If I have dry socket from a wisdom tooth extraction, will it heal even if I'm still smoking?

Question

The dentist told me not to smoke for 48 hours after the extraction, but I did with the gauze covering up the hole. I don't have the "funky" smell so I'm not sure if I have dry socket. I don't want to go back to the dentist and have further days with no smoking if it will heal anyway.

Answer 1

I had all 4 wisdom teeth pulled at once. I decided to go ahead and smoke, it was fine while the gauze were still in.
But after the gauze was out I was still smoking. I got a dry socket and it was brutal, pain radiating up my jaw through my other teeth even causing a horrible headache.
My advice:: Be careful, go ahead if the gauze are still in, otherwise you are risking it.

Answer 2

I don't smoke at all and having dry socket right know for the 2nd time. I know smokers are at higher risk for it, but I just want to let you know I wouldn't do ANYTHING (including smoking) that can put you at risk for dry socket. It is the most excrushiating pain I ever felt, and I gave birth twice!!! So keep that in mind, maybe you can make it without smoking for a couple of days, trust me it's not worth the pain!!! But I also have the best home remedies if you do get one. Clove Oil.

Answer 3

A dry socket is very painful. Dry socket is caused by the sucking that you do on the cigarette. You should not suck through a straw or anything like that. You can smoke, but don't suck really hard on it, as it will pull out the blood clot that is protecting the extraction site.

Answer 4

dry socket wisdom tooth extraction heal smoking

Answer 5

if you are not in horrid pain, than you don't have a dry socket.
As for healing: you smoking will prolong the process, but it will eventually heal, one way or other. Nicotine makes blood thinner, this is why it is not advisable to smoke after extraction.

Answer 6

My husband smoked after wisdom teeth removal and never got dry socket, luckily for him. It's certainly not advisable, but he was fine. They say you'll know if you have it due to the excruciating pain, so be carfeul!

Answer 7

My advise to you is i wouldnt worry about it to much. Smoking will not cause irrititation to the dry socket. Just to be on the safe side i would not let the pain pills wear off. It says on your pill bottle take every 6 to 8 hours i would reccommend you take them every 5 hours (dont take no more then 8 every 24 hours) because that is some pain you dont want to endure.

Answer 8

Amosan Substitute

Answer 9

generally dry socket you will notice a clot of blood come out of the hole or you will have bleeding again. most times dry socket is very painful. you should be ok as long as no bacteria got in. but, you should go to a biologic dentist and have the cavitation done. i also recommend you buy some amosan, available at most drug stores:

http://www.just4teeth.com/Oral-B-Amosan-Oxygenating-Mouthrinse?sc=12&category=253

CAVITATIONS

A cavitation is an unhealed hole in the jawbone caused by an extracted tooth [or a root canal or an injury to a tooth]. Since wisdom teeth are the most commonly extracted teeth, most cavitations are found in the wisdom tooth sites. Please see the graphic and photo below to get a glimpse of what may be in your mouth and the effects it is having. The photo and diagram demonstrate the destructive and pathologic consequence of a routine tooth extraction. Dentists are taught in dental school that once they pull a tooth, the patient's body heals the resulting hole in the jawbone. However, approximately 95% of all tooth extractions result in a pathologic defect called a cavitation. The tooth is attached to the jawbone by a periodontal ligament which is comprised of "jillions" of microscopic fibers. One end of each fiber is attached to the jawbone and the other end of the fiber is attached to the tooth root. When a tooth is extracted, the fibers break midway between the root and the bone. This leaves the socket (the area where the root was anchored in the bone) coated with periodontal ligament fibers.

There are specialized cells in the bone called osteoblasts. Osteoblasts make new bone. The word "osteoblast" means bone former. They are active during growth and maintenance. However, the periodontal ligament prevents the osteoblasts from filling in the tooth socket with bone since the periodontal ligament fibers lining the socket act as a barrier beyond which the osteoblasts cannot form bone. In other words, an osteoblast "sees" a tooth when it "sees" periodontal ligament fibers. Since there are billions of bacteria in the mouth, they easily get into the open tooth socket. Since the bone is unable to fill in the defect of the socket, the newly formed "cavitation" is now infected. Since there is no blood supply to the "cavitation" it is called "ischemic" or "avascular" (without a blood supply). This results in necrosis (tissue death). Hence we call a cavitation an unhealed, chronically infected, avascular, necrotic hole in the bone. The defect acts to an acupuncture meridian the same way a dead tooth (or root canal tooth) acts. It causes an interference field on the meridian which can impair the function and health of other tissues, organs and structures on the meridian. Significantly, the bacteria in the cavitation also produce the same deadly toxins that are produced by the bacteria in root canals (see Root Canals). These toxins are thio-ethers (most toxic organic substance known to man), thio-ethanols, and mercaptans. They have been found in the tumors in women with breast cancer.

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POST-OP INSTRUCTIONS

Bite on the gauze for about 30 minutes after your surgery. Do not bite too firmly, just enough to keep the gauze in place. After the blood clot forms it is important to protect it especially for the next 48 hours to avoid dry socket. Drainage for a few days is normal. To minimize swelling and bleeding, keep head elevated (use extra pillows when sleeping). You can brush your teeth the day of surgery. Avoid brushing the surgery site. Any stitches will come out on their own in a week

Rinse your mouth with warm salt water after meals and before bed. Begin a very gentle warm salt water rinses (1tsp. salt for every 8oz. of water). The first day or so, do not swish the water around in your mouth; Instead, move your head side to side to rinse. Do not spit; Let the water flow out of your mouth. If you are watching salt intake in your diet, you may substitute the salt water rinse with a peroxide and warm water rinse. Use a 50/50 peroxide and water solution

NO smoking for 2 days
NO drinking through a straw for 2 days
NO mouthwash for a week
NO excessive spitting
NO vigorous rinsing for at least 48 hours after your surgery
AVOID alcoholic beverages
AVOID greasy foods
AVOID high acidic foods and drinks such as tomatos, orange juice, etc....
DO NOT over exert yourself. It is ok to ride in a car or on a plane

For Pain:

Advil (Ibuprofen) or Aleve (Naproxin Sodium) or Extra-Strength Tylenol (Acetaminophen). Take with food. NO aspirin or aspirin products

For Swelling:

Place an ice bag on side of face where your surgery was, for 30 minutes on, then 30 minutes off. Repeat for 6 hours. After 48 hours, use warm compresses as needed for swelling

Eat soft foods. No chips, pretzels, peanuts, etc.... Stay away from crunchy, chewy or small hard foods, to avoid food particles becoming lodged in the socket. Suggested foods are clear broth, pasta, potatoes, yogurt, baby food, smoothies, pudding, cream of wheat, 7up, Ginger Ale, apple juice