No dentist will tell you that smoking is good for your oral health, but indulging in your craving for nicotine can be particularly ill-advised right after a tooth has been removed. Your dentist will tell you exactly how long you need to wait until it is safe to start smoking once again, and it is absolutely crucial that you follow their advice if you want to avoid a very painful and drawn-out recovery process.
The importance of blood clotting
You'll probably feel a little delicate after having a tooth extracted, especially if it didn't come out quite as cleanly as it could have. Of course, your mouth and the brand new hole within it will also be feeling sensitive.
One of the first steps of the recovery process is the formation of a blood clot. This blood clot protects the bone and underlying tissue that has been exposed by extraction, and eventually it will form into tissue that completely covers the site. However, smoke interferes with the small blood vessels that feed the healing area. When they are impaired, it makes a clot less likely to form
The possibility of dry socket
Even if a clot does form, the effects of smoking on the mouth can result in the clot being dislodged. If the clot isn't allowed to grow properly or comes out for some reason, it results in a condition known as dry socket; essentially, there is no protection for the area that was supposed to be covered by the clot. This can be intensely painful and greatly lengthen the recovery period.
Compromised healing
After a clot has formed, smoke can dry out the mouth and sucking on a cigarette can cause too much internal pressure — both problems can cause dry socket. However, you'll still impede the recovery process by smoking even if this doesn't happen since smoking impairs the flow of blood. Even if the clot is retained, you could find that your recovery process takes a long time. That means a longer time suffering from discomfort and a longer time not being able to eat what you want.
Further serious oral health risks
Finally, consider the fact that a tooth extraction will open up new areas of the mouth. When smoke is allowed to come into contact with these areas, those areas will have not skin protection. Exposure to smoke can therefore be particularly dangerous, with the risk of anything from pain to oral cancers increasing.
Contact a dental clinic like Care Dental if you have specific questions about your recovery following a tooth extraction.
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