Isn’t your health worth more than a nicotine fix? Yes, always prioritize your health no matter what, which means if you have gotten your tooth extracted, you must focus on your well-being for now. So, if you’re wondering, “When can I smoke after tooth extraction?” you must hold your horses because it is advised to quit smoking for at least 3 days after the extraction.
When Is It Allowed to Smoke After Tooth Extraction?
Once you get your tooth extracted, it is advised to wait at least 72 hours to smoke since it takes too long to lessen the chance of a dry socket. The chemical pollutants in cigarettes can delay healing and induce inflammation.
Waiting three days allows the blood clot ample time to develop and facilitate healing in the area where the extracted tooth was. The longer you wait, the better your body will heal. Try to hold off on smoking until you can tell that your gums have begun to heal when you look in the mirror.
What Will Happen If I Smoke Right After Tooth Extraction?
Smoking right after tooth extraction leads to many other complications aside from obstructing healing time. Here’s what will happen if you smoke right after tooth extraction:
- Dry Socket
Smoking causes a blood clot at the site of the removed tooth to come loose, which leads to dry socket. After the procedure, there might be significant pain for a few days. The pain could radiate to your neck, eye, or ear in addition to a bad taste in your mouth, bad breath, and little fever. - Weak Immune Function
If you smoke after a tooth extraction, you’re risking your immune system since it weakens your immune system and makes it more susceptible to infections. Since the post extraction phase is quite delicate, a compromised immune system can result in impeding healing. - Reduced Blood Flow
Smoking obstructs healing even in cases when the blood clot does not move. Because smoke tampers with the “hemoglobin” proteins that help in the delivery of oxygen via your blood, it not only limits the blood flow to the gums and mouth but also lowers blood oxygen levels. - Risk of Dislodging Blood Clot
After tooth extraction, a blood clot forms in the empty socket that has to stay there in order for the tooth to recover properly and promptly. Sucking on a cigar or cigarette can produce suction, which can force the clot out of place and dislodge it.
It’s a Wrap, Folks!
When can I smoke after tooth extraction? It is advised by dentists to avoid smoking for at least 3 days after the procedure. Smoking harms the cells and tissue in your mouth, and this is especially harmful when your body is attempting to heal a wound.
For further information about the aftercare of tooth extraction, visit us at Smile Time Dental Houston. Call us at (281) 245-0711 to book your appointment.