Why Should You Be Careful with Straws After Wisdom Tooth Extraction?

It is called a wisdom tooth because it erupts during the period when people begin to feel love.

The tooth located at the very back of the mouth,

unlike its pretty name,

often causes various oral problems such as

gum pain, swelling, inflammation, and cavities.

For this reason, most wisdom teeth are either removed preventively before problems occur,

or extracted for treatment when pain or inflammation develops. But! After having a wisdom tooth removed,

did you know that you should not use a straw? 🤔

Let’s take some time to look into why it should not be used!

When a wisdom tooth is extracted,

a blood clot naturally forms.

This blood clot is not just a scab;

it covers the wound site, helps prevent infection,

and acts like a protective barrier that helps new tissue grow.

However, the blood clot is very unstable during the first few days,

so it can easily come off with even a small amount of刺激.

That is why, right after extraction,

there are many things to be careful about regarding eating and oral care,

and you should follow the precautions given by the dental clinic.

🥤 Why should you avoid straws after wisdom tooth extraction? So among the many precautions,

why should you avoid using a straw after wisdom tooth extraction?

When you use a straw,

negative pressure in the mouth (pressure in the opposite direction of blowing) is created.

At that time, due to the pressure,

the blood clot that has settled in place can be dislodged.

If the blood clot comes off, the wound is exposed,

which can lead to bacterial infection

or inflammation,

and an infection may develop in that area, causing a complication called “dry socket.”

If dry socket occurs,

the wound area becomes inflamed,

and in severe cases, it is accompanied by pus, bad odor,

and extreme pain.

At that point, simple painkillers may not relieve the pain well,

and you may need disinfection and

additional treatment at the dental clinic.

Therefore, for at least 2 to 3 days after extraction,

you should avoid using a straw.

In particular, people who frequently drink cafe beverages

often habitually reach for a straw,

but during this period,

it is better to switch to drinking from a cup. In addition to straws,

any behavior that creates pressure inside the mouth can also risk dislodging the blood clot.

Spitting forcefully,

gargling vigorously while rinsing the mouth,

touching the wound area with the tongue,

and smoking are all actions you should avoid.

This has been an introduction to why you should be careful about using a straw after wisdom tooth extraction.

Even if it is a little inconvenient,

as mentioned above,

please avoid using a straw for at least 2 to 3 days.

Also, please follow the various precautions provided by the dental clinic carefully

so that you can recover quickly! 🦷

Seoul of Dental Hospital Jamsil 4th and 5th Floors, 196 Baekjegobun-ro, Songpa-gu, Seoul