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Recommendations: what can't and what can I do after a tooth extraction?
Last reviewed: 04.07.2025

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Can you eat ice cream, drink alcohol, beer, wine, rinse your mouth, smoke after tooth extraction? We will answer these questions in the article.
What could be the reasons for tooth extraction?
- Osteomyelitis of the jaw.
- Flux, phlegmon.
- The last stage of periodontitis, when the tooth is very loose.
- Bite deviations. When extracted, space is made for teeth that will change their position during orthodontic treatment.
Remember that teeth should not be removed if you have the flu or have recently had a heart attack, you suffer from high blood pressure or are pregnant, suffer from angina or epilepsy.
Can you eat ice cream after tooth extraction?
Are you wondering if you can eat ice cream after a tooth extraction? Yes, cooling the socket helps reduce pain and swelling. Swelling is a natural reaction after surgery, and there is no need to be afraid of it. The cold causes the blood vessels to contract.
On the other hand, the next day after the extraction, warm compresses are useful. Soak a towel in hot water and hold it on the cheek adjacent to the hole until it cools down.
Can you drink alcohol after tooth extraction?
If you ask the doctor whether it is possible to drink alcohol after tooth extraction, he will tell you that it is not allowed during the first 24 hours after the extraction. And the reason is, first of all, that antibiotics are often prescribed after tooth extraction, which are incompatible with alcohol. Alcohol can also contribute to the fact that bleeding will increase.
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Can you drink beer after tooth extraction?
Are you wondering if you can drink beer after a tooth extraction? No, you can't drink even weak alcohol after any surgery. You can't create a vacuum in your mouth, which is formed when sucking liquid from a bottle. It is also advisable to drink juice not from a straw, but in small sips. Beer contains yeast. Yeast fungi can get into the wound and multiply in it.
Can you drink wine after tooth extraction?
The answer to the question of whether it is possible to drink wine after tooth extraction is unambiguous - like any alcohol, wine is highly undesirable for 24 hours after any surgical intervention. Alcohol can cause prolonged bleeding from the socket. Drinking alcohol with antibiotics that your doctor may prescribe is prohibited!
Is it possible to rinse your mouth after tooth extraction?
You can't rinse your mouth during the first day after the extraction. Rinsing can be replaced with mouth baths with soda: a teaspoon of baking soda per glass of water. Hold it in your mouth, but don't shake it, spit it out and do this several times until you've used up the entire glass.
Is it possible to smoke after tooth extraction?
If you can't live without cigarettes, you are probably wondering whether you can smoke after tooth extraction. When you smoke, a vacuum is created in your mouth, which causes the clot to shift. Therefore, it is better to refrain from smoking during the first 24 hours.
Is it possible to take sick leave after a tooth extraction?
You are probably wondering whether it is possible to take sick leave after tooth extraction if you are facing this procedure. It all depends on how complicated the extraction was. Sometimes teeth are extracted inpatient, the patient is hospitalized for 3-4 days. If the extraction is complicated by a jaw fracture, this is practiced. If there are no complications, sick leave may not be given. In general, of course, it all depends on how persistently you ask for it.
Is it possible to breastfeed after tooth extraction?
After tooth extraction, you can breastfeed, all modern anesthetics are compatible with breastfeeding. If the doctor prescribes antibiotics, it is better to refrain from breastfeeding for this time. Ask the doctor to select an antibiotic for you that is approved for nursing mothers.
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Can I wash my hair after tooth extraction?
Everyone who has had a tooth extracted, especially girls, is interested in the question of whether it is possible to wash your hair after a tooth extract. If not too long and thoroughly, then yes. You should not steam in the bath for more than 10 minutes, as this increases blood flow and can lead to bleeding. The water should not be very hot. You cannot lower your head - do not wash it under the tap, use a shower.
Can you chew gum after a tooth extraction?
Fans of this exciting and somewhat useful for teeth activity may ask – is it possible to chew gum after tooth extraction? The answer is no, give up this habit for a while. No chewing gum or sucking candies.
Is it possible to play sports after tooth extraction?
The answer to the question of whether it is possible to play sports after tooth extraction is clear - it is better to take care of yourself for the first two days. Otherwise, the pressure may rise, and the blood will start flowing again. Also, you should not overexert yourself, lift heavy things. You can watch TV, do quiet housework, or better yet, just lie down and rest.
Is it possible to brush your teeth after tooth extraction?
Not only is it possible, but it is also necessary, avoiding the area around the socket and using a not very hard brush without toothpaste. You can brush your teeth 12 hours after extraction. For additional disinfection, after 24 hours, it is useful to gently rinse your mouth with soda (1 teaspoon of baking soda per glass of warm, not hot water). This solution has good antiseptic and wound-healing properties.
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Can I eat after a tooth extraction?
Of course, you are interested in the question of whether and when you can eat after tooth extraction. Soft food can be taken after 3-4 hours. These can be mashed potatoes, mousses, yogurt. It is better to refuse harder food until complete healing. The food should not be hot. You can treat yourself to ice cream. It will relieve the pain. Do not use a straw when drinking juice, do not drink alcohol.
Can I swim after tooth extraction? If you are a neat freak, you are concerned about whether I can swim after tooth extraction, how long should I wait. If the water is not very hot, you can swim in 3-4 hours, but it is better to take a shower than a bath. The shower should be barely warm, but you will not catch a cold. Yes, an important point - if you have a cold, wait with the extraction, microbes from the nasopharynx will get into the socket. You cannot take a sauna or go to a solarium.
Can you drink coffee after tooth extraction?
You can drink coffee 3 hours after tooth extraction, if it is not hot.
Is it possible to fly after tooth extraction?
If you are about to fly on an airplane, you will probably be interested in whether it is possible to fly after tooth extraction, whether the operation will interfere with this. We can assure you - no. But take sterile cotton wool with you so that you can apply a tampon if bleeding begins. If you have stitches, of course, you need to wait until they are removed if the trip is long.
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Can I apply ice after tooth extraction?
Yes, ice after tooth extraction reduces swelling and pain. Apply it to the adjacent cheek for 15 minutes once every two hours. The purpose of a cold compress is to constrict blood vessels. Facial swelling is normal in the first 5 days after tooth extraction.
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Can I take painkillers after tooth extraction?
Of course, you can, but it is better if your doctor prescribes it. The most common ones are: Ibuprofen (600-800 mg 3-4 times a day). For very severe pain, your doctor may prescribe Ketanov (2 tablets of 10 mg at a time every 6 hours).
The tooth was removed. What next?
If you do not replace a missing tooth with a prosthesis in time, other teeth will move into its place. They will gradually begin to deteriorate due to the heavy load. Losing teeth is fraught with facial deformation and early wrinkles. If you have at least one missing tooth in your mouth, you will feel it, it will be difficult for you to chew. The bone surrounding the tooth will lose density. If in the future you still decide to get prosthetics, it will be much more difficult.
Today crowns are made of plastic, ceramic or metal ceramics – for any budget. Metal crowns are still made, especially on lateral teeth.
Ceramic crowns are the most aesthetic. A ceramic tooth is no different from the others. Ceramic teeth are not stained by coffee and wine.
Although metal-ceramic crowns are very strong, they are not as aesthetically pleasing as porcelain ones.
At first, you can install a temporary nylon prosthesis. You get used to it quickly, they are comfortable and do not cause allergies. It can withstand very heavy loads, is very light, does not contain metal and retains its appearance for a long time.
After you have saved up the necessary amount, you can install a bridge prosthesis or an implant. The latest technology is the most progressive. The implant will serve you for up to 20 years. A month or two should pass between the tooth extraction and the implant installation. Each implant is made separately, the anatomical shape is restored. Implantation allows you to keep the teeth adjacent to the extracted ones intact, without removing the nerves in them.
A bridge prosthesis rests on adjacent teeth. A separate type of bridge prosthesis is an adhesive bridge. It is most often installed instead of the front lower teeth. It consists of clasp inlays. Clasp bridge prostheses have also become popular. In this case, the artificial tooth is attached to adjacent teeth using locks.
If one of the supporting teeth needs to be treated, the entire structure has to be redone, unfortunately.
Stages of prosthetics by any method:
- Meeting with a general dentist, full examination of all teeth. Only when all teeth are treated, you are transferred to an orthopedic dentist.
- Surgical preparation for prosthetics. Preparation of supporting teeth and gums. The doctor grinds down the teeth and makes an impression. To protect the ground down teeth, temporary crowns are placed.
- The prosthesis takes some time to make. Usually it takes about 10 days.
- Installation of the finished structure.
We have tried to answer your questions about whether you can lead the lifestyle you are used to after tooth extraction. As you can see, there are no special restrictions, the discomfort after tooth extraction is temporary, and very soon you will return to your usual activities.