Thanks to modern anesthesia, tooth extractions aren’t the harrowing events they might have been in the distant past. You can reasonably expect your discomfort during treatment to be minimal. But still, tooth extractions can be exhausting! After returning home, you might feel like unwinding on the couch with a nice warm cup of coffee.
Don’t do it! There are good reasons why enjoying a cup of joe after tooth extraction is a no-go. This post will tell you all about it.
Dreaded Dry Socket
The first thing you need to know is that for a couple of days after your treatment, you’re at greater risk of developing a complication known as dry socket. This is when the healthy blood clot protecting the extraction site becomes dislodged “from the socket.” The result? Severe pain and a longer recovery period!
How Hot Coffee Affects Your Extraction Site
Since your blood clot is sensitive, it can’t handle certain movements or temperatures. Drinking a liquid without care could very well wash the clot away from the socket, for example, and drinking through a straw creates too much suction. Hot foods and beverages have a similar effect and also increase your risk of developing dry socket. So it’s best to wait on that cup of joe until your extraction site has had time to heal!
What About Cold Coffee?
Unfortunately, it’s difficult to get away with carefully sipping on a glass of cold brew, too. This time the problem is caffeine itself. It’s important for your body to rest and heal during your recovery, and too much caffeine could impede that process by giving you the jitters or keeping you awake. You might the able to enjoy a cold or room temperature sip of coffee in small doses, but definitely ask your dentist before you try it!
Overall, it’s best to simply wait out your recovery and put your coffee habits on hold for the time being. Instead, drink plenty of water or choose some tasty electrolyte beverages. Your mouth will thank you for staying hydrated and empowering the healing process to run efficiently!
About the Author
Dr. Jenny Miedema earned her dental degree from the University of New England College of Dental Medicine and went on to complete an Advanced Education in General Dentistry (AEGD) residency in Togus. She’s passionate about making sure her patients feel comfortable in the dental chair and provides compassionate care. If you have questions about tooth extraction recovery or other concerns, Dr. Miedema would be happy to talk with you and ensure you’re well informed! To contact her office, call 207-894-5580.