How long after an extraction is it safe to smoke and not risk dry socket?

Question

Dentist said not to smoke without using wet gauze to cover the extraction sites. For how long do I need to abide by this. Is it pretty safe the next day?

Answer 1

No it is not safe to smoke the next day or any other day. IT IS NEVER SAFE TO SMOKE!  

Sorry, but this is a prime example of  addiction. Ask your doctor if there are any programs you can follow to help you stop smoking.  Better yet, do it on your own. All you have to do is stop for a moment and realize that you are killing yourself and possibly those around you.

Take Care and keep living.  You know what to do.

  

Answer 2

From experience it does not really matter.

I smoked 20 minutes after my extraction and had no problems.

I think some people hate smoking so much they blame everything on it.

The key is to not puff on your smoke with sucking action . A light puff is alright.

Do not smoke if you are under 18

smoking is bad for general health.

Answer 3

The dangers of smoking after any type of oral surgery is not really the smoke itsself, but rather the nicotine, which your body will absorb.  Nicotine is a substance which we call a vasocontrictor:  It constricts little tiny blood vessels.  Now after an extraction or any other oral surgical procedure for that matter, it is these little tiny little blood vessels, which, in the simplest sense, deliver the "bone repair cells" into the area.  When these blood vessels are constricted, however, there is very little if any blood flow (hence the dry socket) and also no bone repair cells (which compromises the overall healing response).

The inital bone repair cell activity in the regeneration cycle lasts for about 3 weeks after the extraction, so ideally you want to remain abstinent from nicotine for that amount of time (that includes nicotine patches), however, the bulk of the cell activity is during the first 8-10 days.  Most people get away with smoking again after 10 days, but it does increase the risk factor somewhat.

Answer 4

Its sad when people are so addicted to smoking. I hope one day you can quit.

Answer 5

1 week  

Answer 6

you should probably ask your dentist about when to smoke because dry sockets suck!

haha =]

Answer 7

I agree with the people telling you to not smoke at all.  I quit three and a half years ago and it was probably the smartest move I have ever made.  2nd or 3rd smartest if not.  

Anyways, to answer your question, I would say at least 2-3 days to allow the blood clot to form and solidify nicely in your jawbone.  I just had two out last week and my post care sheet said 2-3 days.  However, I seem to recall a larger figure, like 1-2 weeks, the time I had my wisdom teeth out.

Finally, the nicotine itself is not so likely to cause a dry socket as it is to slow the healing process by a few days.  Suction is most typically what dislodges the clot from the jawbone, which allows blood and oral fluids in and leeches the bone dry.  This dehydrates it and causes the agonizing pain of a "dry socket".  This is why the same post care sheet that says no smoking for 2-3 days also says not to use a straw for the same time frame.

HTH

Answer 8

you shouldn`t smoke at all. then you wouldn`t risk lung cancer OR dry socket. my father had all of his teeth extracted & smoked the same day & never had dry socket. but then again, he is dying of stage 4 lung cancer at the moment. you make the choice. are you really that weak of a person that you can`t take not smoking at least until your tooth heals?