Smoking After Tooth Extraction
With any medical procedure, there will be a certain amount of time that must be given for the area to heal. If you are being treated for a medical emergency, or if you have a more invasive medical procedure, it is even more important to allow yourself time to heal. This goes for dental emergencies and procedures as well. One procedure that requires a period of recovery and care is a tooth extraction.
What Does a Tooth Extraction Involve?
A tooth extraction involves the removal of a tooth or teeth that are no longer viable, or are unnecessary. Depending on the tooth or teeth that need to be extracted and the extent of the damage, surgery may or may not be required.
Why Would I Need an Extraction?
There are three main reasons in which you may need an extraction:
- You have a tooth that is severely decayed or infected.
- You have a tooth that is damaged beyond repair.
- Your wisdom teeth have begun to erupt.
With proper oral care and with regular trips to the dentist every six months for a checkup and cleaning, it’s likely that you will be able to catch any decay or infection before it gets bad enough that a tooth needs to be extracted. If the decay or infection is allowed to progress, though, an extraction will become more likely. The same goes for allowing a tooth to stay damaged for too long without having it repaired.
It is likely that your dentist will remove your wisdom teeth once they have erupted, as wisdom teeth often can cause oral health issues. This process often involves surgery.
Can I Smoke After Tooth Extraction?
Aftercare is an extremely important part of a medical procedure, and a tooth extraction is no different. It is extremely important to take proper care of the area after the tooth has been extracted. This will involve staying away from certain foods and drinks for a short period of time, as well as avoiding smoking for around 72 hours. The area needs time to heal, and smoking will get in the way of that healing process. For more information about how long until you can smoke after tooth extraction, speak with your dentist.
Set an Appointment for a Consultation
If you have a tooth that is damaged or decayed, or if you see that your wisdom teeth have begun to emerge, set an appointment for a consultation with your dentist. They will walk you through what treatment options are available based on your particular needs. If they decide that a tooth extraction is necessary, you can ask them any questions about the extraction procedure and aftercare. You can also ask how long it will be until you can smoke after tooth extraction. Set an appointment as soon as possible to treat any damage to a tooth and—if need be—consider contacting an emergency dentist to handle any pressing dental emergencies.
More Information About Tooth Extraction : Emergency Tooth Extraction