Can I Drink Cold Tea After Tooth Extraction?
Are you planning to extract a tooth? Ouch.
If you plan to get a tooth pulled out and are a tea lover, you may wonder if you can drink cold tea after tooth extraction. The last thing you want is for tea to be the reason you’re in pain or discomfort or even lengthen the healing process.
Can you drink cold tea after tooth extraction?
First and foremost, you should listen to your doctor’s recommendation on when you can drink cold tea. It’s best to avoid cold or hot drinks within 24-48 hours after tooth extraction. Cold or hot temperature drinks can cause the wound to take longer to heal. Try just to drink lukewarm beverages instead. Then you can slowly introduce drinks and indulge in a nice cup of cold tea.
Keep reading if you’re curious about the effects of drinking cold tea after tooth extraction. In this blog, I cover what you can and cannot drink, the benefits of drinking tea, and which teas are best for tooth extraction.
What Is Tooth Extraction?
A tooth extraction is when the dentist removes the tooth from the socket in the jawbone. The dentist will use this procedure when your tooth is severely damaged, overcrowded, or infected.
Although it sounds painful, the dentist typically numbs the area with anesthesia.
After the procedure, avoid smoking, drinking through a straw, and vigorous mouth-rinsing. You may have minor bleeding, but applying pressure with a gauze pad can help stop it.
When it comes to drinks, opt for lukewarm or room-temperature beverages. Hot drinks like tea or coffee can increase blood flow, causing discomfort and prolonging healing. Proper care after extraction can lead to more health issues and longer healing times.
The dentist will provide instructions on how to care for the extraction. This typically involves biting on a gauze pad to control bleeding, avoiding certain foods and activities, and taking prescribed pain medication or antibiotics.
Follow your dentist’s instructions carefully and maintain good oral hygiene.
Can I Drink Cold Tea After Tooth Extraction?
Drinking cold water immediately after a tooth extraction is not the best idea. Cold steeping tea can constrict blood vessels and disrupt blood clot formation, slowing healing.
Avoid cold or hot drinks within 24-48 hours after tooth extraction. Lukewarm and cool temperature drinks are the best option. Afterward, you can slowly introduce drinks such as cold tea but only under a dentist’s recommendation.
Listen to your dentist’s guidance on when you can drink tea. If your doctor gives you the green light, you can gently drink cold tea. Avoid swishing the tea in your mouth because this can dislodge the blood clot and lead to a painful condition called dry socket.
Avoid using a straw because the sucking motion can create a dry socket, lengthening the time it takes for the wound to heal. Additionally, the sucking motion of a straw creates a vacuum pressure that can dislodge blood clots that have built up to be removed.
Keep out the sugar, milk, and creamer. Sugar can cause excessive bacterial growth and discomfort. At the same time, creamer can leave residue in your mouth after consuming it. Rinse your mouth gently with water afterward to remove any remaining creamer.
Lastly, only drink cold or lukewarm tea and avoid hot tea. Hot beverages such as tea can irritate the socket while it tries to heal, and it’ll take longer to recover. If you’re making hot tea, then cool then it before drinking.
Can I Drink Sweet Tea After Tooth Extraction?
Dentists will advise against drinking sweet tea after tooth removal because it can lengthen the healing time and promote bacterial growth.
In general, wait at least 24 hours to drink tea so that the wound has time to heal and prevent more problems.
Sugary beverages like sweet tea can raise the risk of infection, as sugar is great for bacteria growth. So, it’s best to stick with water or unsweetened herbal teas during the recovery.
Remember that proper hydration is essential for a speedy recovery after tooth extraction. Drinking lots of fluids helps flush out harmful bacteria and encourages healthy tissue regrowth.
In short, it may be tempting to grab a cold glass of sweet tea after tooth extraction, but it’s best to avoid cold and sugary drinks. Opt for sugarless beverages and stay hydrated for successful healing.
Lastly, let’s ensure your sweet tooth isn’t the reason for the extraction in the first place. Excessive sugar intake can lead to cavities and, eventually, decayed teeth. Listen to your dentist on what foods and drinks to avoid to keep your teeth healthy.
Can I Drink Hot Tea After Tooth Extraction?
Drinks that are either too cold or too hot can cause issues after tooth extraction.
It’s recommended to avoid drinking hot tea for at least 24-48 hours after tooth extraction. Once the wound starts healing, you can gradually introduce lukewarm tea. Once you start seeing signs of recovery, you can start drinking hot tea.
The heat can cause bleeding and inflammation, making it hard for the wound to heal. Hot tea can also increase pain and discomfort. Instead, choose cool or lukewarm beverages like cold brewed or chilled tea.
After a day or two, warm or room temperature teas that have been cooled down may be okay. Keep oral hygiene in check: gentle brushing, no food that disturbs the healing site, and taking medication as prescribed.
Benefits Of Drinking Tea After Tooth Extraction
Tea is a nutrient-dense drink that can benefit oral health after tooth extraction. It’s full of antioxidants that battle inflammation and keep your oral health in check.
Herbal teas such as chamomile have a calming and sedative effect that helps you relax during recovery. Especially if your wound is sore, it can help you get a much need night’s sleep.
Green and black tea are rich in antioxidants called polyphenols, which reduce the risk of infection. They also have anti-inflammatory effects due to catechins. These compounds can decrease Inflammation and chronic pain.
Certain varieties of green tea, such as matcha, are beneficial for oral health. Matcha can reduce the growth of bacteria responsible for bad breath and cavities.
Risks of Drinking Tea After Tooth Extraction
Tea can be slowly introduced back into your diet after tooth extraction but under a dentist’s recommendation. Tea can aggravate delayed healing and create discomfort.
Although tea is generally sage after 24-48 hours after extraction, there are some risks if you introduce tea too quickly.
Heat can increase blood flow
Hot tea can increase blood flow to the extraction site, potentially leading to increased bleeding or prolonged healing. Before consuming, waiting until the tea cools down to a lukewarm or room temperature is recommended.
Tannins interfere with blood clots
Tea, especially black tea, contains tannins, naturally occurring compounds that can have an astringent effect. Tannins may interfere with blood clot formation, potentially leading to a dry socket condition.
A dry socket occurs when the blood clot that forms in the extraction site is dislodged or dissolves prematurely, exposing the underlying nerves and bone, causing pain, and delaying healing.
Irritation and discomfort
Some teas, such as those with added flavors or spices, may contain ingredients that can irritate the extraction site or the surrounding gum tissue. This irritation can lead to discomfort or delayed healing.
Infection
To help heal, brush your teeth twice daily and rinse with warm salt water three times a day for at least a week. Try to avoid creamer or milk, which may cause bacteria growth.
Tips For Drinking Tea After A Tooth Extraction
When enjoying tea after a tooth extraction, it’s essential to be careful. Wait at least 24-48 hours before drinking anything.
Lukewarm or cold tea is best; hot beverages can increase bleeding and swelling. Skip the sugar and milk, too, as the acidity of tea can irritate the wound. Don’t use straws, chew gum, or smoke during healing. After sipping, rinse your mouth with salt water or prescribed mouthwash to keep the area clean and help prevent infection.
Sip slowly, like you’re savoring every moment with your teeth, for a smoother healing process.
Here’s what you need to consider when enjoying tea after tooth extraction:
- Opt for cold, chilled, or lukewarm tea instead of hot. Hot liquids may cause inflammation around the gums.
- Avoid swishing the tea in your mouth to support the healing process.
- Avoid using a straw because it may create a dry socket and lengthen the healing time.
- Soak and rinse a black tea bag and place it on the extraction site to speed up the healing process.
- Include a saltwater rinse between sips of your tea. This helps keep the area clean, reducing swelling and aiding healing.
- Wait at least 24 hours before drinking tea to give blood clots time to form.
5 Best Teas To Drink After Tooth Extraction
Here are the five best teas to drink after tooth extraction because they are packed with many nutrients and antioxidants.
Green tea
Like black tea, green tea is also sourced from the Camellia sinensis plant, so it’s bound to have numerous health benefits. Green tea tastes grassy, vegetal, earthy, and subtly sweet. The tannins in the green tea give it a hint of a bitter note as well.
Green tea can naturally help with bloating, sinus infection, and inflammation because it’s packed with antioxidants called catechins, which have anti-inflammatory properties.
Green teas such as matcha and sencha have proven to benefit oral health. Studies show that catechins and other antioxidants can reduce the development of damaging bacteria in the mouth. This also means cavity and gingivitis prevention.
Black tea
Like many tea varieties, black tea comes from the Camellia sinensis plant. Black tea is fully oxidized and tastes full-bodied flavor with a slight sweetness.
Black tea contains natural compounds, such as catechins, that have been shown to possess antimicrobial properties. They can help fight harmful bacteria in the mouth and reduce the risk of infections.
Chamomile tea
Chamomile is a caffeine-free herbal tea. It has a slightly sweet and delicate taste, described as honey, apples, and hay notes.
One of the most popular reasons people drink chamomile tea is its calming properties. Chamomile is a natural sedative that can help improve sleep quality and relaxation. If you’re having trouble falling asleep after a tooth extraction, then chamomile tea may help.
Chamomile also contains anti-inflammatory properties, which can reduce inflammation and swelling. This can alleviate swelling after tooth extraction and help your wound heal.
Peppermint tea
Peppermint tea is an herbal tea that has a refreshing and cooling taste. Imagine the same minty flavor if you’re familiar with peppermint gum or candy.
Peppermint tea has a compound called menthol that can help fight germs and bacteria. Research shows that peppermint is anti-bacterial, antiviral, and anti-inflammatory, which can help fend off infections as your wound heals.
Menthol oil can make breathing easier by cooling the air entering your mouth.
Licorice root tea
Licorice root tea is an herbal tea that tastes similar to black licorice with notes of peppermint. So, if you’re a fan of licorice candy, then you’re in for a treat.
Did you know that licorice root tea has antiviral and antimicrobial properties? That means it can help you fight off germs that make you sick. Licorice root fights viruses and other germs that cause infections, speeding up the healing process.
FAQ About Drinking Tea After Tooth Extraction
Below are commonly asked questions about drinking tea after tooth extraction. Here are research-backed answers to those questions
Can I drink milk tea after tooth extraction?
No, it’s best to avoid drinking milk tea after tooth extraction because it contains sugar and dairy. Since a tooth extraction leaves an open wound in your mouth, giving it time to heal is essential.
Milk tea contains sugar which promotes bacterial growth and can cause discomfort in the mouth while healing. Dairy or creamer can also irritate the wound.
If you’re craving milk tea, then it’s recommended to wait at least 24-48 hours after the tooth extraction.
Can I drink iced tea after tooth extraction?
Avoid drinking iced tea after tooth extraction because it contains sugar. While the wound is healing, sugar can irritate while also causing bacterial growth. For those two reasons, drinking sugar-free iced tea is best. Also, avoid tea for at least 24-48 hours after tooth extraction because the wound needs healing time.
Can I drink lukewarm tea after a tooth extraction?
Yes, lukewarm tea is the ideal temperature to enjoy tea after tooth extraction. Tea that’s too hot can increase blood flow, causing discomfort and lengthening healing time. While lukewarm doesn’t have any adverse effects as long as you wait 24-48 hours after the procedure.
What tea is good for tooth extraction?
Some quality teas are good for tooth extraction, including black, green, chamomile, peppermint, and licorice root tea. These teas are anti-inflammatory and provide antioxidants that can help the healing process.
When can I drink tea after a tooth extraction?
You can drink tea 24-48 hours after tooth extraction. This gives your wound enough time to stop bleeding and heal.
Final Thoughts
We hope you’re well on your way to recovery after tooth extraction. A nice cuppa can be a great treat after your procedure is done. Cold tea is a good option after a tooth extraction but it’s best to go with lukewarm or a cool temperature tea. This will help your wound heal in time and prevent any discomfort. Wait 24-48 hours before drinking cold or hot tea.
