Smoking and Vaping After Wisdom Teeth Removal

Smoking or vaping after wisdom tooth removal can delay healing and increase the risk of complications like dry socket.

Removing wisdom teeth is a common procedure, but how you care for yourself afterward can significantly affect your overall experience.

The general advice after wisdom tooth removal is to avoid smoking or vaping for at least 3 days, ideally longer if possible.

The longer you can wait before resuming smoking or vaping, the better it is for your oral health and the extraction site’s healing.

Why do healthcare professionals recommend waiting?

Healthcare professionals recommend avoiding smoking or vaping after wisdom tooth removal for several critical reasons:

• Risk of dry socket: Nicotine limits blood flow and clot formation, increasing the chance of dry socket . A dry socket involves blood clot loss from the extraction site, leading to severe pain and exposed bone.
• Delayed healing: Smoking introduces toxins that can irritate the surgical site, affecting tissue repair and prolonging recovery.
• Reduced blood circulation: Nicotine’s vasoconstrictive effects limit blood supply , depriving tissues of oxygen and nutrients needed for healing.
• Weakened immune response: Smoking can weaken your immune system , heightening the chance of infections and complicating recovery.

A small 2019 study examined how smoking affects recovery after minor dental surgery. The findings showed that smokers reported more pain throughout the recovery period than nonsmokers.

Smokers also had more bleeding right after surgery and more swelling on the second day after surgery. Infections were slightly more common among smokers, but this difference wasn’t statistically significant.

A small 2022 research review found that smokers faced more than 3 times the risk of dry socket than nonsmokers. Specifically, the overall likelihood of dry socket among smokers was approximately 13.2%, whereas it was about 3.8% in nonsmokers.

What about using other tobacco or cannabis products?

Experts generally recommend avoiding various nicotine products, as they delay healing, constrict blood vessels, and increase the risk of infection. Also, avoid smoking anything, including herbal cigarettes, because this can irritate the surgical site, delay healing, and increase the risk of dry socket and infection.

Products to avoid:

• cigarettes
• vapes
• cigars
• chewable tobacco
• nicotine gum and pouches
• cannabis
• herbal cigarettes
• hookah

If you find it challenging to avoid nicotine or tobacco products for 3 days completely, nicotine patches might be a safer alternative than smoking. Patches won’t introduce the harmful effects of smoke and heat into your mouth.

Still, all forms of nicotine can delay healing, including patches. Therefore, it’s advisable to consult your healthcare professional for personalized guidance.

How do you know whether you have dry socket or other complications?

If you have a tooth extraction, be aware of symptoms that may show complications like dry socket or infection. Here’s what to watch for:

Dry socket symptoms

• Severe pain: Pain that develops a few days after the extraction and becomes intense.
• Empty socket: A visible empty or partially empty socket signifies a lost or dislodged blood clot that usually forms in the socket.
• Bad breath: Often accompanied by an unpleasant odor or taste in your mouth.
• Radiating pain: Pain on the same side as the extraction may radiate to your ear, eye, temple, or neck.

Serious complications

• Infection: Symptoms include increasing pain, swelling, skin discoloration, or pus discharge from the extraction site.
• Excessive bleeding: Bleeding that doesn’t stop after applying pressure or increases significantly after the first day.
• Fever: A persistent fever of more than 100.4°F (38°C).

If you think you have dry socket or any other complications, contact your dentist right away. Your dentist can evaluate the situation and provide appropriate treatment, which may include cleaning the socket, applying medicated dressings, or prescribing antibiotics.

If you experience severe complications, such as a fever, excessive bleeding, or severe pain, and can’t contact your doctor, you may need to visit an emergency clinic.

The bottom line

After wisdom tooth removal, experts strongly advise avoiding smoking or vaping due to the significant risks it poses to healing.

Nicotine and other chemicals in tobacco products can delay healing, increase the risk of infection, and potentially lead to complications like dry socket.