Recovering from a wisdom tooth extraction can be a trying ordeal, and even the smallest comforts, such as your favorite cup of coffee, can go a long way in helping you get through the toughest of times. 

But proper post-surgery care will be essential to promoting fast healing. In that sense, you must keep in mind that not all foods or drinks are safe to consume after a dental procedure of such importance.

If you are a coffee lover, as I am, then it’s very likely that you are wondering

Can You Drink Coffee After Wisdom Teeth Removal?

Yes, you can safely drink coffee after a wisdom tooth removal. But not right away. You can drink coffee only if the surgical wound has sealed and started to heal.

Drinking coffee too soon can actually work against you and create unwanted complications. Most oral surgeons recommend waiting a few days before retaking your coffee habit.

You Can Drink Coffee, But Be Careful

When you undergo wisdom teeth removal, the surgery creates a large open wound on your gums, located where the molars used to be. Soon after a blood clot will begin to form, which will seal the open hole until the gums fully heal up to two weeks later.

If you drink coffee too soon, the natural acidity levels in coffee can disrupt the formation of this important blood clot and severely hinder the healing process.

This means that it doesn’t matter if you prefer your coffee hot or ice cold, the result is the same: acids in coffee disturb the clotting factor in your blood and prevent the formation of the all-important blood clot.

Drinking a cup of coffee after having your teeth pulled

PROTIP: You can also forget about drinking a cup of hot chocolate while you begin to recover from surgery to remove your wisdom teeth.

One of the most common and most unpleasant side effects of drinking coffee too soon is called “dry socket”. This is a very painful condition that is caused by the absence of the important blood clot, which leaves the nerve and bone inside your gums exposed.

As someone who drank coffee too soon after having their wisdom teeth removed, and developed dry socket, as a result, trust me when I tell you that it is better to wait before having your beloved sip of joe.

How Long Should You Wait Before Having Coffee After Wisdom Teeth Removal?

Different people heal at different rates, which means that after removing your wisdom teeth, there is no exact number of days you should wait before drinking coffee or hot chocolate. But, as long as you wait at least three days, you should be fine.

After three days, the wound will have had enough time to begin to close shut. At this point, you can allow yourself to drink some sips of cold coffee. The cold temperature will help you with the painful swelling which regularly accompanies wisdom teeth removal.

General Recommendations For Wisdom Teeth Surgery Recovery

The most frequent questions asked by patients recovering from wisdom teeth removal surgery are related to which foods and drinks are allowed and which ones they should avoid. Carefully watching what you eat and what you drink will help with a speedy recovery.

Recover from wisdom tooth removal surgery before hot liquids

Here are some general recommendations to follow:

  • You can eat after having your wisdom teeth removed. However, you need to wait until the anesthesia has worn off completely, and you have regained full control of your mouth. Otherwise, you run the risk of painfully biting your tongue, the inside of your cheeks, or even your lips.
  • During the initial 24 hours after the surgery, you should limit your intake to soft foods such as Jell-O, pudding, and yogurt. Just make sure that you chew the food on the opposite side of the mouth from the surgery site.
  • You can slowly begin to incorporate semi-soft foods such as fresh cheese, fruits, eggs, and even fish after a few days. Make sure to break down the food bites with a fork to facilitate chewing even further.
  • Drink water often. Staying hydrated is essential to healing properly and promptly.

As the pain and swelling start to subside, you can begin to incorporate more foods. Some people can take up to two weeks to fully recover from having their wisdom teeth removed.

After about one week, you can most likely return to your normal diet. But, remember to wait at least 3 days before returning to your habitual cup of coffee.