Coffee is one of the most popular beverages in the world, and many people turn to it for a burst of energy when they wake up in the morning. While this bold and rich brew can be quite delightful, it’s not the best thing for your oral health when you are recovering from a tooth extraction. Here’s a brief guide to how coffee can interfere with your mouth’s healing process as well as a few beverages that are safe to drink after a tooth extraction.
How Can Coffee Interfere with My Mouth’s Healing Process?
After your tooth extraction, a blood clot will form over the empty socket to protect the vulnerable soft tissues and bone structure within. If this blood clot becomes damaged or dislodged, the result is a severely painful condition called dry socket due to the healing tissues being exposed to the oral environment. Caffeine, the stimulant in coffee, has a dehydrating effect, which deprives the mouth of the ample saliva flow the blood clot needs to stay protected and healthy. It’s best to skip coffee for a few days after extraction.
What Should I Eat and Drink After My Tooth Extraction?
Your eating and drinking decisions play a huge role in your recovery process after tooth extraction, and it’s best to strictly follow your oral surgeon’s aftercare instructions to ensure a smooth recovery. Items that are sweet, acidic, hot, crunchy, or chewy irritate your oral tissues, and this rules out many popular beverages like soda, alcohol, coffee, and tea. After your tooth extraction, it’s best to stick to a diet of soft, mild foods like pasta, steamed veggies, and mashed potatoes, and the ideal drink will always be water.
When Can I Drink Coffee Again?
If your recovery process goes well, you should be able to begin drinking coffee again after at least five days. However, it’s best to start with small amounts at first, and you should be ready to resume your normal coffee habits after about two weeks so your swelling can go down. It’s still important to pay attention to how your mouth looks and feels at that point, so contact your oral surgeon if anything feels wrong or if you have any questions.
About the Practice
Northern Virginia Oral, Maxillofacial & Implant Surgery provides for the oral surgical needs of the communities of Reston, Burke, and Alexandria. Led by Drs. Amir Naimi, Pedram Yaghmai, Amro Shihabi, and Hadi Ansari, the staff ensures that each patient receives comforting and courteous treatment in a warm and welcoming environment. Services include dental implants, tooth extractions, and general oral surgery procedures. To learn more about caring for your mouth after tooth extraction, contact the practice online.