Tooth extraction is a stressful situationeven if the operation is performed under the influence of painkillers.
And avid smokersafter experiencing emotions will surely reach for a cigarette trying to relax a bit.
So they think to relieve the pain that usually starts to build up as the anesthetic subsides.
And this just isn't worth doing.Below in the article we will address the question of whether it is possible to smoke after tooth extraction and why it is strictly forbidden to do it immediately after the procedure? We will give recommendations for different cases.
Effect of cigarette smoke and nicotine on recovery after tooth extraction
Keep in mind!The composition of cigarette smoke contains a large amount of chemical elements and compounds that damage the body as a whole and at the same time interfere with the wound healing process.
Nicotine is a strong irritant to the edges of the socket left after surgery.
Narrows the blood vessels that bring blood to the wound.
The longer and stronger the tobacco acts on the wound, the longer it will take to heal.
Smoking also has a negative effect on the blood clotting process.
As a result, the wound remains open for a long time, constantly bleeding, as a result of which the risk of infection with various infections increases several times.
Inflammation is the result of an infection in the wound cavity.
Its symptoms and signs: general malaise, headache, fever, redness of the gums, acute pain in it.
How long has smoking been banned?
Worth to see!Dentists recommend adhering to at least the minimum period of smoking cessation after tooth extraction - 2-3 hours.
After this time you can smoke, but only if the bleeding has stopped completely.
When can I smoke after having my wisdom teeth removed?
Extraction of wisdom teeth (Figure eight) is a long and arduous process.
This tooth is characterized by a broad, overgrown root, often curved, which sometimes has to be removed in parts.
After such an operation, an extensive wound remains on the gumson which dentists often suture and drain.
Also, doctors often prescribe antibiotics to prevent inflammation.
Stay tuned!When leaving the medical office, the smoker should definitely consult a dentist when to smoke the first cigarette and start eating.
The doctor's response will directly depend on the patient's health condition, the course of the operation, etc. As a rule, all recommendations are exclusively individual.
How long should I smoke after stitches?
If the doctor sutures after removal, he may recommend that the first fluff be made at the earliest in 2-10 days.
This time is necessary for complete wound healing and resorption of postoperative sutures.
If you do not follow the recommended smoking break, postoperative complications can develop.
Even one cigarette can delay wound healing.
How long can I smoke?The ideal option is not to return to addiction for 2 to 10 days.
Hookah and e-cigarettes
Hookah, like electronic cigarettes (vaping), is contraindicated in patients at least 3 hours after surgery. Heated smoke or steam irritates the soft tissue and can lead to re-bleeding.
What consequences can you face?
Each patient has the right to decide for themselves whether to smoke or not. But before the first puffing, it is desirable that every smoker be aware of the consequences that are possible if the dentist's recommendations are not followed.
Most of them can lead to serious health problems, and some can even be fatal.
There are 3 complications that are especially dangerous for smokers:
- Osteomyelitis.
Purulent inflammation of the bone tissue as a result of infection. This disease is very serious and if not treated properly, can lead to the death of the patient. - Alveolar osteitis(dry capsule).
A condition where there is no blood clot in the fossa, which is a natural barrier to infection entering the hole. A blood clot can “pop out” under the influence of nicotine, which is characterized by the ability to increase blood pressure in the blood vessels. - Alveolitis.
Inflammation of the dental cavity and nearby tissues after its removal. The area of the hole begins to ache severely, swells and is covered with a gray coating, the patient's temperature rises, submandibular lymph nodes increase, food intake is impossible due to acute pain.
What is not recommended yet?
Need to know!After tooth extraction, a few recommendations should be followed:
- Brush your teeth, rinse your mouth 24 hoursafter surgery. Such events can cause the blood clot to "flush".
- Take a hot bath, visit the spa, sauna.High temperature can cause an increase in pressure and, as a result, the resumption of bleeding.
- Exercise.Exercise can also trigger hypertension.
- Drinking alcoholI am another factor that can cause an attack of hypertension and, as a result, bleeding from a wound.
- Eat immediatelyafter extraction: it is best to wait 2-3 hours.
- It is forbidden for dishes to be hot, cold, which can injure the oral cavity. It is also better to refrain from spicy foods. Do not open your mouth wide after sewing: muscle tension can cause their differences.
- It's better not to drive a vehicle,because the pain relievers used during extraction can put you to sleep.
Important! After tooth extraction, the patient can apply ice to the cheek to relieve pain, take painkillers recommended by the doctor (except aspirin).
A tampon soaked in antiseptic will be able to be removed in 20 minutes, provided the bleeding has stopped completely.
If the tampon stays in the wound longer, it can become an ideal breeding ground for bacteria.
Also read articles to help you study the problem in more detail,that will make prevention faster and better:
- how to get rid of cigarette odors from the mouth;
- toothpaste for smokers;
- language and smoking;
- plaque that smokes on the teeth.
Reviews
Below are some reviews. If you have something to say - leave feedback in the comments below the article, it will be useful to our readers.
I was tormented by a wisdom tooth: I was constantly sick and began to crumble. My dentist recommended removal as the only option.
I agreed right away: I'm tired of constantly taking painkillers. The operation went well, but the stitches still had to be sutured.
But what a surprise it was for me when the doctor mentioned smoking cessation! And I’m a smoker, a cigarette helps deal with irritation, anger, even pain.
Why should I resist withdrawal right after leaving the hospital! But willpower prevailed. The result is a successful healing process.
My tooth was extracted. The doctor, giving postoperative recommendations, drew my attention to the fact that it is better to refrain from smoking for 2-3 hours.
I couldn't resist for half an hour - I lit a cigarette: the blood started leaking from the wound almost immediately and didn't stop.
I had to go to the doctor again for help. It is good that I returned to the hospital, because everything could have ended much sadder.
The dentist said that there are great risks of infection in the wound due to the fact that nicotine eats away at its edges and does not allow it to tighten.
Herbal infusion baths can ease the patient's condition and speed up the healing process.
A bag of chamomile is poured over boiling water, infused for half an hour and cooled to room temperature. The infusion should be taken by mouth and kept for about two minutes without rinsing.
No matter how strong you are addicted to smoking, you should still use common sense.
The correct and only correct step is to follow all the doctor's recommendations.
Otherwise, an unscrupulous patient will have to pay too high a price for disobedience - the price of their own health. Is a nicotine fox worth it?