For many people, a warm cup of coffee is the perfect way to start each day. Some people can’t even mumble “hello” to their coworkers before having that first cup of joe in the morning! No matter where you fall on the coffee spectrum, you may need to adjust your routine if you get a tooth pulled. Keep reading to learn why you should avoid coffee following a tooth extraction in Cambridge and what you can drink instead.
How Coffee Can Disrupt Healing
After an oral surgeon removes your tooth, a blood clot will form over the hole in your gums. This blood clot will help protect the opening from bacteria and support the healing process.
Drinking hot coffee after oral surgery can prevent a blood clot from forming or dislodge a newly formed blood clot. This may lead to a condition called dry socket, which can cause considerable pain and an unpleasant taste in your mouth. To reduce your risk of developing dry socket, stay away from coffee for a few days after getting your tooth removed.
Alternative Beverages after an Extraction
Staying hydrated after even minor oral surgery can help ensure proper healing and avoid dry socket. While you should not consume coffee, there are plenty of other beverages that you can enjoy after an extraction, such as:
- Water – Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated and flush food particles away from the extraction site.
- Sports Drinks – Non-carbonated sports drinks hydrate effectively but they also usually contain high levels of sugar. If you consume sports drinks, be sure to brush your teeth afterward.
- Milk – Milk is both nutritious and a good source of calcium, which help strengthen teeth.
- Smoothies – Smoothies can help you get the vitamins and nutrients your body needs, especially if you are eating less after oral surgery. Just be sure to steer clear of fruits with small seeds, like blackberries and strawberries. Seeds can get stuck in the hole in your gums and cause complications.
Regardless of what you choose to drink after getting your tooth removed, avoid using a straw. The suction from drinking with a straw could dislodge the blood clot protecting your gums. Sip out of a cup or bottle instead.
Ok, But When Can I Drink Coffee Again?
The good news is that you don’t have to survive for too long without your precious jolt of caffeine in the morning. While every patient heals at a slightly different pace, most people can begin drinking small amounts of coffee around 5 days after an extraction. If all goes well, within two weeks any swelling should subside and your mouth should be mostly healed. At that point, you can return to drinking your normal amount of coffee.
If anything feels off or you experience discomfort as you resume your normal coffee habits, do not hesitate to contact your oral surgeon in Cambridge.
About the Author
After graduating with his dentistry degree, Dr. Jeff Lee completed a four-year residency in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center. He performs surgical treatments on a daily basis and has the expertise to manage even the most complex extractions with ease. For more information on tooth extractions in Cambridge, visit the Muskingum Valley Oral Surgery website or call 740-432-8768.