Dental Diet: How Soon After My Extraction Can I Drink Coffee?

Although your dentist usually does everything they can to preserve and maintain your natural grin, an extraction may be required if you have a tooth that’s overly damaged or decayed. Thankfully, you’ll be numbed for the procedure itself, so you won’t feel uncomfortable, but it’s normal to wonder about recovery.

One question many patients ask is how long they must wait before they can eat and drink as usual. It’s normal to want to resume your daily habits right away, like having a strong cup of coffee to get moving in the morning. If you’re curious whether you can enjoy a caffeine kick soon after your procedure, continue reading to learn more about it!

Can I Eat Immediately Following My Tooth Extraction?

To understand why you might have to wait before you enjoy a cup of coffee, it’s important to know what happens after your tooth is removed. Once the culprit has been extracted, your mouth will form a blood clot over the extraction site. Not only does this keep the exposed nerves and bone tissue from becoming infected, but it also prevents a potentially painful complication known as dry socket. If this clot is damaged or dislodged, you’ll have to wait for another to form to fully heal, which can extend your recovery timeline.

Unfortunately, eating and drinking overly hot foods can harm this blood clot so it typically isn’t recommended for the first five days following your procedure.

When Can I Drink Coffee After My Tooth Extraction?

You may still be numb immediately after your procedure, depending on what type of anesthetics or sedatives were used. It’s best not to eat or drink until the effects dissipate because you might bite the tender tissues of your mouth or consume something so hot that it burns. Generally, it’s recommended that you stick to soft foods and drink mostly water for the first 24 to 48 hours after your appointment. This allows your body to start the healing process and keeps you hydrated, boosting your immune system so you’re better able to fight off infection.

If you are feeling fine after several days and don’t have any lingering symptoms, it’s probably safe to reintroduce coffee back into your routine. Remember, however, that you’re still recovering so you don’t want it to be overly hot. Also, avoid drinking from a straw because the force of suction can dislodge your blood clot.

While it can be frustrating to wait to have your morning cup of joe, you’ll be better able to enjoy it once you’re fully healed and pain-free!

About the Author

Dr. Eric Barajas has more than 30 years of experience helping people build and maintain happy, healthy smiles. He earned his dental degree from the UCLA School of Dentistry and is an active member of several professional organizations, including the American Dental Association, so you know you’re in good hands. He takes the time to get to know your unique dental needs so that he can provide fully individualized treatment plans just for you. Then, he utilizes state-of-the-art equipment to enhance your comfort while delivering accurate, long-lasting results. If you think you may need to have a troublesome tooth extracted, you can request an appointment on the website or call (619) 482-7367.