Why Do You Need To Avoid Smoking After Wisdom Teeth Removal?

imed22/ August 11, 2021/ Surgery/ 0 comments

Wisdom teeth extraction is usually recommended if the tooth has erupted incorrectly. This could be uncomfortable and painful if left unchecked. Smoking after wisdom teeth removal is not advised as it can cause complications such as a dry socket and infection. A dental specialist would most likely ask you to avoid smoking at least 72 hours after the oral surgery to promote quick recovery.

In this article, we will talk about wisdom tooth extraction procedures, their impact on your oral health, why smoking can delay healing, and why it’s necessary to have your wisdom teeth removed. In addition, we will also tackle the effects of smoking on your recovery and the things you need to do while you are in the healing process.

Wisdom Tooth Extraction Procedure

A wisdom tooth removal is a little bit different from ordinary tooth extraction surgery. Wisdom teeth are located at the back of the mouth, which is why they can cause discomfort. Having your wisdom teeth removed is tricky because their location in the mouth is harder to access.

During the wisdom tooth extraction, your dentist will make an incision on the gum line; once he gains access to the tooth, he will gently pull it out. The site will be sutured after the tooth was extracted.

After Your Wisdom Teeth Extraction

So you have finally freed yourself from the painful sensation caused by your wisdom tooth. What should be your next move? The only best answer that we can give you is to make sure that you are prepared for the things that could happen to your teeth like teeth shifting, pain, and discomfort.

Typically, your dentist will give you instructions to follow to make the healing process faster. And one of the common concerns of smokers is if they can use tobacco or smoke a cigarette right away. Generally, smoking after your surgery will lead to complications. So to answer your question, no. Smoking should be avoided for a few days, or better yet, quit smoking.

Why you Can’t Smoke During Recovery

Two of the expected effects of dental surgery are pain and discomfort. Technically, these things get worse when you are sucking. Apart from the risk of a dry socket and other complications, smoking also prolongs your agony.

Dental patients are also advised to avoid using straw or creating suction in their mouth. Sucking will pull the wound in the extracted wisdom teeth site and break the sutures. Moreover, smoking can also delay healing.

But how does tobacco affect your recovery? Cigarettes and tobacco contain harmful chemicals that slow down healing. These chemicals contaminate the wound site and cause infection. Dental Excellence’s clinic located in Woden, ACT, suggests that if you are a smoker, avoid the habit for two to three days after surgery. If possible, consider quitting for your own good.

Risks of Smoking after an Oral Surgery

The most prevalent complication brought by tooth extraction is called dry socket. What is it? After oral surgery, a blood clot will start to form in the wound to shield the bone and nerves underneath. Plus, it helps in speedy healing. If there is any interruption or if a clot gets dislodged, you might suffer from intense pain.

The pain might linger from the socket up to your ear, neck, and eyes. A foul taste in your mouth, a fever, and bad breath might also occur. You can check if you have a dry socket by checking it out in the mirror. If there is an empty hole from the extraction site, then that’s probably it.

It’s essential to contact your dentist immediately if you have noticed the signs and symptoms. Your dentist will clean the dry socket and prevent it from developing further. A medicated dressing will be placed on top of it. If necessary, you will be given medication to manage the pain as well as home care instructions.

When Can You Smoke Again

Your doctor will most likely encourage you to consider quitting smoking. After all, it only promotes an unhealthy lifestyle and puts you at risk of diseases. However, it’s no secret that this is a challenging thing to do for smokers. In general, you can smoke again after 72 hours. The time in between will allow the socket to heal without any disturbances and reduce the risk of complications.

Many patients tend to avoid smoking as the sucking motion causes them pain.

But come to think of it, if you are about to get oral surgery, this might be the perfect time for you to put a stop to your unhealthy habit. The good news is that you can always ask for help if you want to stay away from tobacco for good. This is crucial as taking care of your health plays a vital role in your recovery. Additionally, your whole body will benefit from it.

Things TO DO after Oral Surgery

Follow the instructions below for a safe and fast oral surgery recovery:

• adhere to the pre-op and post-op instructions provided by your oral surgeon
• take all the medication prescribed to you
• rest for 24 hours or more
• stop the bleeding with a gauze pad
• use pillows in your head while sleeping
• rinse your mouth with saltwater
• eat liquid or soft foods only
• apply an ice pack to your face to reduce swelling

Things NOT TO DO after Oral Surgery

Here are the things that your dentist will ask you to avoid:

• do not exercise or perform extreme physical activities for 24 hours
• do not move your head forcefully
• avoid brushing the surgical area
• don’t drink using a straw
• avoid hot foods until the anesthetics have worn off
• stop smoking
• prevent yourself from touching the surgical area
• do not eat hard to chew foods
• stay away from alcoholic beverages for 24 hours

Conclusion

Wisdom teeth extraction is a common surgery, yet it’s not an experience that you would enjoy. In addition to the aching pain, you will also have to fight the temptation to smoke after the operation. However, having your wisdom tooth removed will alleviate the pain and discomfort that it has brought you. Avoiding tobacco for a couple of days after your surgery is a small price to pay compared to the comfort that you will feel once your wisdom tooth has been extracted.

If you need help with your wisdom teeth issues, feel free to reach out to Maroondah Dental Care’s team of Croydon dentists and schedule a consultation.

References:

Smoking After Removing Wisdom Teeth (https://soundviewfamilydental.com/blog/smoking-after-removing-wisdom-teeth/)