The morning after a wisdom tooth extraction, you’re likely to wake up feeling groggy from the procedure and the pain medication.
If your automatic response is to reach for the coffee, think again — in most cases, oral surgeons advise you not to drink coffee after wisdom teeth removal.
The heat and the caffeine can slow the healing process and increase your risk of painful side effects.
Why can’t I drink coffee after tooth extraction?
During the wisdom tooth removal process, the surgeon pulls the tooth and the root, leaving a hole in your gum. It’s essentially an open wound.
As it heals, a blood clot forms at the extraction site. Although it seems small, this blood clot is why you can’t drink coffee after tooth extraction.
It starts with the temperature — hot coffee can disrupt the clot. The heat can also irritate the raw nerve endings, causing pain and increased sensitivity.
The same is true of all hot beverages; your dentist will probably suggest avoiding anything warm or hot for a certain period.
Caffeine also plays a big part in the no-coffee recommendation. Caffeine hitting your bloodstream can affect your blood vessels and blood pressure.
Abrupt changes in blood pressure are not a good idea after dental surgeries because they can increase the risk of bleeding. Unwanted bleeding can dislodge or dissolve the blood clot, leading to a painful dry socket and slower healing.
When can I drink iced coffee after wisdom teeth removal?
Some adults can drink coffee within five days of a wisdom tooth extraction, but the exact recommendation varies widely based on your situation.
The level of impaction affects the timeline — if you have a severely impacted wisdom tooth, it takes longer to recover from the trauma to the gum and jaw.
When that’s the case, you might need to wait as long as two weeks before you can start drinking coffee again. For a fast extraction with little to no impaction, you could be back to drinking coffee in a few days.
If you rely on coffee to jumpstart your day, you must talk to your oral surgeon before the surgery. That way, you can get an idea of what to expect.
If you anticipate a long recovery process, consider gradually reducing caffeine consumption a few weeks before the surgery.
Recovering from a wisdom tooth procedure can be uncomfortable — you don’t want to deal with caffeine withdrawal symptoms simultaneously.
Remember that your recommendations may differ, so listening to your dentist is essential.
Of the 85 percent of people needing to remove wisdom teeth, everyone has a unique biochemistry. Some people may be able to tolerate small amounts of caffeine within a few days of surgery.
If you’re exceptionally sensitive to caffeine, you might need to wait until your gum is healed completely.
Can you drink iced coffee after wisdom teeth removal?
After your wisdom teeth are removed, your dentist will probably advise you to avoid cold coffee.
Although the temperature is not an issue, caffeine can still cause problems with clotting and bleeding.
It may be even more important to avoid cold coffee because of how it’s made.
Compared to drip and iced coffee, cold brews usually sit for a long time; this extended process means that cold-brew coffee often has higher caffeine content. As a result, it can be even more problematic for healing.
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Can you drink water before wisdom teeth removal?
Your oral surgeon will give you precise instructions in the hours before your surgery.
They often tell you not to eat or drink water for about eight hours before the procedure. The reason is to ensure that your stomach is empty during surgery.
Rules about avoiding food and drink are not unique to wisdom tooth removal — the same is true of most surgeries.
Any time you go under anesthesia, there’s a risk of aspiration. When this happens, food or liquid moves from your stomach into the lungs, causing various complications.
If there’s nothing in your stomach, the risk is low, and you stay safe.
As with any procedure, your surgeon will provide recommendations based on your case. Gentle extractions may come with different requirements than severe extractions.
Let your dentist know if you need to take medications; they’ll help you figure out which pills to take and how much water you can drink with them.
What to eat after wisdom teeth removal?
After you remove your wisdom teeth, there’s one crucial rule: eat only soft foods for the first 24 hours. Dentists make this recommendation for two reasons.
First, it helps you avoid biting your cheeks as the anesthesia wears off. Second, it minimizes chewing, which can help reduce discomfort.
It’s also helpful to choose bland foods; spicy foods can irritate the open wound in your mouth.
After surgery, options like mashed potatoes, applesauce, cottage cheese, yogurt, and bananas are usually tolerable. You probably won’t want to eat much — have a small meal and drink lots of water.
Some other soft foods include:
- Oatmeal
- Lukewarm cream soup
- Breakfast cereal such as Cream of Wheat
- Soft bread
- Canned, non-citrus fruits
- Boiled or scrambled eggs
- Steamed fish
After the first 24 hours, your oral surgeon will probably allow you to reintroduce semi-soft solid food. Some options include boiled or roasted vegetables, tender meat, and cheese.
As you vary your food selection, take small bites and avoid chewing on the side of your mouth where the wisdom tooth is. Avoid hot soups and very cold substances to avoid irritating the extraction site.
It’s safe to expect a minimal diet for at least a few days after surgery. Please pay close attention to the surgeon’s recommendations, particularly when it comes to crunchy foods and chewy foods.
Eating them too soon can affect clotting and slow the recovery process. It’s a good idea to avoid steaks, potato chips, raw vegetables, and sticky foods such as caramels.
Your dentist may advise avoiding high-sugar foods, including milkshakes, fruit juice, ice cream, and puddings.
Many people suffer from nausea, or stomach upset after a wisdom tooth procedure. A bland diet can help ward off digestion issues, reducing the likelihood of vomiting.
However, eating something is essential, as pain medications don’t always react well on an empty stomach.
Drinks are also relatively restricted as you heal from a wisdom tooth extraction. Avoid carbonated beverages such as soda or anything hot or cold.
Stay away from hot and iced tea for a few days, and ensure your drinks are served at room temperature.
Once you start to expand your diet, proper cleaning is essential. Surgeons usually avoid brushing or flossing the open wound for at least 24 hours.
After that, standard aftercare usually involves rinsing your mouth with salt water a few times a day. The gentle swishing helps remove food particles and reduces the risk of infection.
Are you a smoker? It’s essential to avoid smoking for a minimum of 48 hours. Your surgeon may advise a more extended period of abstinence.
The same applies to any tobacco. Like caffeine, tobacco can increase your blood pressure and damage the perfectly formed clot.
Can you drink beer after wisdom teeth removal?
It is not a good idea to drink beer or any alcohol after wisdom-tooth surgery. The carbonation can affect the wound, causing pain or discomfort.
More importantly, the alcohol can interact negatively with the narcotic you’re prescribed for pain.
Consuming alcohol can be extremely dangerous; it increases your risk of blurry vision, impaired physical coordination, poor judgment, irregular heartbeat, and depressed breathing.
Avoid alcoholic beverages for at least 48 hours, and always adhere to your surgeon’s specific recommendations.
Teeth hurt after drinking alcohol.
After a wisdom tooth removal, you might find that your teeth hurt after you drink.
Surgery is an effective procedure that may increase sensitivity at the extraction site and surrounding teeth. A cold beer or an acidic glass of wine can exacerbate painful sensations.
As you heal, expecting your ability to return to regular consumption is safe.
How long after tooth extraction can I use a straw?
When your mouth is sore after surgery, it might seem logical to use a straw to keep liquids away from the site.
However, most dentists recommend that you don’t use a straw for at least a week after your wisdom teeth are pulled.
The sucking motion can cause the blood clot to come loose, putting you at risk of dry socket and pain.
If you like using straws to keep coffee or other dark liquids from staining your teeth, check in with the dentist before resuming the practice.
During the first 24 hours, avoid drinking with a straw.
Regardless of your situation, most surgeons recommend avoiding straws for 24 hours. This timeline gives your body time to form a blood clot and start healing.
Can caffeine cause dry sockets?
Caffeine is not a direct cause of dry socket, but its effects on your body can contribute to this side effect. A dry socket happens when there are problems with blood clotting. It leaves the site exposed, which causes severe pain, foul taste, and unpleasant odors.
Caffeine can contribute to a blood clot in a few ways. If your body reacts to this stimulant with an increase in blood pressure, the extraction site may start to bleed, with the potential to damage, dissolve or dislodge the blood clot.
The temperature of your caffeinated beverage also matters — extremely hot or cold drinks can affect the clot.
Some groups of people are at a higher risk for dry sockets. You’re more likely to develop the condition if your wisdom tooth is infected. The same goes if you’ve had a situation with past tooth removal.
Substances in your body can lead to an increased chance of dry sockets. Tobacco is a primary culprit; you should avoid it for as long as possible.
Cigarettes, in particular, are a problem because of the sucking motion. Do you take oral contraceptives? Be sure to let your surgeon know; the hormonal changes in your body can inhibit healing.
Your care provider may have specific recommendations.
A dry socket is extremely painful, but you can reduce your risk by following your surgeon’s aftercare instructions.
You’ll most likely be advised to take it easy after the surgery. Avoid intense activity; it causes your blood pressure to rise, which increases the risk that the clot will dislodge.
If your mouth is feeling painful, an ice pack can help. Rest it on your cheek, placing a washcloth between the ice pack and your skin if the sensation is too intense.
If your dentist has prescribed medication, such as ibuprofen or narcotics, you can take it according to the directions on the bottle.
Taking prescribed medication can also help relieve post-surgery side effects such as fever and tenderness.
Once you’re out of surgery, pay close attention to the instructions from the surgeon. Proper wound care can streamline the healing process and reduce the likelihood of dry sockets.
Dentists may recommend using medicated gauze pads, prescription mouthwash, or antibiotics.
Conclusion
Wisdom tooth extraction can be a painful and necessary procedure, particularly in older adults with impacted roots.
By avoiding coffee and following a safe diet before and after the extraction, you can reduce your risk of unpleasant complications.
As with any surgery, asking questions and following your doctor’s recommendations is essential to speed the healing process and get back to your routine.