Can You Drink Sweet Tea After A Tooth Extraction?
If there is one thing we love here in Raleigh, and NC in general, it’s sweet tea! Is there anything that says summertime more than a pitcher of sweet tea on the back porch? Whatever the season, we love enjoying a glass of sweet tea as much as the next person. Because of its popularity, one of the most common questions we get from our patients is: can I drink sweet tea after a tooth extraction? The short answer is yes, you can drink sweet tea after a tooth extraction. However, it may be best to wait a few days to enjoy your favorite beverage and instead focus on drinking things like water or Gatorade.
However, if you do decide to drink sweet tea, do not use a straw to do so. After a tooth extraction, you should not use a straw, regardless of the beverage. The sipping and sucking motion can potentially affect the blood clots that need to form after the procedure. Whether you are drinking water, Powerade, a smoothie, or even sweet tea, do so from a glass. Avoid straws for several days to a week after the tooth extraction procedure. If you recently had a tooth extraction here at Lane and Associates, or are looking for a dentist office in Raleigh that offers tooth extraction, call us at 919-876-2464 and we can answer any questions you may have.
Drinking Through A Straw After Tooth Extraction
Whatever you choose to drink after a tooth extraction, the number one rule dentists will tell you is to avoid drinking from a straw at all costs. This is because drinking through a straw can cause a dry socket which is very painful and will extend the time it takes your wounds to heal. The vacuum pressure created in your mouth when sucking on a straw can cause blood clots that have been built up to be removed from where your extracted teeth are healing. So if you’re going to drink anything from water to sweet tea, do not use a straw.
What foods can I eat after a tooth extraction?
Immediately after your tooth extraction procedure, avoid solid foods. Focus on eating soft or liquid foods like mashed potatoes, smoothies, milkshakes, etc. Look at it as an excuse to eat milkshakes and mashed potatoes for a day or two. Sounds like a pretty fun diet if you ask us! Definitely avoid crunchy foods like chips or crackers, and hard foods like candies. Avoid sticky foods as well, like gum and taffy. Stick to soft foods or liquids to make sure that your mouth heals perfectly and you’ll be back to solid foods in no time.
Can I drink soda after a tooth extraction?
Avoid carbonated beverages immediately following your tooth extraction procedure, including sodas and seltzer water. Diet Coke will still be there waiting for you in a few days when your jaw is fully healed! After your procedure, focus on drinking lots of water to facilitate healing and stay hydrated. Beverages like Gatorade, Powerade, and Pedialyte can also be great options to help you stay hydrated and heal up quickly.
Visit Lane and Associates for Tooth Extraction Services in Raleigh and the Triangle!
If you are in need of tooth extraction or other dental services, our Lane and Associates team is here to help! Contact our Raleigh team at 919-876-2464 to schedule an appointment, or find your nearest office here!
