A major procedure like wisdom teeth removal doesn’t just require lots of ice cream and long naps; it may require you to adjust your cannabis vaping habits, too. Although there are risks to smoking and vaping after tooth extraction, some stoners still do so without using safety precautions.
Here we’ll answer the question; can you vape after wisdom teeth removal and will guide you through all the potential threats, and how to prevent them.
Why Vaping After Tooth Extraction Isn’t Recommended?
We’re sorry to be the bearers of bad news, but if you're wondering if you can vape after tooth extraction, doctors strongly advise against vaping and smoking right after tooth removal. Ideally, you should wait about 72 hours before taking a hit of your vape. The sucking motion from vaping can harm your teeth, gums, and oral tissues. Vaping cannabis can even increase the level of pain where your tooth was extracted.
The heat from the smoke is not your mouth’s friend right after a tooth extraction. That’s because the heat may cause inflammation, which ultimately slows down the healing process. When you’re not healing properly, it’s more likely you’ll experience infections and other issues. One of the unpleasant complications you might endure is called a dry socket.
What is a Dry Socket?
If you’ve never heard of a dry socket before, consider yourself lucky. It’s a painful dental condition that usually occurs after an adult tooth removal. A dry socket occurs when a blood clot fails to form in the area where the tooth was extracted. Without a clot, sensitive nerve endings and bone become exposed, which is the source of the socket.
Food and other bacteria can gather in the wound, making it even more excruciating. People with dry sockets will normally start to feel symptoms two or three days after the extraction. Those suffering from the condition will likely start feeling pain all throughout their face and head.
Another indicator is the blood clot will be visible and possibly even the bone underneath. So, how exactly does smoking cause these painful dry sockets? We’ll tell you here, next.
How Vaping After Wisdom Teeth Removal Can Cause Dry Sockets
It’s important for vapers to know that smoking and vaping have a direct relationship with dry sockets. This is because when you get a tooth pulled, part of the healing process requires a blood clot to form where the tooth was extracted.
Blood clots will stop more blood from leaving, help protect against infections, and encourage quick healing. Making sure the bleeding stops is critical for fast relief.
When you’re smoking or hitting a vape the suctioning can suck the blood clot out of place. This is when a dry socket occurs. Consider this your reminder to be wary of drinking with straws post-op as well!
Preventing Dry Sockets While Vaping
Although we recommend waiting at least a full three days before vaping again, we can’t really tell you what to do. What we can do is try to help you avoid those unpleasant dry sockets while smoking.
- Inhale with very minimal force
- Ask your dentist to stitch the extraction site
- Cover the extraction site with gauze
- Avoid smoking and vaping for as long as possible
These tips will help curb the side effects when that hit of your vape pen is absolutely essential.
So, Can You Vape After Wisdom Teeth Removal?
Now that you know there are hacks to help ease the pain, you might be wondering if smoking and vaping after a tooth extraction isn’t such a big deal after all. However, it is still best to avoid it altogether. We might seem like a broken record, but we’re looking out for your health!
There’s no magical method to avoid pain and infection altogether, but tweaking your cannabis vaping and smoking habits a bit will help. Some stoners put gauze over the wounded area for protection.
To keep the gauze in place, try wetting it before you place it in your mouth. Next time you take a puff, let your lips hang loosely with plenty of space around the mouthpiece instead of sealing them. You can’t expect huge clouds with this method, but your mouth will thank you later.
Is Vaping Safe After Oral Surgery?
Vaping After a Tooth Extraction with Gauze
So, how reliable is gauze when it comes to protecting your mouth during a smoke or vape sesh? If you decide to resume smoking before the recommended wait time, gauze isn’t just a good idea but according to dentists, it’s essential. They’ll likely advise you to place some over the site of extraction to further prevent dry socket and other issues.
Please remember that gauze, like any other method, is not 100% certain to keep you safe while vaping after tooth extractions. Try to stay strong and stick it out before you cave; the wait might not last as long as you thought.
When Can I Vape After Tooth Extraction?
Playing it safe and steering clear of vapes after your extraction? How long does your involuntary tolerance break have to last? Smokers and vapers alike should be waiting at least three days to resume their consumption.
While those 72 hours should help you steer clear of dry socket and other complications, some doctors will recommend avoiding vaping for a few weeks. Be sure to listen to your dental professional, as they’ll know what’s best for your recovery.
Tips to Help You Avoid Smoking After Tooth Extraction
For any smoker or vaper, it can be extremely difficult to quit cold turkey, even if it’s only for a few days. Avid THC users should use this time to venture out and try the endless supply of non-smokable cannabis products at our fingertips. Try a sweet infused treat or a thirst-quenching THC-infused beverage (as long as you’re not drinking it with a straw)!
Not looking to venture out to the dispensary post-extraction? We don’t blame you. The recovery stage could be a great time to take a well-needed tolerance break. While a total break might seem difficult, what better encouragement than knowing it’ll help your road to recovery?
Final Thoughts on Vaping After Wisdom Teeth Removal
All of this information might seem like a lot to take in when mentally preparing for the procedure. But, taking time away from regular life to recover, and most importantly, deciding what Netflix show to binge while you’re stuck in bed, should have you covered. Let’s recap so you know the key takeaways.
First and foremost, use your inner strength to try and power through those first three days with no smoking or vaping. It might seem like a long time, but if you’re willing to suffer for a few days post-extraction, you won’t have to suffer for weeks due to infections, pain, or worst of all, dry sockets.
Use our tips and tricks to avoid smoking, and if you can’t, use your gauze and proceed with extra caution. We’re wishing you a happy and healthy recovery! Once your mouth is feeling good again, check out O.pen vape pens for all your cannabis vape needs.
