For countless individuals, coffee is a treasured part of their daily routine. Do you like to wake up each morning with a hot cup of Joe? If so, you might wonder how a tooth extraction could affect your ability to enjoy your favorite morning beverage. Is it safe to drink coffee after getting a tooth removed? This blog post explains what you should know.
Coffee May Increase the Risk of Dry Socket
After your tooth is removed, a blood clot should form at the procedure site. That clot plays an important role in your body’s healing process. Unfortunately, coffee could prevent the clot from forming or cause a disturbance to a newly formed clot. As a result, you might experience a painful complication known as dry socket. Although dry socket is very treatable, it is also extremely unpleasant and can slow down your recovery. You should avoid it if at all possible!
Just how does coffee contribute to dry socket? There are two ways:
- Temperature. Most people who drink coffee like to enjoy it hot. The high temperature of the liquid can be dangerous for a new blood clot. It can also irritate nerve endings in the exposed socket and cause discomfort. Therefore, it would be best to avoid all hot beverages, not just coffee, during the initial part of your recovery.
- Caffeine. Caffeine can cause increased blood flow and blood pressure. This can heighten the risk of bleeding, which may dissolve or dislodge the blood clot at your tooth extraction site.
When Can You Drink Coffee Again?
Most people should be able to drink coffee 5 days or so after a tooth extraction. However, there are some exceptions. If you underwent surgical tooth removal, you may need to wait longer (wisdom tooth extractions are often classified as a surgical procedure). Your dental team can make a personalized recommendation to help you determine when it is safe to start drinking coffee again.
When you resume your coffee habit, do so gradually at first. For example, you might just have a small cup or a larger cup of half-decaf. Observe how your body reacts. If you experience any extra tenderness or bleeding, you might not quite be ready to go back to drinking coffee.
What to Drink Instead of Coffee
You should be careful to stay hydrated after your procedure, so make sure you drink plenty of water. Smoothies and broth are also good drink choices. If you choose to have some tea, use a noncaffeinated variety, and be sure that it is not super-hot when you sip it. You could even enjoy iced tea or an iced decaf coffee.
Coffee is a delightful beverage, but you should not indulge in it too soon after getting a tooth extracted! Wait several days so you do not interfere with your body’s healing process.
Meet the Practice
Under the leadership of Dr. Erin Page, our Schenectady dental team is proud to perform gentle tooth extractions and a broad range of other procedures. If you have questions about tooth removal or the recovery process, we are ready and eager to speak with you. Contact Capital Smiles at 518-374-0317.