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08

Feb

Can You Smoke After a Root Canal

Can You Smoke After A Root Canal

Thinking about whether it's safe to smoke after a root canal Smoking can delay healing, increase the risk of infection, and cause complications with your treated tooth. Protect your recovery and ensure a smooth healing process. Call us today at +1 (254) 773-1672 for expert guidance.

If you are a smoker and just had a root canal procedure. The first thing that might come in your mind is can I smoke after a root canal? Can I vape? Keep reading this blog and you'll get all your answers.

Why is the root canal performed?


The procedure is performed when the pulp of your tooth (the soft centre) gets infected. Once infected, it can cause pain and lead to other diseases. The dentist cleans each canal inside the tooth, removes the infected tissues and fills it with a rubber-like material called gutta-percha followed by a temporary filling. Then you need to visit again to get the permanent one. During this period, it is essential to avoid certain habits, foods that can delay the healing process or add complications. Lets see if you can smoke after a root canal?
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Can I smoke after a root canal?


Yes, the answer is what you are expecting. Smoking after a root canal procedure. It can delay healing and increase the development of other oral issues. In fact, smoking can be the main culprit if you were infected and required a root canal treatment. As smokers are more vulnerable to attract oral diseases compared to non smokers. So, make this gap as a motivation for you and avoid smoking forever.

Reasons You Should Not Smoke After a Root Canal


Here are the reasons you should not smoke after a root canal:

  • ● smoke after a root canal can delay healing as nicotine causes blood vessels to shrink, tobacco can weaken your immune system, and smoking also causes a dry mouth effect.

  • ● It can increase the chances of a root canal. Smoking does not cause it directly, but creates a trap that'll require a root canal to fix it

  • ● It is not recommended by authorities like the American Dental Association as it's harmful for oral and overall health.

How Smoking Affects Healing After a Root Canal


smoke after a root canal usually has a negative impact on the overall healing process.

Additionally, your oral cavity is very sensitive immediately after a root canal treatment. Therefore, it is recommended to properly follow all the aftercare instructions given to you by your dentist.

Avoid consuming very hot food or liquid items for the first few hours after the procedure, as your mouth will still be numb due to the effect of local anesthesia. During your recovery period, it is best to avoid smoking.

Otherwise, it can slow down the healing process; in the long run, this can also lead to mouth cancer due to the accumulation of toxins in the oral cavity.

Due to smoking, the blood flow to the gums reduces, which ultimately leads to a reduction in the oxygen supply to the gums. Smoking not only affects the healing process but also causes other major health problems.

Tips to speed up recovery after a root canal treatment


For a few hours after root canal treatment, your mouth will stay numb. Until the anesthetic effect or the numbness reduces, it is recommended to only have cold or room temperature water. This prevents you from burning your mouth with hot foods or accidentally biting yourself. You can start eating once your mouth stops feeling numb; however, it is recommended to have soft food items such as ice cream, yoghurt, mashed potatoes, and oatmeal for a few days. Discomfort, swelling, or pain may occur immediately after a root canal treatment. Painkillers can help reduce the pain, whereas cold compression can help you manage the swelling.
Read More: Post Operative Instructions for Root Canal

When Is It Safe to Smoke After a Root Canal?


Within 3 days, you will be able to return to your normal routine. It is recommended to avoid using straws or smoking until you return to your normal routine. However, if you are trying to quit smoking, then this is the best time to do so.

Vaping and Root Canals


One of the most asked questions by the patient is usually, “ Is vaping safer than smoking after a root canal? The answer is: No, it is not.

Although vaping does not burn tobacco like smoking, it also slows down the healing process by introducing chemicals and heat in your mouth. Vapes that are flavored may cause irritation of the oral tissue due to the presence of some ingredients. Even vapes that do not contain nicotine reduce moisture and slow down the healing process.

It is best to avoid smoking and vaping both and give your oral cavity some rest during your recovery period. A few days without smoking can really make a difference.

Protect Your Teeth


If you want to know whether you have an infected or inflamed tooth, you can contact our dental clinic in Temple, TX. Our dentist and oral hygienist will advise you on when it’s safe to resume normal oral activities. For more details and to schedule an appointment, call us at +1 (254) 773-1672.

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