Written by Sindy Brent on 05/17/2024.
Data Last Updated: 05/30/2024.
So, you’ve just had your wisdom teeth yanked out. Ouch! As you recover from this common but unpleasant dental surgery, you may be wondering: how soon can I smoke weed again? While your stoner instincts might be crying out for a healing toke, it’s crucial to understand the risks of smoking too soon after an extraction. Let’s dive into the hazy details of toking up post-tooth pull.
Wisdom teeth, those late-blooming third molars, don’t always play nice with the rest of your pearly whites. They often need to be removed because:
Extracting these troublesome teeth is a rite of passage for many in their late teens or early twenties. But what does this mean for your weed habit?
While most of the focus is on post-surgery smoking, it’s also worth considering your cannabis habits leading up to your wisdom tooth removal. Some dentists recommend abstaining from smoking weed (and cigarettes) for at least 48 hours before your procedure. Why? Smoking can increase the risk of complications during and after surgery by:
If you’re a heavy smoker, quitting cold turkey right before surgery might not be realistic. However, cutting back on your consumption and giving your lungs a break can help optimize your body for the upcoming procedure. Be honest with your dentist about your smoking habits so they can provide personalized recommendations and adjust your anesthesia accordingly.
As tempting as it may be to blaze up after your surgery, dentists are pretty much unanimous: step away from the bong, at least for a little while. Smoking weed too soon can lead to some gnarly complications:
Complication |
Cause |
Symptoms |
Dry socket |
Dislodging the blood clot |
Severe pain, bad breath |
Infection |
Bacteria entering the wound |
Fever, pus, swelling |
Delayed healing |
Reduced blood supply |
Prolonged pain, slow recovery |
Trust us, a case of dry socket is a surefire way to harsh your mellow. This painful condition occurs when the protective blood clot gets dislodged, exposing the sensitive nerves underneath. Smoking can increase the risk of dry socket by:
Just say no to cotton mouth and yes to a cozy blood clot, at least for a few days.
So how long do you need to press pause on puffing? While everyone heals at their own pace, dentists generally recommend waiting at least 48 to 72 hours before smoking weed (or anything else). This gives your gums time to start healing and reduces the risk of complications.
Some smokers may want to wait even longer, up to a week or more, to be on the safe side. Listen to your body (and your dentist) and don’t rush back into toking if you’re still feeling tender.
We get it, going cold turkey on cannabis can be a bummer, especially when you’re dealing with post-surgery discomfort. Luckily, there are ways to enjoy the benefits of weed without risk of dry socket:
Of course, it’s always wise to check with your dentist or doctor before using any cannabis products while recovering from surgery.
In addition to laying off the weed for a bit, there are plenty of things you can do to help speed up healing and avoid complications after wisdom tooth removal:
Most folks bounce back from wisdom tooth surgery just fine, but always contact your dentist if you experience severe pain, excessive bleeding, fever, or other unusual symptoms.
Getting your wisdom teeth out is no picnic, but with a little R&R and TLC (and maybe some THC), you’ll be back to your regular toking routine before you know it. Just remember to give your gums a little break from smoking in those first crucial days to avoid painful pitfalls like dry socket.
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