Coffee is a familiar and indispensable morning drink for many people, especially those who need to be alert. Coffee brings energy and many good effects on health. But that is not always the case. In some cases, coffee will hurt the body, and after tooth extraction is a typical example.
So can I drink coffee after wisdom teeth removal? This is certainly the question of those who are passionate about coffee but have just had a tooth extraction. Can you drink coffee immediately after tooth extraction or how long do you have to wait to drink coffee? All will be answered by Coffee Xpresso right after.
Can I Drink Coffee After Wisdom Teeth Removal?
The answer is No. You should not drink coffee immediately after tooth extraction, and of course, the same goes for wisdom teeth. Coffee can affect the healing process of the wound. We will discuss why you should not drink coffee after tooth extraction in more detail.
Irritate the Wound
Coffee, including decaf coffee, contains acid, which can irritate the wound. The acidity in coffee can also irritate the soft tissues in the mouth and slow down the healing process. After wisdom tooth extraction, the soft tissues at the extraction site will be more sensitive and need to be treated with care.
In addition, the high temperature of coffee will also affect the ability and speed of healing of the tooth extraction wound. Many people will mistakenly think that a cup of warm coffee will help relieve the pain after tooth extraction. However, the warm temperature of coffee can “trick” you. In fact, if you expose the wound to too high a temperature, the wound will bleed more easily and take longer to heal. Therefore, coffee is not an ideal choice after wisdom tooth extraction.
Reduce Effectiveness of Medications
If you are taking a prescription or pain medication after a tooth extraction, coffee can interfere with the effectiveness of the medication. Coffee can reduce the effectiveness of the pain medication, making you feel more sore and increasing your risk of infection. Besides, caffeine in coffee can affect your blood pressure and heart rate, slowing down your body’s natural healing process.
Increase Risk of Dry Socket
A dry socket is a condition where the wound cannot form a blood clot after tooth extraction, especially when wisdom teeth are extracted. Blood clotting is a rather “scary” term, but it is a decisive factor in the healing ability of a tooth extraction wound. Blood clotting will protect the bone and nerves in the empty tooth socket, helping the wound heal faster.
However, if the blood clot cannot form or flows too quickly, it will lead to a dry socket, causing pain and discomfort. Although there is no exact research, coffee may aggravate dry sockets.
Tips for Better Healing after Wisdom Teeth Removal
If you crave coffee and want to enjoy it safely, you can refer to some of the following tips:
- Use a straw: You should use a straw to minimize the possibility of coffee coming into direct contact with the tooth extraction wound.
- Avoid options with a lot of sugar or cream: Coffee with sugar or cream is not the perfect choice for someone who has just had a tooth extraction. Therefore, you can choose coffee with a lighter taste, and limit sugar or cream to avoid irritation.
- Make sure the coffee temperature is warm: Absolutely do not drink coffee that is too hot because it will affect the empty tooth socket, causing bleeding and discomfort. You should enjoy a cup of coffee that is just warm enough to not irritate the wound.
Wrap Up
The answer to Can I drink coffee after wisdom teeth removal is No. Whether it is a simple tooth extraction or a wisdom tooth extraction, you should not drink coffee immediately after tooth extraction. Coffee can irritate the wound and slow down the healing process. It also reduces the effectiveness of painkillers, increasing the pain and risk of dry sockets.
Therefore, it is recommended that you start drinking coffee at least 5 days after tooth extraction. If you want to be safer, you should start drinking your favorite cup of coffee after 2 weeks. It is best to consult your dentist to get the best answer for yourself.
FAQs
In addition to coffee, you should limit drinks that are too hot, too cold, or alcohol after tooth extraction. These drinks can affect the blood clotting process that helps the tooth extraction wound heal.
Dental implants are similar to tooth extractions in that they require careful wound care. Any hot beverage, including coffee, will affect the wound’s ability to heal. Therefore, you should avoid hot coffee for 24 to 48 hours after dental implants. In addition, you should also limit drinking through a straw to avoid the straw poking the wound.
Coffee may reduce the effectiveness of dental anesthesia, but not significantly. However, coffee may cause other side effects such as dry mouth or wound irritation if you drink it after anesthesia. Additionally, when you have dental anesthesia, you may have a harder time tasting coffee.
