Is it okay to drink coffee after wisdom tooth extraction

Is it okay to drink coffee after wisdom tooth extraction

For millions of people, coffee is part of their daily routine. If that is true of you, and you have an upcoming appointment for a tooth extraction, you might wonder if your procedure will affect your ability to enjoy your favorite caffeinated beverage. Sadly, you will have to abstain from coffee for a few days during your recovery. Let’s talk about why that is so important.

Coffee and Dry Socket

After a tooth extraction, a blood clot should form at the site of the missing tooth. The clot is a vital part of the body’s healing process. Unfortunately, drinking coffee can prevent that clot from forming or disturb a newly formed clot, leading to a painful condition known as dry socket. Dry socket is highly treatable, but it is quite unpleasant, and it can significantly slow down your overall healing time.

How does coffee contribute to dry socket? There are two main ways:

  • Temperature. Most people like to enjoy their coffee hot. The high temperature of the liquid can disturb a new blood clot. It can also irritate nerve endings in the exposed socket. Hence, it’s best to avoid all hot beverages, not just coffee, during the first part of your recovery.
  • Caffeine. Caffeine causes your blood vessels to dilate, leading to increased blood flow and blood pressure. This can increase the risk of bleeding, which may dissolve or dislodge the blood clot at your extraction site.

When Can You Drink Coffee Again?

It’s generally recommended to wait 5 days before you reintroduce coffee into your diet. However, for some patients, they should wait a few weeks, particularly if they had a surgical extraction, such as the removal of impacted wisdom teeth. Your oral surgeon will make a specific recommendation based on your situation.

When you start drinking coffee again, it’s best to do so gradually at first; you might start with a small cup of coffee or a large cup of half-decaf to see how your body reacts. If you notice any bleeding or extra tenderness, you may need to stop again until your healing process progresses more.

What to Drink Instead of Coffee

It’s important to stay hydrated after your procedure, so be sure to drink plenty of water. You can also enjoy things like smoothies and broth. If you feel like having a cup of tea, choose a noncaffeinated variety, and make sure it cools down adequately before you start to sip on it.

Coffee is a wonderful drink — but it’s not something you should indulge in immediately after a tooth extraction. Waiting at least several days after your procedure to start drinking it will protect your oral health and spare you from pain.

Meet the Oral Surgeons

Drs. Steve Koo, Thomas Weil, and William Shepard are the oral and maxillofacial surgeons in our practice. They have many years of combined experience, and they are always careful to take extra steps to promote patient safety and comfort. If you have questions about wisdom tooth removal, post-op care, or anything else related to our services, our team will be happy to speak with you. Contact us at 713-783-5560.

Is it okay to drink coffee after wisdom tooth extraction

After having your wisdom teeth removed, the tooth socket must develop scar tissue and heal properly after any tooth extraction. Hot or carbonated drinks can irritate the gums and interfere with the recovery process. Even iced coffee isn’t the safest beverage because of the caffeine and acidity in any type of coffee. In short, coffee after wisdom teeth surgery isn’t a good idea. The good news is if you’re healing correctly, you should be able to resume your daily cup in about five days post-surgery. Continue reading to learn more about drinking coffee after wisdom teeth removal.

Is it okay to drink coffee after wisdom tooth extraction

Why Coffee Isn’t a Good Idea After a Tooth Extraction

Some dentists say it’s the caffeine. Others say it’s the acidity that can create a dry socket or the hot temperature which can irritate your gums. Regardless, health care professionals are fairly unanimous that you shouldn’t drink any type of coffee immediately following surgery. The wisest thing to do is wait about five days to enjoy your favorite cup again, if you’re healing correctly.

You should also avoid carbonated beverages and alcohol. These drinks are even worse than coffee because of their acidity. Alcohol should be avoided for a couple weeks post-surgery because it can damage the healing site and dehydrate your body. Your focus for the next few days should be on hydrating and healing so that you can return to your life with as few complications as possible.

Is it okay to drink coffee after wisdom tooth extraction
Image Credit: Sammy-Sander, Pixabay

What’s Safe to Drink After Wisdom Teeth Removal?

The most recommended drinking option after surgery is (you guessed it) good old water. Some other ideas include finely blended smoothies, fruit juice, vitamin enhanced water, and Gatorade. Whatever you choose to eat or drink in the crucial few days following your operation, make sure they’re smooth, not crunchy or able to get stuck in your teeth and gums. Try to opt for nutritious food to give your body some natural recovery fuel and stay hydrated for best results.

Remember to never drink anything with a straw immediately after a tooth extraction! Your gums are trying to clot and become accustomed to the missing tooth. The straw could accidentally puncture the socket and cause pain and delayed healing.

Is it okay to drink coffee after wisdom tooth extraction
Image Credit: Andrea Piacquadio, Pexels

Is it okay to drink coffee after wisdom tooth extraction

Conclusion

Though you should wait a few days after surgery before enjoying a delicious brew, rest assured that you should be able to enjoy your favorite beverage within a week following surgery. You’ll appreciate the rich, earthy aromas of coffee even more after your medically induced “coffee break” and that first cup post-recovery will taste so good for the wait.

Sources

  • https://trilliumdentalgroup.com/blog/tooth-extraction-recommendations/
  • https://www.mvalleyoralsurgery.com/blog/safe-drink-coffee-after-tooth-extraction-cambridge/
  • https://www.colgate.com/en-us/oral-health/tooth-removal/alcohol-after-a-tooth-extraction-is-it-ok-to-have-a-drink
  • https://www.drjohnrusso.com/blog/tooth-extraction-orlando-coffee/
  • https://www.lrfamilydentalcare.com/blog/can-you-drink-coffee-after-tooth-extraction/
  • https://rockclifforalsurgery.com/blog/preventing-dry-socket/


Featured Image Credit: Lolame, Pixabay

Is cold coffee OK after wisdom tooth extraction?

Drinking iced coffee after wisdom teeth removal won't drastically change the outcome compared to hot coffee since it will still impair the blood clotting process. Although the ice coffee may be marginally better since the ice would dilute the coffee a little, making the drink less acidic.

Why can't I drink coffee after tooth extraction?

When Can You Drink Coffee After a Tooth Extraction? Just to be on the safe side, it's best to avoid drinking coffee for a few days after your tooth is removed. This is because caffeine may hinder the healing process.