Are you wondering how to vape without getting dry socket? Most of us have experienced a tooth extraction or will experience a tooth extraction at some point in our lives. Whether you’re getting your wisdom teeth removed or having implants installed, dry socket can be a real concern. The recovery process after having a tooth extracted can be painful and stressful, leading many to turn to vaping. Vaping has skyrocketed in popularity over the past several years, and many dentists see more cases of dry socket because of this. Vaping after a tooth extraction will lead to dry socket, which can cause several complications and can be very painful.
What is Dry Socket
Dry socket, also known as alveolar osteitis, is a very painful dental condition that commonly occurs after an adult tooth has been extracted. Dry socket occurs when a blood clot fails to form where the tooth was extracted, leaving sensitive nerve endings and bone exposed. Food debris and bacteria can gather in the wound, making the area even more painful.
The human body works to protect itself, and forming a blood clot over the area of the tooth extraction is second nature. Typically, the blood clot is dislodged or dissolved by an outside influence, leaving the nerve endings exposed and causing pain all throughout the face and head region.
Researchers are still exploring what causes dry socket, but dentists do know how to decrease your risk of experiencing this painful condition. Smoking, vaping, and drinking from a straw all share the risk of dislodging the blood clot from the extraction site. Vaping, in particular, can increase your risk because of the suction. Plus, chemicals like nicotine can slow the healing process and irritate the extraction site. It’s recommended to wait 72 hours after a tooth extraction to vape.
Symptoms of dry socket typically show up within the following 48 to 72 hours after tooth extraction. Symptoms of dry socket include a visibly missing blood clot, sometimes exposing the bone underneath. You may experience severe pain that radiates from the socket to your eyes or ears on the same side as the tooth extraction. You may notice bad breath or a foul taste in your mouth, as well.
How Long Should You Wait to Vape After a Tooth Extraction?
You should expect the area of the tooth extraction to be sensitive for several days. It’s a good idea to avoid drinking from a straw or vaping for at least 72 hours after your procedure. Vaping could lead to major complications with your extraction site and can prolong the healing process. Nicotine decreases your oxygen level, causing inflammation, pain, and potential damage to the healing gum tissue.
When you vape soon after a tooth extraction, you risk getting a dry socket. Dry sockets can’t be treated with over the counter medication. Instead, your oral surgeon will have to evaluate the situation and provide you with the medical attention needed to get your healing process back on track. Again, dry socket can be very painful, so it’s best to wait 72 hours after your extraction to vape again.
How to Vape Once 72 Hours Have Passed
It’s recommended to wait as long as you can after a tooth extraction before vaping, but with a minor extraction, you should be safe to start vaping again after 72 hours. When you do start vaping again, you can place gauze over the extraction site to further protect the blood clot over the healing tissue, especially if you’re vaping nicotine. This will keep any oily vape residue from breaking down the blood clot. You should also make sure you’re vaping with extra air flow. Do this by pulling very gently and not fully closing your mouth around the tip of the vape. When you vape normally, it creates negative pressure that can dislodge your blood clot.
Vaping THC is less harmful than vaping nicotine or e-cigarettes. This is because nicotine decreases oxygen levels, promotes inflammation, and restricts blood flow to healing tissues. THC does not contain nicotine, but the suction caused by using any vape (nicotine or THC) can cause a dry socket. If you feel that you will be tempted to vape or use nicotine before the 72 hour period is up, nicotine patches could help ease the waiting period. You can also ask your oral surgeon to stitch the extraction site to hold the blood clot in place.
Final Thoughts on How to Vape without Getting Dry Socket
Dry socket is a common syndrome that can occur after an adult tooth has been extracted. Dry socket begins when the blood clot protecting the healing tissue is dislodged or dissolved. Chemicals like nicotine and vape juice, along with the negative pressure caused by suction (like smoking, vaping, or drinking through a straw), can cause disruption of the blood clot. It’s recommended to wait at least 72 hours after a tooth extraction to vape, but everyone is different, and talking to your oral surgeon or dentist could provide you with the clarity you need. Once your ready, you might want to consider our premium hash oil vape carts.