Can I Smoke After Tooth Extraction?

The short answer is absolutely not. Now, let’s examine the procedure of a tooth extraction dayton ohio first, then visit the healing process. Once we do that we can identify the threatening factors that smoking will introduce to that successful healing process.

The Logistics of a Tooth Extraction

First and foremost understand that extracting a tooth is the last thing your dentist wants to do. They are trained to do everything in their power to help you retain all of your natural teeth. If you experienced an accident that caused some trauma to a tooth and the only solution is to remove the tooth that is outside the original plan. Or if you have an abyss, or a deep cavity, or advanced gum disease; any one of these factors would result in the extraction of the tooth.

The Deliberate Healing Process

There are only two methods of having a tooth removed. That tooth is pulled or if the tooth is impacted oral surgery will be performed to cut the tooth out. Stop for a moment and envision the result. A pulled tooth is literally leaving a hole in your gum line. An impacted tooth might have sutures to close the hole up. In either case, you will bleed easily and the dentist must use gauze and pressure to stop that bleeding. A blood clot then methodically forms. You need to realize that the blood clot is the vehicle or tool for your healing process. You will need to follow instructions on how to protect that blood clot. Smoking does nothing but harm that blood clot.

The Negative Implications of Smoking on the Healing after a Tooth Extraction

The act of smoking actually can introduce several problems to your new blood clot. Your first set of instructions is to wait at least 24 hours before inhaling a cigarette. The sucking action can dislodge that clot and you’ll be back to square one. If that clot is removed you will get a very painful result called a dry socket. You do not want to experience this discomfort.

Smoking can also cause infections and contribute to a longer healing process. The American Dental Association states that healing will be delayed due to the diminished blood supply to the extraction site as the result of smoking. Tobacco products have been proven noxious to a tooth extraction site. This also inhibits healing and increase the risk of infection.

Let the Healing Begin

There are other contributing factors to healing properly and in a timely fashion. You will be advised to avoid heavy physical activity for 24 hours as well as avoiding alcohol and hot beverages. It’s about the blood clot, remember? You will want to not brush the extraction site when you are brushing your teeth. You’ll want to also avoid hard foods that could also dislodge the clot. Sucking any beverage through a straw is off limits as well. This is just as harmful as sucking on that cigarette. If you are looking for a good reason to quit smoking, start at the time of your tooth extraction.

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