You are here looking for the no BS answer to the question: Can You Drink Alcohol After Wisdom Teeth Removal?
The emergence of wisdom teeth is a significant dental milestone during early adulthood. These third sets of molars erupt on both sides of the mouth, top and bottom, and help chew coarse and rough foods.
Nonetheless, although wisdom teeth are essential in completing our dentures, the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons recommend that 85% of wisdom teeth eventually need to be removed.
This is because the emergence of wisdom teeth can be a nerve-wracking period. The eruption of wisdom teeth can be painful, discomforting, damage other teeth, and cause dental problems.
This is especially true if they erupt askew and the mouth has insufficient space. As such, it would be best to have these sets of molars removed through a surgical procedure.
Wisdom tooth removal is a typical and prevalent dental procedure that immensely benefits your oral health.
Still, akin to any surgical procedure, there might be risks or complications and, importantly, after-care guidelines to ensure rapid and proper healing. A critical aspect of heeding is the foods and drinks to consume and avoid during the recovery process.
Surprisingly, alcohol is among the most debated drinks as to whether it will cause more harm or good. So, this post clarifies more on the vexing question of can you drink alcohol after wisdom teeth removal.
Read on to garner insightful information on postoperative tips and answers on the effects of alcohol on oral surgery.
Can You Drink Alcohol After Wisdom Teeth Removal?
Regrettably, the most straightforward answer to whether you should drink alcohol after wisdom teeth extraction is a strict no.
Although there are misconceptions that alcohol can help alleviate pain and discomfort after oral surgery, it would be best to eschew the bottle for a few days to avoid complications and a rapid recovery.
In the process of tooth extraction, the tooth is to be plucked from its bone socket. After the extraction, your dentist must have asked you to grab ice creams and avoid hot food. This ensures that a blood clot gets formed until granulation tissue develops, usually within a week.
However, if the blood clot fails to persist, you might end up having a dry socket. This will cost you many more dental visits and pain. It will also slow down your recovery process.
Now alcohol and alcohol-based mouthwashes dislodge the blood clot and increase your chances of developing a dry socket.
In addition, alcohol affects your body’s natural healing process and, worse, increases the risks of infections.
Therefore, It’s vital to avoid alcohol for at least a week after wisdom teeth removal to allow the tissue to heal. Instead, drink lots of water to stay hydrated and fasten the healing process.
Learn more from a related post: Can I Eat French Fries After Wisdom Teeth Removal?
How Long Should You Wait?
We know that you must be craving a drink after this long, painful journey. But wait a sec, this painful journey might get its end delayed if you don’t follow specific instructions.
The wise thing is to wait for 7-9 days after your wisdom tooth removal. Instead, plan on drinking water to stay hydrated and the consumption of soft food to promote healthy recovery.
Also, your dentist might recommend some medications or over-the-counter pain relievers. As such, mixing these medications with alcohol can have adverse reactions. So, again, it would be best to wait until you have fully recovered before taking the bottle.
Post-Operative Tips
- Consume cold water to promote blood clogging and also to avoid dry sockets.
- Rest for 24 hours
- Avoid putting any pressure on your head physically or move your head forcefully
- Put an ice compress in the affected area to reduce pain; the ice pack numbs the area.
- Don’t use straws and avoid spitting for the next 24 hours
- Don’t smoke or consume alcohol.
- Eat healthy food and hydrate to promote a healthy comeback.
Conclusion
The answer to can you drink alcohol after wisdom teeth removal is as plain as day. Avoid alcoholic drinks, hot beverages, and in sum foods and beverages that will derail the healing process and cause complications.
The teeth and gum problems are a nightmare, and no one would risk taking them lightly. So, to avoid any more problems avoid alcohol for the next 7-10 days even further if your medication lasts longer.
Because pairing medications with alcohol is risky and can have negative consequences for your health, alcohol might cause a dry socket at the site of extraction, which leads to additional pain and increased recovery time. Patience is the key to a healthy comeback.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Happens If You Drink Alcohol After Wisdom Teeth Removal?
It is recommended to rest for the next 24 hours and avoid alcoholic beverages and mouth wash for a week. Failing to follow these instructions might lead to a dry socket and delayed recovery. Blood clot at the extraction site is essential, and alcohol consumption reverses the process, and bleeding continues.
Can I Drink Beer 48 Hours After Wisdom Tooth Extraction?
Generally, it is best to avoid alcohol-containing beverages for the next 72 hours but to have the best results and avoid any risks. You must wait for at least a week, given enough time for the blood clot to form and get healed.
What Is the Difference Between A Dry Socket and A Healing Socket?
As the name suggests, the dry socket appears to be a hole that has been caused due to removal of a tooth. Looking at your gum, you will be able to see a whitish bone. On the other hand, a healing socket looks red (blood clot). This clot dissolves with time, and fibrin is formed at the extraction site. Slowly the healing process gets completed.
How Long Does Numbness Last After Wisdom Tooth Extraction?
Primarily, numbness after wisdom tooth extraction lasts for two to three hours. Still, it might depend on the individual as some numbness can last for five to six hours. Even worse, if the numbness persists for several hours after the oral surgery, a complication might have arisen during the procedure, and therefore, you should seek dental advice.
