Can I Smoke After Tooth Extraction?
For adults who smoke, the tooth extraction experience will be a little different than for the average adult. For most, having a tooth removed usually means a few days of pain, swelling, and an excuse to eat ice-cream. If you smoke and have been told by your dentist that you need to have a tooth extracted, you will want to have a discussion about how the extraction will be different for you. The biggest challenge for smokers is that it is highly recommended to temporarily stop using tobacco for at least 72 hours, or 3 days, after the procedure. Below is more information about why it is important to your health to abstain from smoking and tobacco use immediately following a tooth extraction procedure.
Why is not smoking after a tooth extraction so important?
So why is not smoking for 3 days post-procedure so important? The reason is because smoking cigarettes introduces chemicals directly into your mouth that can delay the healing process. Immediately after the extraction procedure, the gums and tissues are incredibly sensitive. Exposing these healing gums to chemical toxins can significantly delay healing. Additionally, other potentially serious complications can result from smoking, including:
- Dry sockets: When the underlying bone and nerves in a newly extracted tooth socket become exposed this can cause a condition called dry sockets. Immediately after a tooth is removed, the gums develop a blood clot to cover and protect the newly exposed bone and nerve. If that blood clot is lost or dislodged, the bone and nerve become exposed. While anyone can develop dry sockets post-extraction procedure, the condition is highly common among individuals who choose to smoke immediately after a procedure. The symptoms of dry sockets include severe pain and a bad smell in the mouth.
- Blood clot loss: Besides introducing toxic chemicals into the mouth, the process of inhaling and exhaling that is involved in smoking can create additional issues for the healing mouth. Inhaling or exhaling repeatedly can lead to the loosening of the blood clots covering the exposed sockets. These blood clots not only serve the purpose of protecting the bone and nerve endings, but they also are the foundation of growth for new soft tissue in the socket. A lost blood clot will result in a significant delay to healing, lengthening the period of pain and discomfort after extraction.
Yes, smokers can be incredibly careful with smoking to avoid dry sockets and the loss of blood clots. However, the biggest issue with smoking post extraction are the toxic chemicals that will cause a general delay in healing and result in a longer period of discomfort. The goal for individuals who smoke, is to make it 3 days after the extraction procedure without developing pain or the symptoms described above. After 3 days, you are likely on your way to a healthy recovery. If you decide to continue smoking during recovery and experience inflammation, severe pain, or think you have lost a blood clot, you should contact your dentist immediately.
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