The aroma of freshly brewed coffee is pretty hard to resist—sometimes even the smell of coffee alone is enough to put a smile on one’s face, but of course, that first cup of the day can be quite a revitalizing experience! However, after a tooth extraction, indulging in that daily cup of Joe might not be the best idea. Dental procedures require special care, especially the crucial healing period following a tooth extraction. Continue reading below to learn a little more about why it’s unwise to consume coffee if you’ve recently had one or more of your teeth pulled, along with a few better alternatives.
What Is Tooth Extraction Recovery Like?
Following a tooth extraction, your mouth will begin healing by forming a regenerative blood clot over the socket. These blood clots sound gross in name, but they’re instrumental in the healing process since they protect the now-empty sockets from all sorts of complications. As you recover from the procedure, every step that you and your dentist take will be centered around safeguarding these blood clots.
Why Is Coffee Problematic?
Ideally, it’s best to avoid hot beverages, including coffee, following a tooth extraction. Hot drinks can dissolve or damage the all-important blood clot that forms in the socket, leading to a painful condition called dry socket. This can lead to a considerable amount of pain and discomfort, coupled with a bad taste in your mouth. Additionally, coffee’s acidity might irritate the wound and delay the healing process. Therefore, it’s smart to put away your coffee pot for a few days, until your mouth’s had the proper chance to heal up—usually within two weeks at the most.
What Are Some Better Alternatives?
After your tooth extraction, the best thing for you to drink is water; not only will it be gentle on your mouth, but it will also hydrate you and help you to heal quicker. In addition to coffee, you should also avoid carbonated beverages and alcohol, but you can sip milk, juice, or sports drinks. Be sure whatever you’re drinking is at room temperature. Since you’ll also be on a soft foods diet, you can also consider smoothies and milkshakes.
Additionally, it’s important to be smart during the healing process about other things, including oral hygiene, avoiding smoking, not using drinking straws, and taking any medications (if prescribed) as directed. While the temptation of a steaming cup of coffee might be hard to resist, it’s crucial to put your oral wellness first during this time!
About the Practice
Here at Elite Oral Surgery Associates, we’re committed to providing patients and families in Worcester, Dudley, Fitchburg, Lowell, Randolph, and Sturbridge with an unrivaled level of high-quality dental care. We’re excited to offer a wide range of preventive, cosmetic, and restorative services, as well as tooth extractions. If you have any questions about the blog or would like to schedule a visit for you or a loved one, feel free to contact us online for further information or to find a location near you.
