When it comes to wisdom teeth removal, there are a lot of questions that people have about the process. One common question is can you drink soda after wisdom teeth removal? Truthfully, as soon as you feel comfortable drinking soda after surgery you are allowed to do so. However, soda doesn’t provide many benefits for promoting healing and may slightly slow down the healing process. In this article, we will discuss when you can drink soda after surgery, common myths about drinking soda after wisdom teeth removal, and what to do to promote quick recovery after wisdom teeth removal.
The Importance of Nutrition After Wisdom Teeth Removal
After having surgery, it is important to maintain a healthy diet in order to promote healing. This means getting enough protein, vitamins, and minerals as well as staying hydrated. Additionally, it is important to get enough sleep and reduce stress levels. All of these things are important for helping the body to heal properly and quickly. Drinking soda, especially in excess, can interfere with all of these things:
Drinking Soda Will Dehydrate You
While soda is a liquid, it actually can contribute to dehydration. Soda often contains caffeine, a diuretic, which means that it causes your body to lose more fluids than it takes in. This can lead to dehydration, which can then delay healing. This means that those who drink soda should make sure to drink even more water than usual in order to stay hydrated.
Drinking Soda is Empty Calories
Nutrition-wise, soda is also empty calories. It is typically void of vitamins and minerals, including Coca-Cola. According to the USDA food database, a 12-ounce can of Coca-Cola contains no essential nutrients, such as potassium, calcium, or iron. It also does not contain any vitamins A, C, E, D, K, or B. This means it doesn’t do anything to promote healing of the surgery area.
Drinking Soda Interferes with Sleep
Sleep is another important factor in healing. When you sleep, your body releases growth hormone, which helps repair tissue damage. Because of this, it’s important to get a good amount of sleep the nights directly after your surgery. Soda contains high amounts of caffeine and sugar which can interfere with sleep and cause a delay in healing. This means that you should not drink soda in the hours before going to bed.
So When Can I Drink Soda After Wisdom Teeth Extraction?
You can start drinking soda when you feel comfortable doing so. For most people, this will probably be as early as the day after surgery. For those afraid of the potential of soda to slow down the healing process, you can wait a few days before drinking it.
If you’re thinking of drinking soda try to drink in moderation and listen to your body’s own cues. If you are in pain when drinking, stop, reassess, and try a different approach. In the days after surgery, bleeding is not uncommon and is typically not seen as a cue to stop unless it increases more than normal.
A good example of trusting your body is when wisdom teeth removal patients try eating steak. Steak is an extremely chewy and tough food and is likely to cause pain to the injury site. If you are feeling pain when trying to eat steak, it is best to listen to your body and put off eating that particular food until you have healed more.
Myths About Drinking Soda After Wisdom Teeth Removal
Yes, there have been some studies that may indicate that soda can slightly interfere with the healing process after wisdom teeth removal. This includes studies that discuss how an acidic environment can decrease the time for blood clotting to occur.
Since soda has an acidic pH of around 2.5-3.5 some patients have worried that drinking soda after their surgery can interfere with the clotting process. However, the amount of time that soda is actually present in your mouth is very short, and there haven’t been meaningful studies specifically into soda’s effects on wisdom teeth removal patients. Therefore, it is generally considered safe to drink soda after wisdom teeth removal surgery.
Once again, the main concern patients should have after wisdom teeth removal is eating enough nutrition and sleep to promote healing.
Stressing the Importance of Check-Up with a Dentist After Wisdom Teeth Removal
Regardless of if you drink soda, it is important to have a follow-up appointment with your dentist after having your wisdom teeth removed.
Your dentist will check the area around your extraction sites to make sure that they are healing properly. They will also check to see if any food has gotten caught in the extraction area. If you see anything stuck in your stitches, avoid picking at it and instead bring it up with your dentist during your next appointment.
Haphazardly picking at the area can cause a dry socket, which is when the blood clot that forms in the extraction area is dislodged. A dry socket is extremely painful and can lead to further complications.
Disclaimer
The contents of this website, such as text, graphics, images, and other material are for informational purposes only and are not intended to be substituted for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Nothing on this website constitutes the practice of medicine, law or any other regulated profession.
No two mouths are the same, and each oral situation is unique. As such, it isn’t possible to give comprehensive advice or diagnose oral conditions based on articles alone. The best way to ensure you’re getting the best dental care possible is to visit a dentist in person for an examination and consultation.
SAVE TIME AND MONEY AT ANY DENTIST
Less dental work is healthier for you. Learn what you can do to minimize the cost of dental procedures and avoid the dentist altogether!
English