Beer After a Tooth Extraction: How Long to Wait and How to Heal Properly
If you’ve just had a tooth pulled and you’re wondering, “Can I drink a beer after a tooth extraction?” the simple truth is: you should wait.
Most dentists recommend avoiding beer and all alcoholic drinks for 48–72 hours to protect the healing socket and prevent complications.
Why You Should Avoid Beer After a Tooth Extraction
After a tooth extraction—whether it’s a wisdom tooth removal, a molar extraction, or an emergency tooth removal—your body forms a blood clot that protects the area and helps it heal. Drinking beer too soon can interfere with this healing process.
Here’s what alcohol can do:
- Increase bleeding by thinning your blood
- Irritate the extraction site, especially carbonated alcohol like beer
- Slow healing by drying out oral tissues
- Raise the risk of dry socket, a painful condition where the clot becomes dislodged
- Interact with pain medication or antibiotics
This is why dental specialists strongly advise holding off on alcohol after oral surgery or a simple tooth extraction.
When Is It Safe to Drink Beer Again?
Most people can safely enjoy a beer after 72 hours, as long as:
- Bleeding has fully stopped
- Pain is minimal
- You aren’t taking medication that conflicts with alcohol
- Your dentist hasn’t given you extended restrictions
If you had a more complex oral surgery, your dentist may recommend waiting even longer.
What to Drink Instead While Healing
Stick to:
- Water
- Electrolyte drinks
- Cool, non-acidic beverages
Avoid hot drinks, straws, and—yes—any kind of alcohol during the first couple of days.
If you’re dealing with a recent extraction, dental pain, or you simply want a better dental experience, Schwimmer Dental is known as one of the best dentists in New Jersey.
Our team offers top-quality care in dental implants, cosmetic dentistry, veneers, broken tooth repair, and emergency dental treatment.
Friendly, skilled, and patient-focused—we’ll help keep your smile healthy long after your extraction heals.
FAQs
1. Can I drink beer 24 hours after a tooth extraction?
No—24 hours is too soon. The extraction site is still forming its blood clot, and alcohol can disrupt the healing process.
2. Can I drink non-alcoholic beer after a tooth extraction?
It’s still not a good idea right away. Carbonation can irritate the extraction site and increase the risk of complications.
3. How long should I avoid alcohol after oral surgery?
Most dentists recommend avoiding all alcohol for at least 48–72 hours, but follow your dentist’s personalized instructions.
Sources:
- https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/22120-tooth-extraction
- https://www.ouh.nhs.uk/media/ay5bjwha/110812dentalextractions.pdf
- https://www.dentalhealth.org/what-to-do-following-an-extraction
- https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/326147
- https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/procedures/oral-surgery
- https://www.colgate.com/en-us/oral-health/tooth-removal/alcohol-after-a-tooth-extraction-is-it-ok-to-have-a-drink
