Image: Lucky Belly Did you recently have to remove a permanent tooth because of medical reasons? Were you skeptical to ask can you drink coffee after a tooth extraction? Show
Well, you aren’t alone as I have also been in your exact situation. After my first tooth extraction, I had to be extra careful by monitoring what should and shouldn’t go into my mouth during my healing period. Surprisingly, a lot of people are in the same dilemma, hence, my reasons for this article. Tooth extraction is one of the most uncomfortable medical surgeries as the bleeding doesn’t stop completely instead the blood clots. This clot needs to be taken care of carefully by the person because certain liquids can mess up the clot healing process.
Should I Take Coffee?I know this is the main reason for this article and you need a one-word answer. But the answer depends on the severity of your tooth extraction. There is no definite no or yes as some dentists do not advise against the intake of coffee, while some strongly disregard it. You must take heed of your dentist’s instructions as they know better than you do. For Severe Tooth ExtractionNO, it is not advisable to take coffee. According to WebMD and Colgate, it is not advisable to take coffee after tooth extraction because hot coffee can dissolve the already formed clots, and heat should not come in contact with an open wound healing process in the first 24hours of the extraction. Depending on your severity, coffee can increase your risk of developing a dry socket. A dry socket is the inability of your wound to develop a blood clot before healing, as a blood clot signifies healing. For Mild Tooth ExtractionFor coffee freaks who cannot go a day without it, you can take COLD coffee as advised as caffeine has little to no effect after tooth surgery to most people. This can only be taken 48hours after the surgery. But it is strongly advisable to avoid caffeine because it sometimes messes up the tooth healing process. Why is Coffee not Recommended?The intake of coffee and its effect differ from person to person as some people have more reactions to coffee than others. There are benefits of coffee intake in athletic and business life but not so much in medicine. Though it is used in the creation of some painkillers, it is still not recommended. Here are some reasons you should avoid coffee after your tooth extraction;
When is it safe to start taking coffee?Irrespective of your tooth severity, taking coffee is safe after 4-5 days from the tooth extraction date, as the tooth should have almost completely healed, though healing time is different from person to person. How long does it take the tooth to heal?According to Oral and Maxillofacial surgeons, the tooth healing process depends on the type of immune system you possess. The first 24 hours are the sorest time as clotting begins and your body begins to heal the sutures. Your extraction region may begin to swell, but that is nothing an ice pack cannot fix. Bleeding that lasts for more than 48 hours should immediately be reported to the doctor. Slight bleeding and more healing take place 1-3 days after as the body majorly focuses on healing which may result in soreness. Changing your gauze is recommended as enough blood would have been absorbed. Ensure you elevate your head when resting and take pain medications if the soreness heightens. Floss and brush as usual but avoid the extraction region as it is still tender. Ensure you use saline or salt and water to rinse your mouth but do not gargle in the extracted region. Post 1-4 weeks should involve completely healed clots and tooth sockets, getting rid of sutures by your dentist if they are non-dissolvable and routine check-up with your dentist. Everything should be back to normal in no time as all soreness and discomfort should have gone. You can now re-introduce hard foods and drinks. So generally, it takes at most a month of discomfort till you get properly healed. Recommended food intake during the period of your tooth extractionYour healing process will feature a change in your eating pattern, as too hot or cold food can cause damage. It is recommended that lukewarm or slightly cold drinks should be taken, these drinks include mostly water and sometimes pure fruit juice or unflavored coffee. Avoid sugary drinks, carbonated drinks, and alcohol because of the chemicals they contain. Food should very soft and easily chewable, this is to avoid putting strain on your mouth which will, in turn, put the strain on the extracted region. Foods like warm soup, puddings, mashed potatoes, yogurt, smoothies, and applesauce are recommended. Avoid foods that are spicy, sticky, and crunchy as they can get into your teeth and the extracted region. Aftercare for a tooth extractionThe aim of your tooth extraction is to provide you relief from that badly grown tooth, rotten tooth, or for any of your cosmetology reasons. Aftercare is to ensure you don’t develop any complications afterward, these complications include a dry socket or contaminated sutures. There are several aftercare methods you should adhere to ensure your smooth recovery, they include; 1. Bruising, swelling, and bleedingBruising, swelling, and bleeding post-care method includes;
2. RestResting is one of the important post-care activity as every energy needs to be conserved to channel the body into healing to the sutures and it involves;
3. Mouth Care
4. Pain
5. SutureAfter the extraction, your dentist will tell you whether the sutures made are self dissolvable or not. If they are not, do not keep the sutures for a long time, visit the dentist to get rid of them. 6. Reasons to visit the doctorApart from regular check-up or final suture removal, urgently visit the doctor if any of the following is happening to you;
ConclusionOverall it is not recommended to take coffee after your tooth extraction, but it is excusable for coffee freaks. Ensure you don’t take it very hot or cold or with a straw. You should take it warm with little to no topping that can get lost in your teeth. You can write your further questions or recommendations in the comment section below for me to see. If you have any complications after the extraction, kindly go to the dentist as it might be a risk of infection or a dry socket in formation. Do not wait a day or more believing every abnormality going on is normal. Can you have warm coffee after tooth extraction?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.
How long after a tooth extraction can I drink a hot drink?Do not rinse vigorously, suck on straws, drink hot beverages, eat spicy foods, smoke, drink alcohol or brush teeth next to the extraction site for 72 hours to avoid infection or a painful dry socket. These activities will dislodge or dissolve the clot and slow the healing process.
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