Is it safe to smoke now???
 

It has been 72 hours since I had my extractions. I was just wondering if it is safe to smoke a cigarette without covering anything?? :confused::confused:

Tashanicole,

Actually, no it is never "safe" to smoke.

If you have been smoking and covering the wounds with gauze that is not protecting the wounds and jaw bone from harm. The gauze gets saturated with the chemicals in the tobacco and they seep into the open wounds. This negatively alters the healing cells that the body makes.

Smoking, with or without covering the open wounds pre disposes you to getting a very painful condition called dry socket. This condition can last for weeks and it needs to be treated by the dentist for several days depending on how severe it is. Smoking uses a drawing action to inhale on the cigarette. This action can easily open up the sinus membranes that close off the sinus cavity from the oral cavity. This could lead to long term sinus infections and pain. The chemicals in the tobacco also interfere with the body's natural ability to fight the infection in your mouth and jaw bone which could result in a more severe infection. And lastly, smoking can prevent the wounds from healing completely.

If you are concerned about your oral (and physical) health and do not want to deal with post operative complications, you may consider this time as an opportunity to stop smoking.

This is not a lecture. The choice to smoke or not is completely up to you. I was just answering your question as honestly as possible.

Bryanna

Thank you for your response and yes I have decided to wait the week I was told to wait.

Tashanicole,

Dentists will suggest to the patient to wait a week before smoking again. They say that with the hope that the person will stop smoking altogether. If you can stop for a week ... why not for a lifetime?

Smoking after a week is not "safe" to do as the wounds are still open deep into the jaw bone. The upper wounds are also open to the sinus membrane. Under ideal circumstances and with someone who does not smoke at all, it takes weeks, sometimes months for the gum tissue to close completely over the wounds and up to one year for the jaw bone to heal completely.

Anytime you start smoking again within the first year of tooth extractions you are jeopardizing the healing. I sincerely urge you to consider this time as an opportunity to quit smoking.

I wish you all the best and hope you have no post op complications.

Bryanna

Melismalai,

How does covering the extraction site while smoking decrease the risk of injury or worse? Please explain, thanks.

Bryanna