A dental procedure comes with its fair share of pain and discomfort. Therefore, proper healing is important to overcome them. Read ahead for more details.
Smoking & Alcohol Have Adverse Effects on Oral Health
You may feel like drinking or smoking a cigarette to get your mind off the discomfort. However, we can assure you that it is not a wise decision.
Let’s discuss it all in detail.
Can I Drink Alcohol After Oral Surgery?
The short answer is no. Drinking alcohol after a dental procedure can slow down the healing process.
Moreover, you can also be prone to infection. [1]
In case of an open wound in your mouth, alcohol can raise the possibility of dry sockets.
This painful situation can adversely affect your healing. [2]
Furthermore, mixing alcohol with any medication prescribed by the doctor can cause severe damage to your overall health. [3]
No Alcohol After Dental Surgery
Your dentist may advise you to delay your glass of whiskey (or any alcohol) for 7-10 days. [4]
Can I Smoke After Oral Surgery?
Smoking is injurious to health- we’ve all heard this.
But did you know? Smoking after a dental procedure can negatively affect your healing process. [5]
Smoking causes your blood vessels to contract.
They are then unable to transfer adequate nutrients to the damaged tissues.
This causes a delay in healing and can add to your health issues. [6]
No Smoking After Dental Surgery
Other than that, smoking can also affect the clot formation on your wound. This can lead to a dry socket and more visits to your dentist. [7]
Dental Surgery and Recovery: Post-Op Tips
If you want to ensure that you recover properly after a dental procedure, follow these tips.
Take Rest
- Rest for a day after your dental procedure. [8] Your body needs to recharge before resuming its daily activities.
- Avoid activities that are taxing in nature. [9]
Manage Pain or Swelling
- Manage pain and swelling by taking OTC medications. Your dentist may recommend taking paracetamol. [10]
- Additionally, you can manage pain and swelling by applying a cold compress.
No Rinsing
Avoid rinsing your mouth for 24 hours after your procedure. After that, you can do salt water rinses to keep bacterial infection at bay. [11]
Food
- Switch to a soft or liquid diet for a few days after the treatment. This will allow the wound to heal properly.
- You can have scrambled eggs, oatmeal, and milkshakes. Basically, it is advisable to have food that is easy to chew and swallow. [12]
- Eat nutritious food for a smooth healing process.
- Avoid having food when it’s hot. Allow it some time to cool down before eating. [13]
Conclusion
All in all, smoking and drinking after a dental procedure might slow recovery and raise problems.
You can quickly return to your regular schedule by taking the proper safety measures and caring for yourself.
Have you got any questions? Dentavacation can help you get in touch with highly experienced dental professionals.
FAQs
No, it is not advisable to drink alcohol after any dental surgery. Alcohol hinders the healing process and can cause further complications.
