.
Hi,
Ok i’ve been reading this all day! Because i had a tooth taken out this morning and i didn’t think anything of it…i had a cig! Then i decided to look online and see if that was a good idea or not and came across this. I haven’t had a cig since and the clot has been present and visable…
until now!!! I don’t know what’s happened?! It was there and now it’s not?! I’m really worried!! I don’t want to get dry socket!!!! I’m so so worried!!!! Why has it gone?? What’s going to happen now?! What should i do?!
Kay,
It is normal that the blood clot reduces in size a few hours after extraction. So not to worry, unless you start having extreme pain and difficulty of opening your mouth. Smoking increases the risks of having dry socket, therefore if you had just one cigarette, it doesn’t automatically mean you will have dry socket.
Does covering the extraction site with wet gauze help prevent dry socket when smoking after surgery?
Kimpunkrock,
Dry socket can occur from the toxins that are in the cigarette smoke, and also from the succion your mouth does when you inhale on a cigarette. Therefore, even if you cover your extraction site with a gauze, the succion your mouth does when you inhale might still affect your blood clot and cause dry socket.
But put in mind, that after three days, it is much safer to smoke. Of course safer for dry sockets only, and let’s not forget what smoking does to your heart and your lungs.
My dentist told me if I have to smoke, to put a piece of wet gauze over the extraction site. I have done this before and it worked good when the molar was on the bottom, but since the tooth I got pulled 3 days ago was on the top, it is a lot harder to smoke with the gauze in my mouth.
My dentist said 3 days after the extraction you can smoke, but i am still having pain in the site and I am afraid to smoke without putting a piece of wet gauze in my mouth.
Anto!
I listened to your advice and smoked, has been completely okay. I have been rinsing my mouth with mouthwash more often but right now it’s still completely fine.
Also, there are no holes where the teeth came out! It’s strange because it was less than a week ago that they came out. I’ve got one more antibiotic but otherwise I haven’t been taking ibuprofen anymore and can eat everything.
Im not sure, but mine weren’t impacted or weren’t difficult to take out, they came out like normal teeth. But I am supposed the healing has gone so so fast.
Thanks again for the advice.
Sarah
You are very welcome Sarah 🙂
Hey thanks for the advice! Yea my problem isn’t really the smoking, it’s the alcohol and the beer. And of course this is germany so the culture is beer and cigarettes, especially for any special event =). And I’ve been worried because after tuesday I will be traveling for over a week or two so I cannot pop into a dentist if I do actually get a dry socket =(. And the antibotics won’t go well with beer I think so I’ve just been avoiding the scene all together and it sucks because it’s my last weekend.
Thank you again for the advice and information.
Hi.
I’ve been smoking very much in the last weeks (more than one pack per day) due to emotional/mental stress. Well I got all 4 wisdom teeth out last monday. I have had no problems whatsoever with the teeth, and my stitches came out yesterday and I felt even better after that. I can eat almost anything and am still taking the antibiotics, and ibuprofen sparingly (the first two days I took more).
I haven’t smoked since the surgery, and now it’s friday evening. I asked the doctor yesterday when I can smoke and he didn’t say anything and then I said, “next week?” and he said yes. I’ve been using the patch everyday so I haven’t been experiencing withdrawl, but I haven’t been able to go out with friends or drink alcohol or anything. And now it’s the weekend. I can’t even have a going away party, and I’m moving on tuesday.
When is it really safe for me to smoke? I only have two more patches, so tomorrow and sunday. Then on monday it will have been one week since the operation. I’m under stress on monday/tuesday so I don’t know what to do, because if I get a dry socket I’ll be unable to visit a doctor for almost two weeks.
And by the end of next week I’ll be drinking lots of beer and will obviously smoke. Just how long this threat of the dry socket gone???
Hi Sarah,
I understand your concerns. So here is what science tells us about dry sockets. On average, dry sockets occur four days after tooth extraction. Therefore, the first few days are more critical and smoking increases the risks. But now it’s been five days since you have had your wisdom teeth removed. After five days, in my opinion, it is pretty safe to smoke and the risks of getting dry socket are very reduced, almost none.
Your doctor was probably concerned for you and that is why he or she asked you to wait until next week to smoke again.
So have fun on your fun on your going away party this weekend.
But I must add that smoking more than one pack a day will have a long term negative effect on your lungs, heart and health in general. I hope your emotional and mental stress will be taken care of soon, and that you will consider to quit smoking.
Anto.
thankyou for your reply..im a worrier and ask far too many questions!!
i had a tooth out 3 days ago and hav got a few stitches..i am desperate fro a cigarette now but someone told me you can get blood poisoning if you have a cigarette so soon?? is it safe for me to smoke??
Aimz,
After three days, the risk for complications is very much reduced.
Do what your physician tells you. For everyone the time frame can differ. That’s the best way to play it safe.
Thank you Dr Donald, very true.
its going on 48 hours of having my bottom wisdom teeth out. I am a big drinker and quite a big smoker. How much longer until i can start drinking and smoking again?????
Derrick,
After 48 hours it is pretty safe. If you can wait 24 more hours it would be even better.
Cyberanto, thank you very much for responding to my question, and so quickly too! This helped me a lot, I really appreciate it.
Hi!
I got two of my wisdom teeth taken out last week Wednesday (March 4), it’s now March 10. The extraction of both took about 10 minutes. I am a smoker, but not a heavy pack-a-day smoker.
I was in excruciating pain for two months before I got them taken out, so I really don’t wanna mess with the alleged pain of a dry socket.
After these 6 days, am I still at risk of getting a dry socket? Can I have a cigarette now? Can I drink diluted coke? When will I be able to rinse my mouth normally?
Is a yellow ‘bruise’ (as some call it) on the cheek normal?
Oh, and I wear an orthodontic retainer. When do you think I can start wearing it again? I wanna stop my teeth before they decide to spread to all the new space!
Hi Mo,
After 6 days it is safe to smoke. You can drink normally and you should rinse with water and salt to avoid any infections. Only the first day after extraction you cannot rinse.
A yellow bruise on your cheek is normal, it should go in a few days.
About your orthodontic retainer, you should wear it a few hours each day and not wait any longer because your teeth might shift and the retainer won’t hold anymore. You can wear it normally when your dentists says that the healing process is going well.
Hey , I just got my three teeth pulled out on March 3rd…..I was just wondering …can I have a smoke now?
I had a wisdom tooth pulled due to infection this last thursday, so i had a drain tube in till saturday and now just fighiting the wisdom tooth. I am wondering when i can go back to eating normally and suction normally, day wise. 1 week?
Early this week J Sondas, you should be eating normally. There has been exceptional cases where it took up to two weeks after extraction for patients to eat properly, but that rarely happens.
Hi…..I am getting a root canal and 2 molars pulled soon…….so I have to wait at least 48 hours before I can smoke? And up to 4 days……pfft.
I am sure all will be fine Jordan. Good luck!
Hey Mr. Cyberanto. Thanks for the advice and keep up the good work you do on here. It’s funny, I typed my name into Google and brought me back to here. Luckily, my teeth have been healthy, yes I still smoke so I guess I’ll mark this under my favorites button. (Not so favorite if you catch my drift!) Thank you Sir!
hi all – I have been a “pack-a-day” smoker for over a decade now. I had my upper left wisdom tooth extracted about 36 hours ago, and like the rest of you was advised not to smoke. Unfortunately, I am an addict and the Tylenol 3 I was given hardly made me sleepy. So when I absolutely had to smoke after the bleeding had stopped;
**Frowned upon and not advised by the doctors**
i would use CLEAN wet gauze to cover the extraction site and bite down hard enough to create pressure and smoke on the opposite side of my mouth through clenched teeth in short breaths, rather that hard drags. Follow this with a warm salt water rinse. It has worked before but there is no guarantee that it will work again. Every extraction in unique and vulnerable, and the reason antibiotics don’t help is because the dry socket is not considered to be an infection. I have heard of others smoking through the nose..seriously.
However, i still don’t know when I can resume using mouthwash (And spit!) During salt water rinses I’ve just been having to let in drool out of my mouth, I’m already at high risk for dry socket, so I don’t want to push my luck. Also, I guess you’re in real trouble if you happen to cough or sneeze as you could easily disrupt the clot forming (or formed) in the extraction area.
D
1- Tea has tannic acid that helps the bloods clotting.
2- Try not to rince so much if you have had the surgery today. It is recommended to wait 24 hours after you wisdom teeth removal before rincing with water and salt. If food gets stuck in your socket (hole) and you can’t remove it, you can purchase a plastic syringe at the pharmacy that you fill with water and that you inject around your socket to remove the food.
I have a couple of questions I would like to ask. I just had two lower wisdom teeth removed:
1. How does a tea bag helping to clot?
2. I ate some mashed potatoes and it was ok but after there was potato all stuck along my jaw and where i just got wisom teeth removed, so i gently rised with warm water and let the water just run out of my mouth w/o sucking or spitting, that seemed to help. Is this ok to continue?
YA…. I agree with Jim…. this sucks. I had 4 wisdom teeth out 10 years ago and worked out a shot gun plan with a pop bottle. Let it fill up and shoot the smoke into yur lungs…but ya… I would cover the hole with gauze for sure. I JUST had a tooth pulled today about 3 hours ago, and I agree that just saying no (even though we are adults and know it’s bad to smoke for MANY reason) is not a good answer for how to smoke and avoid dry socket. No doctor or dentist or non-smoker will ever tell you that it’s ok to smoke no matter how much you try to force them to. Just won’t happen. Sooooo…. I will tell you what worked for me last time. I had a cigarette waitin’ for the bus cuz I was just plainly pissed off that the tooth was such a pain to pull…took 2 hours… so, ya… no nonsmoker would ever understand why we NEED a cigarette after somethin’ like that. I am takin’ a puff off one an hour VERY VERY lightly and carefully, and then immediately after I change the gauze to prevent any kind of icky stuff from gittin’ in there, I use that chance to drink water or take a pain pill if I have to… I am workin’ on findin’ a pop bottle…looks like I might have to buy one and dump out the soda…hehe Hope this helped. I am not tryin’ to offend the ones that are totally against smoking after an extraction, I am just tryin’ to ease others cravings.
if an adolescent should ask how they can have sex without getting pregnant and your answer is to not have sex, would that be useful? the correct answer is no. a smoker asks how they can smoke without getting dry socket. i don’t know what the correct answer is, but i would like to know, because i am going to smoke despite the potential danger of getting dry socket. i’ve had 3 widom teeth taken out, have continued to smoke and have not gotten dry socket. i have no recollection what i did to avoid the dry socket. so, telling me not to is more likely to result in my doing so. the question is how can i smoke to avoid dry socket? “just say no” doesn’t work for me. (And for non-smokers, just to let you know, smoking is truly more difficult to come off of than heroin. I’ve tried both and succeeded at one.)
so, anyone know how to smoke and avoid dry socket? i got the wet gauze trick. any others?
I just had an emergency tooth extracted yesterday….2 days before the extraction, the pain was so horrible I was in tears, and ibprofen, tylenol nothing worked for the pain. I am a smoker and haven’t smoked since the extraction, and I will do my best to at least wait 5 days. Dry socket does not sound fun and if is going to be just as bad or worse then before I went to get the extraction….waiting sounds like the smart thing to do. Besides at this point I am still in some pain (soreness around the jaw and what not)and it reminds me every second that I have a big hole in there that can get infected and I have to be careful. Thanks for all the stories….just gave me more strength to hang in there.
ive just had two teeth out and i smoked two bout an hour after they were removed, is that ok? because i didnt think anything of it. also after i did smoke a friend told me i might get gum poisoning is this possible?
I just had both of my bottom wisdom teeth out and everything seems to be just fine, I’m a little swollen and sore but from what I’ve heard that’s normal. But I don’t think I can go any longer without a cigarette!! It’s driving me nuts!!! I’m taking anitbiotics isn’t that going to help me from getting dry socket too?
Dear Brittany,
Antibiotics will help prevent infections, they have nothing to do with dry sockets.
Does’nt this suck?
I have been on the couch watching TV for the last two days since I had all four of my wisdom teeth taken out.
I havn’t had a cigarette since the extractions.
I had to have this done over new years time so I really have missed the party…if ya know what I mean.
I can stay strong and this will be over soon.
Day 3 getting started…
Mark
Hang in there Markus, you will feel much better soon!
its a rare thing to smoke and not have a dry socket…. so risk it if u think it wont happen… its rare!
Thats not true i’ve had 12 teeth pulled always still smoked and never had dry socket i know i;m taking a risk every time but scaring people shouldn’t be the way to go either. yes there is a risk but there’s a risk of getting it even if you don’t smoke at all yes your chances are greater smoking but only 1-2 % of people get dry socket. please i’m not saying to smoke but if you’re like me and going to anyways just put gauze over the site this doesn’t stop your chances of getting dry socket but it’s seemed to help me. But if you can quit do i have tried several times and failed.
Hi,
I have had my top left canine out this morning, i had to leave work cos it was bleeding fairly heavly, but i used a ‘old wife’s tale’ teabags. within 45mins of having one instead of the gauze. it stoped the bleeding and has formed a colt over the site. I have had two cigs this evening, but trying to hold back, dry sockets does not sound very nice…..
but i was told i could smoke and put my new ‘plate’ in in 48 hours. Only thing i feel a the mo is a sore point on the roof of my mouth from the injection.
Alixzander,
If you only feel soreness on your palate where the injection was done, it is not really a sign of dry socket. 24 hours after the extraction, it is normal to feel some soreness. It was a great idea to put a tea bag when it was bleeding. If I were you, I would still try not to smoke right away.
Thanks for sharing your experience!
I got wisdom and second molar removed today. I fell asleep and woke and by habit I grabbed a cigarette and began to smoke. What can I do to prevent the complications
Michele, it happened once, try not to do it again and follow exactly your dentist’s recommendations.
Hi Cyberanto,
Thank you for your useful info. Not totally smoking related as i have quit easily over the past 4 days. Can you please answer my following question?…
Im scared of dry socket, how long after an extraction is the dry socket danger gone?
Hi Paul,
Dry sockets usually happen four days (4) after tooth extraction. Therefore, after a week, or seven days, you should be safe! 🙂
No don’t smoke now, wait four days if you can.
If you don’t smoke cigarettes, what do you smoke?
cannabis, derrrrr
No cannabis here der.
four extractions this morning. thank goodness i smoked a bowl of herbage before for the drooling bloody monster ive become. i dont smoke cigarettes. but still about 4 days or so till i can smoke again? what about a vaporizer or herb tea?
Billy, if you haven’t smoked for two weeks, maybe you are not addicted anymore, wouldn’t that be great?
i had one of my molar extracted on November 14th on friday morning. i have not smoked for 2 weeks. is it okay to smoke now? today is the November 28th…
Steve, the symptoms of dry socket are pain, difficulty of opening your mouth, and bad smell and taste in your mouth. It doesn’t always happen after tooth extraction. But the chances of it happening increase a lot when someone smokes.
Hi Paul Di Mamba,
Dry socket happens in average four days after a tooth extraction. So if you want to reduce the chances of complications, try not to smoke for at least four days.
so the answer seems to be about 48 hours.. which is easy for me cos im not a big smoker anyway.. but can there still be complications after 48 hours? i want to make sure i avoid any more dental pain.
I had an extraction and then given a pece of paper entitled `after having a tooth out` it said nothing about not smoking and I smoked a good ten on that evening. Anyone know the first symptoms of dry socket?
I wish you courgage Karina!
it has been 3 days sense my extraction can i smoke yet?
OMG! This is torture! I had an extraction this morning and only right before the procedure I was told not to smoke up to 48hrs to avoid these damn dry sockets… and it’s the freaking weekend… I have to stay in now.. I can’t go out… if I go out, everyone is going out to drink.. which causes me to want to smoke..
Vicodines seem to be making me sensitive for some odd reason.. or maybe its just the fact that I can’t have a cigarette I’m this miserable!
Thank you Mandy, you are totally right!
I had a tooth removed 1 week ago today. I havnt smoked since then, even tho I would love one, a dry socket or infection isnt worth it!
Thank you for sharing your experience Jeff.
One can always tell who the non-smokers are, they seem to think it’s so simple to just not smoke. That being said, from what I hear, dry socket is well worth avoiding, and as such, I have gone my first two and a half days since my extraction without a cigarette. My dentist said to wait three days, and the patch has helped tremendously to get me through it. All the same, I’m looking forward to tomorrow.
Mark and Bundy,
I wouldn’t recommend you guys smoking right away, not after two hours, not even after 15 hours.
Hey Cyberanto, i had a quick question. I had all four of my wisdom teeth taken out on Friday at like 2pm. I had no swelling at all and no pain. none of my teeth were impacted. it took them 15 min to take them all out. and it is now sunday would i be ok to smoke? my only concern is i see white stuff in the holes of where the tooth was, my mom said its the healing process but would it be ok ?
The white stuff is normal. It is ok today. If you can wait until tomorrow even better 🙂
CAN I SMOKE NOW ITS BEEN 15HOURS SENCE MY TOOTH WAS TAKEN OUT
I am a smoker and just had a wisdom tooth out, I was told not too smoke until tomorrow. There was no mention of 24 hours let alone 48 or a week. Shurly if you gave up for a week you could stay off them, the worst would be over by then. I am going to put a wet gauze over the hole and have one only 2 hours after the extraction because I have a real addiction to them, 20 a day. If you can last 24 hours without one you are not addicted and might as well stop altogether anyway. If you need any other free medical advice do not hesitate to contact me, lol 🙂
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.
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 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.
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
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 🙂
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.
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?
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 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.
Just got 4 taken out along with a cyst. I would to hold off until at least 4 to 5 days to prevent bleeding.
would one cigarette stop the clotting?
i had two wisdom teeth removed on thursday it is now the following wednesday. would it be alright to smoke cigs?
Yes Tom, it is ok now.
if you can go that long just quit
True