When Can You Use a Straw After Tooth Extraction?
As periodontal professionals, we try to arm our patients with knowledge and tips that they can use to help their bodies heal as quickly and effectively as possible.
If you have had a tooth extracted recently, you may be tempted to use a straw during most of your meals. After all, we ask you to consume soft foods and liquids for at least a week following the procedure. However, using a straw too soon can cause unpleasant complications (which we will discuss below).
This article will answer your straw-related questions and provide tips on how you can speed up your healing process.
When can you use a straw after tooth extraction?
It’s best to avoid using a straw for at least one full week (7 days) after your tooth extraction.
If your procedure was more complex—like a wisdom tooth removal or surgical extraction—your dentist may advise waiting 10 to 14 days before it’s safe to use one again.
Why the wait? It's all about protecting the healing site and avoiding complications.
Why you shouldn’t use a straw the week after a tooth extraction
After a tooth is extracted, the body starts to heal itself. A blood clot is formed to protect and cover the tooth removal site. In many ways, the clot works like a natural padded bandaid protecting the bone and sensitive nerve endings underneath.
If you use a straw too soon, the suction can pull that clot out of place. This exposes the socket and can lead to dry socket, a painful condition that complicates the healing process and often requires further intervention.
Dry socket
Dry socket isn’t just uncomfortable—it can cause:
• Throbbing pain at the extraction site
• Pain that can involve the jaw or ears
• Unpleasant taste or odor in the mouth
• Delayed healing and risk of infection
Avoiding straws is one of the simplest ways to reduce your chances of developing dry socket.
What can you do to help the area heal?
While straws are off the table for a while, there are plenty of things you can do to help your mouth heal efficiently:
1. Keep your head elevated: Prop your head up when resting or sleeping. It helps reduce swelling and bleeding.
2. Eat the right foods: Stick with soft, easy-to-chew foods for the first few days.
Good choices include:
• Applesauce
• Yogurt
• Scrambled eggs
• Mashed potatoes
• Smoothies (just make sure to skip the straw!)
3. Stay hydrated—but sip gently: Drinking fluids is essential, but sip slowly from a cup or bottle. No straws, and avoid hot drinks or carbonated beverages for the first 2 days.
4. Use an ice pack: Applying a cold pack on your cheek for 15–20 minutes at a time (especially in the first 2 days) can help with swelling and discomfort.
5. Don’t smoke or vape: Much like straws, smoking and vaping create suction, which can pull the clot off the socket and increase the chance of infection. It’s best to avoid these altogether while healing.
Practical alternatives to using a straw
If you are accustomed to using a straw, quitting cold turkey can be inconvenient, especially when much of your diet consists of smoothies and soft foods. For those who are struggling, here are a few straw alternatives for you to consider:
• Drink from a standard cup, but do so a lot slower than you usually do.
• Use a water bottle with a no-suction spout
• For thicker liquids, try using a spoon instead of a straw
These alternatives will help you stay comfortable and hydrated without putting your recovery at risk.
Be patient with the healing process
To sum it up: Wait at least 7 days to use a straw, and possibly longer if advised by your dentist or periodontist. While this may seem like a small detail, it can aid the recovery process immensely.
We are here to help throughout your recovery
Whether you are a current patient or have had a tooth extracted elsewhere, we are here to support you through the healing process. Our office can answer any questions and provide tips on how to make your recovery as seamless as possible. Feel free to reach out.
Contact our office today to schedule a consultation or follow-up. We’re always happy to help guide you through the recovery process, so you can get back to feeling like yourself again.