Can I smoke after oral surgery?

It is strongly advised to avoid smoking after oral surgery, as smoking can have detrimental effects on the healing process and increase the risk of complications.

Tobacco smoke contains harmful chemicals that can impair blood flow and delay the healing of surgical wounds. Smoking can also increase the risk of infection and dry socket, a painful condition where the blood clot that forms after tooth extraction becomes dislodged or dissolves prematurely.

It's best to refrain from smoking for at least 48-72 hours after oral surgery, or as long as recommended by the oral surgeon. Quitting smoking altogether is highly recommended for overall oral and general health.

If quitting smoking is challenging, it's important to discuss this with the oral surgeon. They can provide guidance, support, and resources to help in the process.

It's worth noting that other forms of tobacco use, such as chewing tobacco or using snuff, can also have negative effects on the healing process and should be avoided after oral surgery.