Question for dentists (or dental nurses etc...)?
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You should have been given a leaflet at the dentists. I had a wisdom extracted a few months ago and from memory I think it's 24 hours - don't know for sure as I don't smoke!!
I am a dental hygiene student, but I also did a google search to be sure and this is what I came up with...
In order to maintain the blood clot at the extraction site, the following is discouraged during the first 24 hours after an extraction: no smoking, no rinsing, and no sucking through a straw.
I had a tooth taken out with stitches. I waited a couple hours to have a smoke and when I finished my smoke I rinsed my mouth with salty water. I did this for a few days until it had healed and I didn't have any troubles.
my husband had a f a g within the hour, and then as he felt like it one or two a hour but rinsed his mouth out with salt water to stop infection from the smoke, this works if you have to smoke do that, if you do not believe me ring a dentist they will tell you
regards x kitti x
i did the salt water around the mouth like others have said on here when i use to be a smoker
nothing happens!! i had my tooth out & as soon as i got in my car..i had a cigarette...they just tell you that to deter you from smoking ... i think!
You should not smoke because you don't want to get a dry socket. This is when the blood that has clotted in the extraction site has come out and that leaves your bone exposed. This is very painful and it will take longer for you to heal. I know how hard it is not to smoke. It seems like when someone tells you that you can't it just makes you want one more but I would really try to stay away from it for a few days. Trust me you will be happy that you did because you really don't want a dry socket.
Smoking just stops the blood from clotting properly and, to be fair, I don't think there's many smokers who wouldn't need a ciggie when they leave the dentist's! As long as you don't already have thinning of the blood conditions and it's been a while since they came out (couple of hours) then you should be fine. Blood clots really quickly, so don't worry. Just try and cut back a bit for today and carry on as normal tomorrow. And make sure you don't take any Aspirin cos that'll thin your blood too! Take care x
Go ahead and have your ciggie, and then when you get the worst pain you have ever experienced in your life from a condition called dry socket, you will wish you had listened to your dentist's advice in-the first place.
I have been a dental nurse for more years than i care to remember and the amount of people i have seen come back to the surgery screaming at the dentist because they are in pain following an extraction only to admit they have smoked after being advised not to is amazing.
Smoking thins the blood and slows the clotting process down and as I've said above causes dry socket, which believe me is one of the most painful after effects following an extraction, your dentist can only advise you not to smoke, it's down to you to follow his advice or have a crafty smoke instead.
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