Exact Answer: 2 to 3 days
Wisdom teeth are the third molars and are one of the last teeth to erupt. They are mostly seen in teens in their later teenage years or adults in their early twenties. The wisdom teeth are four in number, mostly. The mouth is dived into 4 quadrants and there is one wisdom tooth in each.
Many people have no wisdom teeth and some have one to three wisdom teeth. In a few cases, people have had more than four wisdom teeth. Wisdom tooth /teeth removal is mostly for impacted teeth which sometimes hinder oral hygiene or cause overcrowding.
How Long After Wisdom Teeth Can I Drink?
If you have undergone a procedure to remove one or more wisdom teeth, it is very important to give them enough time to recover and heal. If there is not enough time given for the care of the tooth, the clotting process may be hindered and may cause further harm. To allow the tooth cavity to heal efficiently it is important to maintain a good and balanced diet and avoid items that will not promote healing.
When it comes to drinking, there are different types of drinks, the first kind is Soda or Carbonated drinks. These drinks should be avoided for at least 72 hours or 3 days. Sodas and Carbonated drinks have a high level of chemicals in them that can cause irritation or even have adverse effects on the teeth and the mouth.
The second type of drink is coffee. This beverage can be drunk even a few hours after the surgical procedure. It is important to take care of the temperature of the drink. Hot coffee can cause inflammation of the gum and surrounding area. Cold or iced coffee can help in the healing process and cause pain relief.
The next type of drink is alcoholic beverages. This type of beverage should be avoided for at least 48 hours to 72 hours. This is mostly because the alcohol can mix with the pain relief medication to cause great harm. Drinks containing citric acid should be avoided for a minimum of 10 days.
| Type of Drink | Time |
| Soda/Carbonated drinks | 3 days |
| Coffee | Few hours |
| Alcohol | 2- 3 days |
| Citric Beverages | 10 days |
Why Can I Drink That Long After Wisdom Teeth?
Wisdom teeth extraction is a process that at times, takes a while to heal. The blood clot must form from the area where the room has been extracted. Drinking alcohol or any other carbonated drinks can cause great discomfort in the area that has to heal or even the whole mouth.
Drinking acidic substances can sting and burn, but also increase the time required for the gums to heal and form the clot. Secondly, drinking alcohol can be dangerous after this type of surgical procedure. After most surgeries, including tooth extraction, the doctor prescribes pain medication for the next few days. If alcohol is consumed along with the pain medication, it can have great repercussions.
There is a condition called ‘Dry Socket’ that is caused if the clot that has to be formed is displaced from its position. This is a painful condition but can be avoided by taking precautions for the first 3-5 days. Dry socket leaves are susceptible to bacterial infections, and there must be shown to a medical practitioner or doctor at the earliest.
Conclusion
Wisdom teeth extraction may be a painful process, but if proper precautions are taken, the process can be an extremely smooth one. Drinking any form of sodas or carbonated drinks should be avoided as much as possible. Alcohol consumption must be avoided till the area is healed and you are off pain relief medication.
Drinking from a straw should be avoided at all costs. The straw can cause irritation and even bleeds in the mouth and leave the area sore. The best practice is to drink water. This will keep you hydrated and also won’t interfere in the healing process. Coldwater can be a great substitute for sodas during this period.