Is it safe to drink alcohol after a tooth extraction?
Tooth extraction is a common dental procedure that involves removing a tooth from its socket in the bone. Dentists recommend avoiding alcohol afterward due to the risk of delayed healing.
Dentists perform extractions when a tooth has damage or decay and is beyond repair with fillings. People often experience discomfort following the procedure and may consider using alcohol to help alleviate the pain.
However, dentists do not recommend drinking alcohol after tooth extraction. It may hinder healing and recovery, such as thinning your blood when it needs to form a clot in the empty socket.
This article explores whether or not a person can drink alcohol after tooth extraction and provides alternative recovery tips.
Can a person drink alcohol after a tooth extraction?Typically, dentists do not recommend that people consume alcohol as they recover. Alcohol can cause dehydration and may inhibitTrusted Source the healing process, potentially leading to complications such as a dry socket or infection. Additionally, drinking alcohol while taking pain medication can increase the riskTrusted Source of negative side effects and interactions.
After tooth extraction, people must follow their dentist’s aftercare instructions to promote healing and prevent complications. These include:
- maintaining good oral hygiene
- eating a soft diet
- getting plenty of rest