Exact Answer: At least 72 hours after the surgery
Tooth Extraction is a very common procedure that every other person goes through. Usually performed by dentists and oral surgeons, the treatment is not that painful because of the use of Anesthesia.
However, some pain might be felt days after the extraction. It is much important to take proper care of the tooth extracted side. And the major concern that arises during this phase is how long can one drink or eat. Also, a lot of care needs to be taken you are about to drink soda or other such fizzy drink.
How Long After Tooth Extraction Can I Drink Soda?
It is advisable to drink sodas only if it has been 72 hours to the tooth extraction treatment. Soda is the most preferred drink all over the world. Almost taken daily everywhere globally. But when you have had tooth extraction treatment, you should avoid the consumption of soda.
If you are wondering why the reason is simple. The carbonation bubbles present in soda can hamper the blood clot that is needed to heal. This makes the recovery process much longer than usual. Hence, it would be much better, if you avoid taking soda or seltzer water after the treatment. These diet cokes can still wait. There is no need to rush. Instead, you may try drinking a lot of water to facilitate hydration.
Drinking soda after 72 hours will not cause any irritation to the tender, fragile gums. Therefore, doctors recommend consuming any drink such as soda, etc only after 3-4 days. Therefore, the stitches and wounds will be saved from the adverse effect of acidic drinks. Also, drinking soda is the major cause of tooth decay in today’s world. The most common ones are cavities and erosion.
| Drink | Time |
| Soda (as advised by the doctor) | After 48-72 hours |
| Soda (in general) | After a week |
Why Does it Take So Long to Drink Soda After Tooth Extraction?
You can consume anything like diet coke, sodas only after 24-48 hours. Doctors, however, advise drinking coke only after 72 hours. The main reason being, the carbonation in the drinks can meddle with the blood clot and create problems.
Just after the treatment, it is very important that the clotting of blood takes place. This clotting in turn stops the bleeding and aids in the healing process. And if anyhow you drink soda, it might hamper the process of blood clotting, stopping the healing process. And the term used for this condition is ‘Dry Socket’.
Also, drinking soda on the side that has been treated can cause a condition called ‘Mountain Dew Mouth’. It refers to some sort of tooth decay that happens when you consume too many carbonated drinks. Again, one thing to keep in mind is not to use straws. Not at all. This may again lead to the condition of ‘Dry Sockets’. When the tooth is removed in this treatment, the gums of the extracted area are really sensitive. Whatever you drink, eat will affect it severely. So why take that risk.
Not only sodas but also drinks that are alcoholic, caffeinated, hard foods, hot beverages must be avoided. Therefore, you can eat soft foods and semi-solid foods. If you consumed soda by mistake just after the tooth extraction, rinse immediately with saltwater or you may also drink water. This may also ease the pain. Also, avoid drinking through a straw because it might worsen the condition of your swollen gums.
Conclusion
Soda is never the best choice when it comes to health. Even if you choose to drink soda, it must be consumed in moderation. And opting to drink just after a tooth extraction is an extremely bad idea.
According to the dentists, any beverage except water should be avoided. Drinking soda just after tooth extraction may cause the problem of dry sockets. So, why take a risk, when you can actually opt for the better option.
In a nutshell, carbonated drinks should be avoided so that there is no hampering of blood clots. You should avoid taking soda just after tooth extraction. A time gap of 72 hours should be maintained.