For a smoker, it can be very difficult to temporarily stop tobacco use, even after major surgery in the mouth. Even if one feels the urge for a cigarette, it is important to wait at least 72 hours before smoking after any dental extraction, including the extraction of wisdom teeth.

You must understand that there are chemical toxins in cigarette smoke, which can delay the healing after a surgery, and even cause serious complications such as dry socket and inflammation. A dry socket is expressed by a bad smell in the mouth, very intense pain that can spread on the whole side of the face, and a difficulty to open the mouth.

Moreover, the mechanism of smoke aspiration when inhaling on a cigarette may expel the blood clot newly formed. The clot is the first step in the healing process after a tooth extraction. If it is dislodged, the person can also suffer from dry socket. I often suggest to my patients who are smokers to take advantage of the fact that they had surgery in their mouths to stop smoking. But until now I don’t think I have convinced anyone!

The information above should be used as a reference only. Any medical decision should not be taken before consulting a health care professional.

The masculine gender may have been more used in the article, but without prejudice, to make reading easier.

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